Recently, the Provincial Department of Finance and the Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department jointly issued the new "Provincial-Level National Film Industry Development Special Fund Management Measures" (hereinafter referred to as the "New Measures"). The new measures add funding for directions such as the application of high and new film technologies, film promotion and distribution, and film market consumption. Simultaneously, the minimum box office threshold for film rewards has been raised to 50 million yuan. The National Film Industry Development Special Fund is a government fund project established by the central finance, contributed by for-profit film screening units at a rate of 5% of their box office revenue. Of this, 40% is paid into the central-level finance, and 60% is paid into the provincial-level finance, primarily used for expenditures related to the development of the film industry.
As an update to the "Old Measures," the New Measures closely align with the decision-making and deployment to accelerate the construction of a culturally strong province and the deep integration of culture and tourism. They clarify the scope of use, allocation and issuance, fund management, and performance supervision of the provincial-level film special funds, and have made adjustments to the support directions. The New Measures will take effect from December 31, 2025, and will be valid for 5 years.
Specifically, support for content creation has been expanded, with a greater emphasis on content and technological innovation. In terms of funding types, the New Measures, for the first time, include science-fiction films, science and technology innovation integration films that utilize AI and VR technologies to assist creation, and outstanding original films by young film talents into the scope of funding. These will receive funding for distribution, screening, promotion, and marketing, alongside outstanding films of other types such as major revolutionary and historical theme films organized around the broader context of propaganda and ideological work, and films with cultural characteristics and artistic innovation.
Regarding reward standards, the New Measures simplify the previous tiered box office rules and raise the "starting line" for film rewards from 30 million yuan to 50 million yuan: films with a first-run box office between 50 million yuan and 500 million yuan will receive a one-time reward. For films with a box office exceeding 500 million yuan, the "Sichuan Province Major Literary and Artistic Project Support and Outstanding Work Reward Measures" will apply. This means a reward of 4 million yuan for a first-run cumulative box office reaching 500 million yuan (inclusive) but less than 1 billion yuan, and a reward of 6 million yuan for a first-run cumulative box office reaching 1 billion yuan (inclusive) or more.
To stimulate vitality in the film market, the New Measures, for the first time, list "funding to promote film market consumption" as an independent support direction, explicitly providing subsidies for province-wide film consumption promotion activities. In the field of film exchange and promotion, the New Measures focus on branded and large-scale activities. On one hand, they fund internationally or nationally recognized film festivals (exhibitions) held consecutively within the province, or support delegations from provincial units participating in international film festivals (exhibitions), helping to enhance the quality and upgrade local film and television exchange platforms. On the other hand, they fund promotional activities for key thematic film projects, supporting related film projects' participation in exhibitions, award competitions, and other exchange and promotion activities, thereby building bridges for Sichuan films to "go global."
Regarding cinemas, the New Measures specify support for cinema operations and the development of high and new film technologies from three aspects: facility renewal, box office incentives, and technological upgrades. Specifically, for cinemas that have been officially operating for a certain number of years and have upgraded their facilities and equipment, the New Measures will provide funding based on a certain percentage of their box office revenue from the previous year. A comprehensive ranking will be calculated based on the previous year's box office revenue (60% weight) and box office growth rate (40% weight) of all cinemas in the province, with rewards given to cinemas ranking at the top. For film and television enterprises purchasing and using advanced film intelligent production technology, virtual reality film general technology, film virtual production technology, high-format film production and projection technology, and film visual effects technology, funding will be provided based on a certain percentage of the actual purchase cost of the technological equipment.
It is important to note that the cinemas mentioned in the document refer to those operating in Sichuan that contribute to the National Film Industry Development Special Fund, are affiliated with a theater chain, and have film projectors of 2K resolution or higher. The films refer to domestic films that are legally registered, approved, and have obtained a film release permit in Sichuan. Furthermore, to ensure policy continuity, the New Measures specify that newly built cinemas and township cinemas established during the validity period of the Old Measures can continue to apply for "newly built cinema" and "township cinema" subsidies according to the provisions of that old measure.
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