Pan-Asian broadcaster Star Group has announced the renewalof the output deal between its Star Chinese Movies channel and Hong Kongproduction and distribution company China Star.

Under the new multi-million US dollar agreement, StarChinese Movies has exclusive pay-TV broadcast, video-on-demand and pay-per-viewrights to the Chinese films produced by China Star in the next five years. Theterritories covered are Hong Kong, Macau,Taiwan, Singapore and the Philippines.

China Star chairman Charles Heung, who signed the agreementwith Star COO Steve Askew, said: "Star Chinese Movies has been an effectiveplatform to extend our audience beyond the silver screen."

China Star has also unveiled a slate of eight upcomingprojects which will be covered under the new output deal.

These include Fantasiadirector Wai Ka-Fai's Shopaholicsstarring Cecilia Cheung, Lau Ching-Wan and Hong Kong diva Paula Tsui Siu-Fungin a comeback role. The picture is set for 2006 Chinese New Year.

Also starring Cheung is MyGirl is a Kung Fu Master, a HK$30 million romantic comedy directed by WongJing and Liao Zhai (Chinese Ghost Story:Painted Skin) by Jingle Ma.

Johnnie To (Election)will direct an untitled triad drama while Marco Mak pairs Tony Leung Ka-Fai andFrancis Ng in The Perfect Deception,a modern version of The Sting. Mak isalso attached to direct thriller The ComeBack starring Jordan Chan.

Rounding up the slate are drama Karmic Mahjong and cop comedy TheHanky Panky Cop.