Yu Dong

Yu Dong, born in 1971 in Beijing, graduated in 1994 from the Department of Management at Beijing Film Academy and immediately began working at Beijing Film Studio. Through his diligent work ethic and strong interpersonal communication skills, Yu Dong quickly gained recognition within Beijing Film Studio, earning the appreciation and promotion of then-studio director Han Sanping. He became the youngest section-level official in the history of Beijing Film Studio.

During his tenure at Beijing Film Studio, Yu Dong accumulated substantial experience in distribution and market development, laying a solid foundation for his future growth in China's film industry. In 1999, he founded Beijing Bona Cultural Exchange Co., Ltd., which became China's first private film distribution company and received the first-ever "Film Distribution License" issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

In the early stages of his entrepreneurship, Yu Dong led his team to distribute several films, including "My Brothers and Sisters," "With You," and "The Legend of Heaven and Earth," achieving notable success in China's film distribution sector. In 2007, Bona completed its first round of financing, securing an investment of US$10 million from Sequoia Capital China Fund and SIG Asia Hain Capital. That same year, Bona hired the "Big Four" accounting firms for financial auditing, promoting standardized management and beginning to plan for a stock listing.

In 2008, Yu Dong began pursuing an EMBA at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business and enrolled in Tsinghua University’s CEO class to enhance his management capabilities. In 2009, Bona completed a second round of financing, raising a total of 100 million RMB, and officially rebranded as Bona Film Group. By 2010, after three years of establishing a modern enterprise system, Bona became one of China’s largest private film companies, covering film production, distribution, cinema chains, advertising, and talent management. In December of that year, Bona successfully listed on NASDAQ in New York, becoming the first mainland Chinese film company to go public in the U.S.

By 2014, Bona Film Group had fully implemented its industry chain strategy, investing in and producing multiple films with a total box office revenue of 7 billion RMB and overseas sales reaching US$130 million. The company also invested in building 30 cinemas across major cities nationwide and planned to expand to 100 theaters within five years. Under Yu Dong’s leadership, Bona actively diversified into content investment and, through strategic capital infusion, optimized its shareholding structure.

Additionally, Yu Dong has been active in public welfare and charitable activities, donating to various foundations multiple times, with total contributions exceeding 10 million RMB. In 2021, he was appointed as a member of the 11th National Committee of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. In 2023, he was elected Vice Chairman of the Beijing Film Association, and in 2024, he was also elected Vice Chairman of the China Film Association. Yu Dong has also participated in the performing arts sector, appearing in several films including "Operation Mekong."

Throughout his career, Yu Dong has witnessed and contributed to the rapid development of China's film industry. As an influential industry entrepreneur and manager, he has driven the transformation and upgrading of China’s film and television sector.