China's booming film industry, which took in 44 billion yuan ($6.7 billion) at the box office last year and is set to surpass the US as world No 1 by 2017, needs better trained staff if its production values are to match those of Hollywood, according to a leading director.

Feng Xiaogang, who was addressing fellow members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, bemoaned the lack of professionalism among the country's film crews.

He said many of those who work in lighting departments or as stage hands lack any professional training and most got the job simply because they knew someone else who worked on the film crew.