U.S. China Film & TV Industry Expo Partners With Variety for Second Annual Gathering

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 27, 2015) -  The U.S. China Film & TV Industry (UCFTI) Expo is honored to announce its partnership with Variety for the second annual coming together of industry leaders, September 28-29, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. In tandem with the rapid globalization of entertainment content, the UCFTI Expo seeks to bridge the gap between the U.S. and China, facilitating mutually beneficial relationships within the two countries' film and television industries.

"Last year's Expo provided a great base for starting these important conversations," said Bianca Chen, CEO of the UCFTI Expo. "With Variety by our side as a co-partner for this year's Expo, we are confident that this year will be even more beneficial in allowing both the U.S. and China to take advantages of each other's strengths and resources."

In partnership with Variety, the UCFTI Expo is slated to feature prominent executives and representatives on panels discussing the future of content delivery; deal-making and financing sponsored by O'Melveny and Myers LLP; exhibition and distribution; and the future of filmmaking between Hollywood and China. One-on-one engagements with prominent industry leaders and sessions with industry guilds, including the Producer's Guild of America (PGA) and Writer's Guild of America (WGA), will complement the two-day series of panels. Confirmed speakers include James Fong, President, Oriental Dreamworks; Clark Xu, Managing Director, China Media Capital; Shan Dongbing, Executive President, Fosun Pictures; David Glasser, COO, The Weinstein Company; John Rogovin, EVP and General Counsel, Warner Bros. Entertainment; William Pfeiffer, CEO, Dragongate; Marc Ganis, Co-founder, Jiaflix; Stephen Scharf, Partner, O'Melveny and Myers, amongst others.

"Variety is honored to serve as the media partner for the U.S. China Film & Television Industry Expo," says Michelle Sobrino, Publisher of Variety. "China is the most exciting market for content creators and distributors given its innovations in story-telling and distribution, and the rapid growth of both local and international media consumption. Variety takes great pride in our role as the editorial bridge between China's media and entertainment communities and their Western counterparts."

New for 2015, the UCFTI Expo partnered with the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts to host an exclusive film competition. As the Expo and Variety look toward the future of collaboration between the two leading entertainment markets, attention will also be given to this upcoming generation of filmmakers that will be immersed within it. Culled down from 65 film submissions, three finalists will have the honor of having their short film shown on the afternoon of Sept. 29 before a panel of esteemed judges that includes Bianca Chen, CEO, UCFTI Expo; Justin Chang, Chief Film Critic, Variety; Michael Peyser, producer and USC professor; Nina Bongiovi, producer and USC alumni. The grand prize winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip to China. Runners up will receive a cash prize in addition to the multitude of valuable connections made at the Expo.

Speaking opportunities for the second annual UCFTI Expo are still open. To submit for consideration, please contact ucftiexpo@finnpartners.com with qualifications and topic of expertise.

To learn more about the Expo, exhibiting, sponsoring or attending, please visit ucftiexpo.com.

About the UCFTI Expo
The UCFTI Expo, taking place September 28 and 29, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, will bring together top executives, creative teams, producers and marketers from the world's two leading film/TV markets to tackle the big issues and tough questions related to U.S. China collaboration. Expo participants will gain insights and contacts to help them successfully do business in each other's markets. The program is designed to bridge cultural differences and foster real exchange and collaboration among potential creative and business partners. For more information, please visit ucftiexpo.com.

About Variety
Variety and Variety.com provide the industry with the most comprehensive coverage of motion pictures, television and the digital space. With respected and experienced news reporters in Los Angeles, New York and around the world, Variety marries its historic coverage of the entertainment business with a technologically advanced website and new weekly print edition, offering readers the in-depth news coverage needed to remain competitive in the ever-changing entertainment industry. The Variety Group -- Variety, Variety.com, Variety Insight, LA 411, NY 411 -- is owned by Variety Media, LLC, a division of Penske Media Corporation.