BEIJING, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The revenues of Chinese films in overseas markets, box office included, reached a record high of 1.91 billion yuan (244 million U.S. dollars) in 2006, according to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) Monday.

    It said 73 Chinese films were released in 44 countries and regions in 2006.

    SARFT director Tong Gang said 2006 had been the most successful year ever for Chinese films in overseas markets, not only for revenues but also for prizes won in international film festivals.

    "Chinese films won more prizes last year than at any time in history," Tong said. "Twenty-seven China-made films won 44 prizes at 22 international film festivals in 2006, compared with 32 prizes won by 18 films at 24 international film festivals in 2005.

    The 1.91 billion yuan of revenue harvested overseas in 2006 wasup nearly 16 percent on the 1.65 billion yuan earned the year before.

    "Participating in international film festivals and organizing screenings of Chinese films have been the most successful methods of promoting Chinese films in recent years," said Zhu Hong, director of SARFT.

    "We need to take more films to well-known international film festivals, do more marketing, and organize Chinese film festivals in Hongkong, Macau, Taiwan, Europe and America to attract bigger audiences," Zhu added.

    Most countries will have access to Chinese films over the next five years, he said.

    China plans to release 20 new films on the overseas market each year in the future, according to SARFT.

    Experts, however, said that even though China's film industry is making great progress, it is still a long way from really impacting the overseas market.

    "Chinese films have won some overseas prizes but the overall performance of Chinese films cannot be called satisfactory because kung-fu movies are the only ones that are gaining popularity overseas," said Ni Jun, a professor from the Chinese Central Drama Institute.