South-East Asia’s mm2 entertainment and mainland Chinese partners have started shooting a feature starring the contestants of TV reality talent show The Voice Of China.

Directed by Singapore’s Chai Yee-wei, the film entitled I Want You is produced by Star China Media, Zhejiang Star TV, Beijing Enlight Pictures and mm2 Shanghai.

Principal photography started today (Oct 10) in the city of Sanya in China’s Hainan Island, coinciding with the Sanya Beach Music Festival, which will feature in the film. The story revolves around a group of young aspiring singers.

Chai is working with DoP Derrick Loo, who he worked with on his previous three features Blood Ties, Twisted and That Girl In Pinafore. The crew also includes Singaporean music director Eric Ng who is rearranging cover songs and writing the film’s theme song.

“The last two seasons of The Voice of China have been closely watched and followed by many audiences outside China for the past two years. We are proud to be associated in this prestigious project,” said mm2 entertainment executive director Melvin Ang.

The film is scheduled for Christmas release in China and Jan 2014 in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.