HOYTS Cinemas has partnered with newly established film distributor Pacific Lantern to bring a broader range of Chinese-language cinema to audiences across Australia and New Zealand, beginning with the Australian premiere of Once Upon a Time in the Middle East.
The partnership will support the distribution and exhibition of Chinese-language films across the HOYTS circuit, providing audiences with greater access to stories that combine artistic excellence, commercial appeal and cultural resonance.
The Australian premiere of Once Upon a Timer in the Middle East will be hosted at HOYTS Melbourne Central in partnership with the Victorian Chinese Community Association, supporting greater connection between Chinese-language cinema and local communities.
HOYTS Group CEO and President Damian Keogh said the partnership reflects HOYTS’ commitment to providing audiences with a diverse range of stories and cinematic experiences.
“We are proud to support Pacific Lantern and create opportunities for Chinese-language stories to reach a broader audience across Australia and New Zealand,” Damian said.
“Cinema has an important role to play bringing communities together and introducing audiences to new perspectives. Partnerships like this allow us to strengthen cultural connections while giving more people the opportunity to experience great films on the big screen.”
Pacific Lantern is an extension of Ruyi Film, marking a new chapter for the company as it expands beyond China’s national film production and exhibition landscape. Combining Ruyi Film’s strong content pipeline and HOYTS’ established cinema network and local market expertise, Pacific Lantern will serve as a bridge between Chinese cinema and international audiences, bringing diverse Chinese stories to a broader global stage.
The premiere event will feature media interviews, photo opportunities, official speeches, and a special screening of Once Upon a Time in the Middle East in HOYTS APEX. The night will bring together industry representatives, community leaders and local audiences to celebrate the growing presence of Chinese-language cinema in Australia.
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