HIGHER REQUIREMENTS FOR ACTORS
The law specified that actors, directors and other staff should be "excellent in both moral integrity and film art," maintain self-disciplined and build a positive public image.
The past few years have seen a string of arrests of high-profile film celebrities involved in drug abuse and prostitution.
In 2014, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) banned screenings involving anybody who had engaged in criminal activity.
The media watchdog is also establishing a "professional ethics committee," aiming to guide organizations and people in the radio, film and media circles to practice "core socialist values."
Actress Qin Yi, 95, said all actors, as public figures, should take responsibilities for their words and deeds, adding that the law will spur actors to improve their morals and professionalism, which is good for the entire industry.
FEWER APPROVALS, MORE INVESTMENT
The law delegates the central government's power of film censorship to provincial-level governments and cuts several approval items.
"Cutting red tape and motivating the market is the trend for promoting reform in the industry," said the SAPPRFT deputy head Yan Xiaohong.
In the first half of 2016, 209 films were registered for shooting in Shanghai. The finished films numbered 52, more than for the whole of 2015.
Yan said the law features a combination of delegating power and improved management, calling for stronger training of censorship staff and regulation of censorship standards.
The central government will increase investment in the film industry and reduce taxation, according to the law.
It encourages financial institutions to offer financing services and loans for the industry's development.
Local governments are urged to ensure land supply for theaters and encourage theaters' construction and renovation.
China has nearly 40,000 screens for commercial operation, increasing from 7,700 screens in 2015, an average of 25 new screens per day, according to China Film News.
The law also encourages overseas investment from Chinese film makers' by co-producing films, and promises to support their overseas trade and financing.
Theaters should ensure that domestic films' screening time is no less than two thirds of the annual screening time of all films.
Domestic films need protection, which is a common international practise, Ren said.
