We are proud to announce that Lilja Ingolfsdottir’s debut feature LOVEABLE has officially passed through China’s quota system and is set for a wide theatrical release through distributor BlueMedia Times this upcoming Friday September 5th. The film will premiere on approximately 3,000 screens across China.
This achievement marks a significant breakthrough in one of the world’s most tightly regulated film markets. Successfully navigating quota system is rare, and a strong indicator of the film’s cross-cultural appeal and universal storytelling.
"Being selected for theatrical release in China is a great milestone and happens rarely to foreign art house films," said Nicolai Korsgaard, Sales Director at TrustNordisk. "It reflects not only the quality and resonance of the film but also the growing interest in global stories among Chinese audiences, something we haven’t seen at this scale since before the COVID-19 pandemic."
LOVEABLE is a heartfelt interpersonal drama where 40-year-old Maria, mother of four, is struggling to save her marriage. The film world premiered at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Crystal Globe main competition in 2024, where it had five major wins. Along with the Special Jury Prize and the Award for Best Actress (Helga Guren), the film also took home the Europa Cinemas Label Jury Award, the FIPRESCI Jury Award, and the Ecumenical Jury Award.
This year in April, LOVEABLE also emerged as the biggest winner at the 15th edition of the Beijing International Film Festival, where it secured four prestigious Tiantan Awards, including Best Feature Film and Best Director.
With its theatrical release across thousands of screens in China, LOVEABLE joins a select group of international films granted access to China’s lucrative box office, offering massive exposure. The release positions LOVEABLE as a powerful contender on the global stage and strengthens cultural bridges through storytelling.
Synopsis
Maria must come to terms with herself when her husband says that he wants a divorce.
An interpersonal film about a break-up, but also a woman´s opportunity for self-knowledge, growth and having to deal with unconscious and dysfunctional patterns in herself.
LOVEABLE is directed and written by Lilja Ingolfsdottir, produced by Thomas Robsahm for Nordisk Film Production A/S and Amarcord with support from the Norwegian Film Institute, as part of the Neo Talent Programme. Local distribution by Nordisk Film Distribution. International sales handled by TrustNordisk.