Youku teams with Shanghai to build film production center

The Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and TV will collaborate with Youku Tudou Inc to build a production center to create more micro movies and online series, officials said at 17th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Gu Yongqiang, CEO of Youku Tudou Inc, said the idea behind the center it to create a base to produce outstanding original content in a variety of formats. They will also fund and nurture emerging filmmakers.

With more than 400 million users, Youku Tudou has invested in and produced many homegrown movies such as "Old Boys" and Ann Hui's "The Golden Era."

According to Hu Jinjun, director of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and TV, the center will be located in the China (Shanghai) Network Audio-Visual Industry base, which will open in October at the Zizhu National Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone.

"The center will explore new models of production, technological innovation and marketing," said Hu. "It will also be a platform to foster young Chinese talents."