Hong Kong- Celestial Pictures plans to produce between 120 and 150 hours of big budget drama series this year and to invest in and distribute 150 hours as a third party. Between its own output and acquisitions, the company aims to handle about 300 episodes annually, according to Chie Executive William Pfeiffer. On the slate are two co-productions with mainland China, including Empress Feng of Northern Wei Dynasty, a 40-episode series about the rise of Empress Feng during her reign over the Northern Wei Dynasty; Celestial is partnering China’s Shanxi TV and Datong Production. The other project is Champion, a 30-episode drama inspired by the women’s volleyball team’s loss at the Sydney Olympics, looking at how the team is preparing for the 2008 Games. It’s a co-prod between Celestial and China’s ZhongShiTaiHe Movie & Culture Media Co. Branching into factual programming, Celestial has produced the cinema Hong Kong Documentary Series comprising Cinema Hong Kong: Kung Fu, Cinema Hong Kong: Swordfighting and Cinema Hong Kong: The Beauties of the Shaw Studio.