China opens largest Tibetan movie production base

China today opened the largest movie production base in the picturesque Tibetan region to cater to the demands of a growing number of youths interested in the industry and promote films based on Tibetan themes.
The Qiongqing Movie Base, covering an area of 10,000 square metres, has been establised in Tongde County of Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province.
It will provide settings for movies, organise training and offer services in production of films, particularly those with Tibetan themes, said Sonam Rinchenga, manager of the base.
The movie base belongs to a private company, though the project has been supported by the local county government.

Within a 100-kilometre radius, movie-makers can find varied landscapes of Mount Anyemaqen, Tongde Prairie, Madoi wetland and desert parks, all pristine scenery for photographers, said the manager.
"River," an award-winning movie by Tibetan director Sonthar Gyal in 2015, was shot on the Tongde Prairie, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Tibetan movie-making has developed rapidly in the past few years and a growing number of young people have shown interest in the industry.
But most movie-making equipment needs to be brought in from Beijing or Shanghai, so base will help film-makers save costs, Sonam said.
"I hope more movies on Tibetan culture, lives and stories will be produced," he said.