Dede Nickerson has been living in China for over 25 years and has been a leading pioneer in China’s film industry. In 2015, Dede founded Infinity Pictures with China Media Capital. Infinity developed and produced a slate of both Chinese films and English language films for the global audience. Dede is currently producing Lu Chuan’s film Bureau 749 and is doing advisory in the sector.
Prior to establishing Infinity Pictures, Dede was the Head of Production and Strategic Development at Sony Pictures China, where she produced Jiang Wen’s Gone with the Bullets, Chen Kaige’s Monk Comes down the Mountain, and the Chinese remake of My Best Friend’s Wedding. Dede was overseeing strategy across divisions for SPE: she established sales relationships with the digital platforms opening a lucrative new revenue stream for the studio’s content in China; leveraged relationships with SARFTT and Film Bureau to increase the number of Sony Pictures released in China; sourced financing for Sony’s studio slate from China Film and Wanda. Before joining Sony Pictures, Dede produced the Chinese remake of What Women Want starring Andy Lau and Gong Li; served as an advisor to Dune Entertainment; and consulted for Paramount Pictures and Paramount Digital Entertainment where she introduced the company to CJ launching their partnership in Korea and developed the company’s digital strategy in China.
From 2000-2005, Dede ran co-productions and acquisitions for Miramax Films in Asia: licensing libraries, remakes and new films from across Asia for global distribution. Key projects she oversaw include: Hero, Shaolin Soccer, The Touch, Infernal Affairs and the licensing of the Shaw Library. She also oversaw the production of Kill Bill and was credited as associate producer. Dede was responsible for the distribution and sales of Miramax Films into China and other Asian territories and managed GR for the company as well.
From 1995-2000 Dede led Warner Bros. initial efforts in China, key achievements include: an 18 picture output deal with Beijing Film Studio; acquisition of the Golden Harvest Library; and overseeing theatrical business and strategy across divisions. Prior to WB, Dede worked in corporate finance with S.G. Warburg in Hong Kong working on the early H-share offerings.
In addition to her career in film and investment, Dede has devoted significant time to addressing education, development and healthcare issues in China. Dede is a board member of Serve for China and is on the advisory board of Duke Kunshan University. Before that she also served on the board of Teach for China and was a founder of Dandelion School for migrant worker children. Dede helped with the initial establishment and program development for the Special Olympics with the China Disabled Persons’ Federation.
Dede graduated with a double major in Political Science and Chinese Studies from Trinity College in Hartford, CT and was a Princeton in Asia fellow at the People’s University in Beijing. Dede is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
