Celestial Pictures Limited
IndustryEntertainment
Founded2000 (2000)
Headquarters
Hong Kong
,
Hong Kong
OwnerAstro Overseas Limited
SubsidiariesCelestial Tiger Entertainment (JV)
Websitewww.celestialpictures.com

Celestial Pictures is a diversified entertainment based company focusing on Asian-language film and television content including production, aggregation, distribution, and the operation of TV channels.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, the company owns the world's largest Chinese film collection including the Shaw Brothers film library. Celestial Pictures is restoring the Shaw Brothers' movies and distributing them to cinemas and the worldwide television and home video markets.

History

It purchased the Shaw Brothers film library in 2000 when it was then called "East Asia Filmed Entertainment Ltd" and owned by the Malaysian media group Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd, which in turn controlled by Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd (a Malaysian investment holding company). In 2001, under the Chinese name 星藝映畫, it produced two films, namely Comic King (漫畫風雲) and Stowaway (驚天大逃亡). It took up the current Chinese name 天映娛樂 in 2002.

Television channels

Celestial’s television channel operations include Celestial Movies; Celestial Movies Asia, which screens Japanese and Korean blockbusters; Celestial Classic Movies, which features Chinese classic films including the Shaw Brothers film collection; and WATA, a Chinese infotainment channel dedicated to a new reflection of modern China. Also Shaw Bros. movies distributed by Celestial are shown in America on El Rey Network as part of its "Flying Five Finger One Armed Eight Pole Shaolin Exploding Death Touch Tuesdays" block.

Film and television content acquisition

Besides the library and TV networks, Celestial Pictures produces and acquires feature films and hundreds of hours of television programs each year, including television dramas, children's programs, animation, and documentaries for their channels and worldwide distribution.

Celestial Pictures is a wholly owned subsidiary of Astro Overseas Ltd, owned by Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd.

References

    1. All The Content (2008), All The Content, Celestial Pictures to offer Mobile Content in Europe Inks Agreement with AllTheContent to Distribute Kung Fu Clips, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.allthecontent.com/news/celestial-pictures-to-offer-mobile-content-in-europe-inks-agreement-with-allthecontent-to-distribute-kung-fu-clips.html
    2. Celestial Pictures (2002), Celestial Pictures Newsroom, Celestial Pictures Tributes Shaw Brothers Films At Gala Reception to Celebrate the Cinematic Re-release and Video Launch of the Shaw Brothers Movies, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.celestialpictures.com/level3_recentnews.cfm?l_news_id=153
    3. Celestial Pictures (2002), Celestial Pictures Newsroom, Celestial Pictures presents Shaw Brothers Masterpieces Digitally Restored Press Conference, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.celestialpictures.com/level3_recentnews.cfm?l_news_id=154
    4. Celestial Pictures (2003), Celestial Pictures Newsroom, Celestial Movies Launches the World's First Global 24-hour Chinese Movie Channel in Hong Kong on exTV, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.celestialpictures.com/level3_recentnews.cfm?l_news_id=130
    5. Celestial Pictures (2004), Celestial Pictures Newsroom, Celestial Pictures' China-Content Infotainment Channel Launches in Southeast Asia, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.celestialpictures.com/level3_recentnews.cfm?l_news_id=122
    6. Celestial Pictures (2009), Celestial Pictures Newsroom, retrieved on June 17, 2009, https://web.archive.org/web/20090731115720/http://www.celestialpictures.com/level2_newsroom.cfm
    7. Hong Kong Cinema (2009), Hong Kong Cinema - Shaw Brothers News - Celestial, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.hkcinema.co.uk/Articles/shawbronewsq12002.html
    8. Information Services Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Celestial Pictures Limited donates film library to HK Film Archive (with photos), retrieved June 17, 2009, http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200904/30/P200904300175.htm
    9. Mark Pollard, Kung Fu Cinema (2009), Celestial Pictures: Kung Fu Cinema, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.kungfucinema.com/tag/celestial-pictures
    10. Mark Pollard, Kung Fu Cinema (2009), Celestial Pictures: Kung Fu Cinema, Celestial donates Shaw library to HK Film Archive, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.kungfucinema.com/celestial-donates-shaw-library-to-hk-film-archive-6972
    11. Mark Pollard, Kung Fu Cinema (2009), Celestial Pictures: Kung Fu Cinema, Shaw films leave U.S. and head to Russia, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.kungfucinema.com/shaw-films-pack-up-in-us-and-head-to-russia-4361
    12. Frater, Patrick (August 2, 2008). "Celestial films legal in Internet cafes". Variety. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
    13. Frater, Patrick (August 14, 2008). "Celestial signs trio of video deals". Variety. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
    14. Frater, Patrick (March 16, 2008). "Celestial's 'Yellow' set for Blu-Ray". Variety. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
    15. Frater, Patrick (April 11, 2008). "Now TV adds two Celestial channels". Variety. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
    16. Rothrock, Vicki (April 15, 2007). "Celestial boosts distribution business". Variety. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
    17. Lim, Marcus (January 6, 2009). "Viasat takes Shaw Bros. classics". Variety. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
    18. Screen International (2007), Screen International, Celestial Pictures launches kung-fu mobile TV channel, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.screendaily.com/celestial-pictures-launches-kung-fu-mobile-tv-channel/4033356.article
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