Hong Kong-based China Star Entertainment Group has finalised a US$30m three-year output deal with pay-TV provider Star TV for 100 films to be produced under its One Hundred Years Of Films production banner.

Star is taking pay-TV rights for Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan on the titles. About a dozen directors have signed to make films including Ringo Lam, Gordon Chan, and Johnnie To, who was voted best director for his work on The Mission at the most recent Hong Kong film awards. Their efforts will expand China Star's slate from about 12 to 30 films per year but the company will continue to acquire independent titles.

One of the first films to be delivered to Star TV will be To's romance Needing You, which stars Andy Lau and famous performer Sammi Cheng.

One Hundred Years Of Films is headed by Chinese filmmaker Tsui Hark, a former action director for Jackie Chan. He is currently in Beijing directing the US$8m The Legend Of Zu, a sci-fi action picture about a legendary warrior. Next on his slate is Black Mask II, then The Old Master Q, an animation based on old Hong Kong comic books.