Alibaba Pictures, the Alibaba-backed entertainment firm, announced the launch of a $300 million USD investment fund on Monday, aimed at building assets across the television and film production chain.
The Hainan Pictures Entertainment Industry Investment Fund will be managed by China-based Wuhu Gopher Asset Management, a division of Noah Holdings Ltd.
In 2013 Gopher Asset Management participated in a similar 1 billion yuan ($150 million USD) fund on behalf of Bona Film Group, together with Alibaba stakeholder Sequoia Capital.
Bona, which held a 30 percent stake in the aforementioned fund, has since delisted, with Alibaba taking on an approximate 9 percent stake in the film company.
According to a filing made to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Monday, Alibaba Pictures’ latest fund will “invest in companies along the value chain of the movie and TV entertainment industry.”
Alibaba Pictures have been investing aggressively in building out assets across the film and television production line. The firm recently purchased a stake in cinema management company Guangdong Dadi Cinema Construction, marking their first foray into physical cinemas. The entertainment giant also recently announced they are currently working on 17 film titles and two television programs.
The fund’s public launch comes just days after Alibaba Pictures warned of increased losses due to the unexpected cost of marketing their newly rebranded ticketing platform, Tao Piao Piao. Corresponding with a significant downturn in China’s box office sales, Alibaba Pictures expects to post up to $58 million USD in losses.