A significant collaboration has emerged in the entertainment industry as Salty Pictures, a film and television studio based in Hong Kong, has entered into a first-look agreement with Damai Entertainment, a prominent Chinese entertainment entity formerly known as Alibaba Pictures. This strategic partnership is poised to foster the creation of a diverse portfolio of films with strong Chinese origins, yet designed to resonate with audiences worldwide. The inaugural project under this exciting new deal will be a Mandarin-language reimagining of the acclaimed Thai coming-of-age dramedy, 'Not Friends'. This film notably served as Thailand's official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards, highlighting its critical acclaim and universal themes.

The adapted version of 'Not Friends' will transport the narrative from a Thai high school setting to a university environment within a fictional Chinese city, while retaining the core story arc that captivated audiences in its original form. This localized approach aims to maintain the emotional depth and comedic elements that made the initial film a success, while introducing cultural nuances relevant to its new setting.

Driving the creative direction for this new slate of productions, particularly the 'Not Friends' adaptation, will be Gao Xiaosong, a versatile figure in Chinese entertainment. With a career spanning decades, Gao has made significant contributions as a songwriter, filmmaker, television host, and producer. His past achievements include folk music hits in the 1990s and executive producer roles on internationally recognized projects like '3 Body Problem' and the feature film 'My Old Classmate.' His previous experience as chief content officer at Alibaba Media and Entertainment Group further underscores his expertise and influence within the industry.

Adding further creative prowess to the team, Baz Poonpiriya, celebrated director of 'Bad Genius' and 'One for the Road', is also set to join the project as a producer. His involvement is expected to bring a fresh perspective and artistic vision to the adaptation, ensuring a high-quality cinematic experience. Financial backing for the film will be provided by Damai Entertainment, demonstrating their commitment to this new venture. The production of the Chinese adaptation is scheduled to commence later this year in Hangzhou, with casting currently underway to assemble a talented ensemble for the much-anticipated film.

Jonah Greenberg, the chief of Salty Pictures and a seasoned producer with credits like 'Cave Rescue' and 'Shadow', expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. He emphasized that this agreement with Damai Entertainment marks a crucial step for Salty Pictures, reinforcing their dedication to developing pan-Asian stories that possess universal appeal. Greenberg noted that 'Not Friends' is particularly well-suited for this collaboration, as its narrative has already resonated with a broad audience, and they anticipate it will continue to connect across different cultures. He highlighted Salty's proactive approach in acquiring remake rights through established relationships within the Thai film industry, underscoring their identity as a pan-Asian studio that actively bridges languages, borders, and traditions to bring compelling stories to the screen.

Damai Entertainment positions itself as a technology-driven enterprise focused on creating immersive entertainment experiences. Their extensive operations encompass various facets of the entertainment sector, including film production, live performances, intellectual property commercialization, television series, artist representation, and ticketing services. The recent launch of their mobile application further enhances their offerings, providing convenient access to ticketing and content discovery for their audience. Meanwhile, GDH, the original producer of 'Not Friends', stands as a fully integrated Thai studio with a remarkable track record of international success. Their notable films include 'Bad Genius' (2017), which notably opened the New York Asian Film Festival, 'The Paradise of Thorns' (2024), an award-winner at the LGBT+ Film Festival in Poland and a selection for the Toronto International Film Festival, and 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' (2024), which achieved the distinction of being the first Thai film to make the 15-film shortlist for the Academy Awards' international feature category.