Chinese kids films receive poor response during Children's Day

Chinese cinemas around the country are showing a batch of newly-released domestic children's films. But many of them have received a luke warm response from parents and kids alike.

Among the new entries are Student Jia Li, based on the children's book of the same name. It's an inspiring tale of youth, dreams and self-improvement. Animation film Little Elf Zhuoma combines Tibetan folklore with ancient mysteries. An acrobatic comedy by the Guangzhou Soldiers Acrobatics Troupe provides some jaw-dropping stunts in the film "Acrobatic Elf".

Set against the spectacular scenery of the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve in southwestern China's Sichuan province, Touch of the Panda stars sixteen pandas in their first ever screen adventure.

But despite the wide range of offerings, none of the children interviewed at this UME Cinema on Sunday morning had chosen to watch a domestic film.

Ticket sales shows that on Thursday, the Touch of the Panda had just ten audience members, Little Elf Zhuoma had four, and the Acrobatic Elf a measly two. In other cinemas, showings of domestic films were cancelled due to a lack of interest.

An audience member said, "The pictures are quite poor, and the sound is loud so my child is scared."

But despite the bleak overall picture, one domestic film is making a huge impact. Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf is riding on the popularity of the animation series of the same title, garnering over ninety million yuan RMB at the box office this year. The film is being re-screened during the June 1st holiday.

Chinese filmmakers hope the example of Pleasant Goat can be replicated in the future as they hope to crack the children's market.