Beijing-based Stellar Megamedia has boarded Hong Kong film-maker Dennis Chan’s 37, making it the first project from the Hong Kong Film: New Action campaign to secure a mainland co-producer.

Stellar will co-produce the $1.46m (RMB10m) film with Hong Kong-based Manner Movie. Starring Charlie Yeung, it starts shooting this week in Inner Mongolia.

Launched by the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), the New Action campaign aims to help small and medium-budget Hong Kong films expand into the mainland and South-East Asian markets. The FDC is currently leading a delegation of Hong Kong film-makers to meet with the film industry in Beijing.

Chan’s 37 tells the story of a single mother taking her daughter on a trip to the Mongolian grasslands to fulfil the girl’s dream. It also stars Lin Miao-ke, the 10-year-old girl who earned her fame singing Ode To The Motherland at the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games. 

The film’s executive producer Frank Lee was previously involved in venture capital businesses before establishing Manner Movie in 2008. The company invested in UK film-maker Andrew Lang’s documentary Sons Of Cuba although 37 is its first in-house production.