GrX Studio amped for international growth with $45 million fund
In a bid to solidify its leadership in Taiwan’s vibrant film and TV production industry, GrX Studio has unveiled ambitious plans for international expansion. This announcement comes fresh off the heels of a bustling event coinciding with the Busan International Film Festival.
A major investment in diverse storytelling
GrX Studio has earmarked a significant investment—$45 million over five years—that will fund 15 Mandarin-language series and five horror films. This substantial financial injection is part of a new initiative known as “Asia Spring,” aimed at bolstering the company’s reach and influence across Asia.
Past success and future projects
Previously known as Greener Grass Productions, GrX Studio has a robust portfolio, including the highly successful Copycat Killer, a series that performed remarkably well on Netflix. At the launch event, the studio showcased a diverse slate of upcoming projects:
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The Outlaw Doctor: A gripping crime series featuring Taiwanese actor Ning Chang and Vietnamese star Lien Binh Phat, currently in post-production. GrX co-produced this with Public Television Service Foundation (PTS) and Chunghwa Telecom (CHT).
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The Photo from 1977: A romantic film starring Korean celebrity Jinyoung and Taiwan actress Moon Lee. The film’s development was facilitated by the Hakka Affairs Council and partially funded by the Hakka Public Communication Foundation.
A rich variety of genres
During the presentation, GrX Studio also confirmed the development of several intriguing titles that span various genres:
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Trapped in Yellow: A chilling horror film set to captivate audiences with its eerie storyline.
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Wild With You: A boys’ love (BL) feature film produced by Golden Bell Awards-winning producer Phoebe Ma.
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The Ones I Killed and the Ones Who Killed Me: An intense thriller series in development, adapted from a popular Japanese novel by Akira Higashiyama.
Historical and futuristic narratives
An upcoming historical series titled KOHAKU: The Traitor of the Night promises a fascinating journey between Taiwan and Japan. Directed by Lien Yi-chi and Kentaro Hagiwara, this show is set to consist of eight 45-minute episodes. If successful, it is slated for three seasons. The series explores themes of reconstruction and innovative visions for humanity’s future, offering viewers a blend of historical context and imaginative speculative fiction.
Reality and variety shows in the mix
GrX Studio is not just limiting its expansion to scripted series and films. They are also venturing into the world of reality and variety programming:
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Go! Go! Michelin: A reality food show that aims to delight culinary enthusiasts.
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SCOOL: A recently launched Taiwanese and K-pop variety show that GrX will handle for international distribution.
Strengthening collaborations across Asia
The “Asia Spring” initiative underscores GrX Studio’s commitment to fostering cross-border collaborations within Asia. “Through this initiative, we hope to invite exceptional filmmakers from various countries and regions to collaborate with us,” stated Dennis Wu, the strategy and chief investment officer. This movement aligns with a broader trend where Taiwanese companies are emerging as major contributors to Chinese-language productions, especially as other regions like mainland China and Hong Kong pivot in different directions.
Themes resonating throughout the slate
Wu highlighted that the current slate of projects revolves around central themes of comfort, exhilaration, and subversion. Such themes promise to engage a wide array of audiences, offering both familiarity and the unexpected. As they expand their network, GrX aims to build and stabilize their distribution channels across Taiwan, mainland China, and Singapore.
A new dawn for Asian co-productions
GrX Studio’s aggressive plans and diverse project lineup indicate a promising era for Asian co-productions. As they cement their position as a key player in the industry, the studio is poised to bring more innovative and culturally rich content to global audiences.
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