Shenzhen Yantian Whole-Area Film and Television Base Launches, Lawyer Interprets Compliance Risks in Film Investment and Production
On August 8, 2026, Yantian District of Shenzhen officially launched the "Digital-Intelligent Mountains & Seas · Light & Shadow Rainforest" comprehensive film and television base, marking the establishment of China's first "rainforest-style" comprehensive film and television industry cluster. The base leverages Yantian's real mountain-and-sea scenery, digital twin, virtual production, and AI computing power technologies to create an "open studio," and released seven major film and television IPs, including "Earth Cannon" and "Hunting Lies," attracting 13 film and television companies to sign contracts. This event is not only a milestone in Shenzhen's cultural industry but also involves multiple legal issues, including film and television investment, production compliance, intellectual property protection, digital asset ownership, and Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation. As a Shenzhen lawyer, this article will interpret the risks and opportunities behind the launch of the base from a legal perspective and provide compliance guidance for practitioners.
Film and Television Production Compliance: Legal Challenges from "Single Studio Zone" to "Whole-Region Opening"
Traditional film and television parks usually have clear physical boundaries and unified management, whereas the Yantian whole-region film and television base transforms the entire area into shooting scenes, involving issues such as the use of public spaces, environmental disturbance, and residents' rights and interests. Under Article 278 of the Civil Code, changing the use of commonly owned parts or using commonly owned parts for business activities requires a joint decision by the owners. When filming in open areas, permission from the relevant rights holders must be obtained; otherwise, it may constitute infringement. In addition, under Article 42 of the Environmental Protection Law, if filming activities generate pollution such as noise or waste, they must comply with environmental protection regulations, or administrative penalties may be imposed. Lawyers advise that production teams should sign detailed filming agreements with the Yantian District Government or the base operator, clarifying the scope of use, time, and compensation mechanisms, and handle necessary administrative approvals such as permits for temporary occupation of urban roads. Meanwhile, for matters involving drone aerial photography or the use of special props, compliance with the Regulations on the Control of General Aviation Flight and the administrative rules of public security departments is also required.
Film and Television IP Licensing and Copyright Protection: Examining Rights Ownership Definition Through *Earth Cannon*
The "Earth Cannon" and other IPs released by the base encompass diverse genres such as science fiction, animation, and suspense, with their core value lying in intellectual property. Under Article 17 of the Copyright Law, the copyright ownership of audiovisual works is determined by contract; in the absence of an agreement, it belongs to the producer. Therefore, during the IP incubation stage, all parties must clarify the copyright ownership of scripts, music, art, and other elements through contracts to avoid subsequent disputes. In particular, "Earth Cannon," as a large-space interactive film certified under the "film review virtual character" category, involves virtual scenes and digital characters that may constitute "audiovisual works" or "artistic works" under Article 3 of the Copyright Law, and timely copyright registration is necessary. Meanwhile, under Article 4 of the Trademark Law, IP names should be applied for trademark registration as early as possible to prevent preemptive registration. Lawyers advise that in IP licensing, the scope, duration, territory, and derivative development rights of the license must be clearly defined, along with breach clauses, to prevent unauthorized use beyond the agreed scope. For cross-border projects, attention should also be paid to the Berne Convention and the laws of target countries to ensure international alignment of copyright protection.
Digital Assets and Virtual Production: Legal Characterization Yet to Be Clarified
Yantian Base emphasizes digital twin, virtual production, and AI computing power. The digital assets generated by these technologies (such as virtual scenes and digital humans) currently lack clear legal classification. Under Article 127 of the Civil Code, data and online virtual property are protected by law, but specific rules remain to be refined. In virtual production, the copyright ownership of AI-generated content has become a focal point. According to Article 11 of the Copyright Law, the author is a natural person, legal person, or unincorporated organization, and AI tools cannot qualify as authors. Therefore, if a work is primarily generated by AI, its ownership of rights may give rise to disputes. Lawyers advise that enterprises should clearly stipulate the intellectual property ownership of AI-generated content in contracts and retain records of the creation process to demonstrate substantial human contribution. Additionally, transactions and
Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation and Cross-Border Issuance: Legal Risks and Responses
The Yantian base, adjacent to Hong Kong and Macau, is positioned as a core hub for Shenzhen-Hong Kong co-productions. Shenzhen-Hong Kong co-productions involve differences between the legal systems of the two places, such as the Copyright Ordinance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Copyright Law of the Mainland, which differ in terms of protection period and fair use. According to Article 48 of the Law on the Application of Laws to Foreign-Related Civil Relations, the ownership and content of intellectual property rights are governed by the law of the place where protection is sought. Therefore, co-produced films must clearly specify the applicable law and dispute resolution mechanism. In terms of cross-border distribution, compliance with the Film Administration Regulations and the Interim Provisions on Foreign-Invested Cinemas is required to ensure that content passes review. For overseas distribution, attention must also be paid to the Catalogue of Guiding for the Export of Cultural Products and Services and the import regulations of the target countries. Lawyers recommend that co-production projects establish a dedicated legal counsel to review co-production agreements, balance the rights and interests of both parties, and formulate tax planning plans to avoid double taxation. Meanwhile, for IP going global, international treaties such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) can
Film and Television Investment and Risk Control: Legal Protection from the Perspective of Contract Signing
At the base launch ceremony, 13 leading companies signed contracts covering investment, production, distribution, and other segments. Film and television investment is a high-risk industry. Investors must ensure that contracts are authentic and valid in accordance with Article 143 of the Civil Code. Contracts should clearly specify core terms such as investment amount, profit distribution, copyright ownership, and liability for breach of contract. Under Article 18 of the Film Management Regulations, film production requires obtaining a Film Production License, and investors should verify the qualifications of the production party. In addition, film and television projects are often operated through limited partnerships or corporate structures. Under the Partnership Enterprise Law or the Company Law, management authority, exit mechanisms, and liquidation rules must be clearly defined. Lawyers advise that investors should conduct due diligence, evaluate the project script, the core creative team, and market prospects, and set up valuation adjustment mechanism (VAM) clauses to reduce risk. For cross-border investment, consideration must also be given to foreign exchange controls and market access restrictions under the Foreign Investment Law.
Conclusion: Law Safeguards, the Future of Light and Shadow
The launch of the Yantian All-Area Film and Television Base has injected new momentum into Shenzhen's film and television industry, but opportunities come with challenges. Whether producers, investors, or IP rights holders, all should prioritize legal compliance—from contract signing to intellectual property protection, from digital assets to cross-border cooperation, every step requires professional legal support. Guangdong Zhiming Law Firm, with deep expertise in the cultural media legal field, can provide film and television enterprises with full-chain legal services, including contract review, IP strategy, dispute resolution, and cross-border compliance. We look forward to seeing the Yantian Base, under the safeguard of the rule of law, become a new benchmark for the film and television industry in the Greater Bay Area, empowering Chinese stories to reach the world.
