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“The Queens of 147,” a feature-length documentary tracking the parallel lives of two Chinese women in professional and amateur snooker, has been selected for the third edition of the “Image Possibilities Coproduction
Plan” WIP program at the Shanghai TV Festival.
Developed and produced by U.K.-China Film Collab, the project follows world champion Bai Yulu on the international professional circuit in the U.K. and an amateur player named Tian navigating China’s underground snooker scene. The film examines ambition, identity, gender, and cultural exchange through the sport’s long-running ties between Britain and China.
Director Lea Pan, who trained in the U.K., will present the project at the coproduction forum on June 23.
Pan said: “This film is about far more than sport. Through these women’s stories, we explore perseverance, belonging, and the changing cultural relationship between China and the U.K. We are honored that the WIP program has recognized the project’s potential and look forward to sharing it with international sales agents and distributors.”
Executive producer Hiu Man Chan, who originated the project, added: “‘The Queens of 147’ represents the type of cross-cultural storytelling we are committed to developing through U.K.-China Film Collab. Snooker has become an extraordinary bridge between Britain and China via Hong Kong, and this film highlights voices that have too often been overlooked within that story. We are delighted to bring the project to the Shanghai TV Festival. I have always felt the absence of women in this sport as an amateur player myself.”
Currently in production, the film has shot footage from tournaments in both the U.K. and China, with backing from the World Snooker Tour and the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. It is being positioned for international festival, broadcast, and platform distribution.
The Shanghai TV Festival runs contiguously with the Shanghai International Film Festival.
