IM Global has launched a Beijing-based venture, Go Global, which aims to connect the booming Chinese film industry to the rest of the world, and will make its debut at the upcoming Venice Film Festival.

Headed by industry veteran Clement Magar (pictured), the new venture will maximise exposure of Chinese cinema overseas and represent non-Chinese films on the Chinese festival circuit.

Backed by the distribution experience and network of LA-based IM Global, Go Global will offer Chinese producers, financiers and talent a wide range of services including festival strategy, festival booking, festival media promotion and event production.

Go Global will kick off its activities at the Venice Film Festival, where it will be a sponsor of the Bridging The Dragon co-production event and be the press agent of Chinese-Italian co-production Coffee, which has been selected for the Venice Days section.

Leslie Chen, IM Global’s senior vice-president of sales and acquisitions, Asia, recently relocated from Beijing to Munich, where she will continue in her role.

The launch of Go Global is part of IM Global’s wider Chinese strategy, which has included the international distribution of several Chinese blockbusters including The Mermaid, Mojin: The Lost Legend, Mr. Six and Breakup Buddies, which have collectively grossed over $1bn.

In June 2016, LA and Shanghai-based Tang Media Partners (TMP) acquired a majority stake in IM Global and the two companies partnered with tech giant Tencent on a TV production and distribution joint venture. TMP has backers including Tencent, Neil Shen, Noah Holdings, China Media Capital and Huayi Brothers.