The newly established distributor, an extension of Ruyi Film, will launch its partnership with the exhibitor through the Australian premiere of ‘Once Upon a Time in the Middle East’ in Melbourne.

HOYTS Cinemas has partnered with newly established distributor Pacific Lantern in a move designed to expand the theatrical release of Chinese-language films across Australia and New Zealand.

The partnership will launch with the Australian premiere of Once Upon a Time in the Middle East at HOYTS Melbourne Central, presented in association with the Victorian Chinese Community Association.

Pacific Lantern is an extension of Ruyi Film and represents the company’s expansion beyond China’s domestic production and exhibition business into international film distribution.

The new operation will draw on Ruyi Film’s content pipeline and HOYTS’ cinema network and local market knowledge to distribute Chinese-language titles across Australia and New Zealand.

HOYTS Group CEO and President Damian Keogh said the partnership was part of the exhibitor’s strategy to broaden the range of films available to local audiences.

“We are proud to support Pacific Lantern and create opportunities for Chinese-language stories to reach a broader audience across Australia and New Zealand,” Keogh 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.”

For Pacific Lantern, the venture creates an integrated route between Chinese film production, international distribution and theatrical exhibition, with the company planning to develop relationships with cinemas, community organisations, media and cultural institutions throughout Australia and New Zealand.

The partnership also comes as exhibitors continue to look beyond traditional Hollywood releases for films capable of attracting specific communities and audiences to cinemas. Chinese-language cinema represents a significant opportunity in Australia and New Zealand, with Pacific Lantern positioning itself as a bridge between Chinese filmmakers and audiences in the region.

The Australian premiere of Once Upon a Time in the Middle East will include a screening in HOYTS APEX alongside appearances from industry and community representatives. The event will also feature media interviews and official presentations.

HOYTS operates more than 500 screens and 59,000 seats across Australia and New Zealand and describes itself as the region’s largest single-brand cinema exhibitor.

The companies have not yet announced which additional Chinese-language titles will follow Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, but Pacific Lantern says the partnership is intended to establish an ongoing pipeline of releases rather than a one-off theatrical event.

The distributor plans to use Ruyi Film’s industry resources alongside HOYTS’ exhibition network to bring a broader selection of Chinese films to cinemas across both markets.