“The 3rd Animation Support Program” Launching Ceremony

“The 3rd Animation Support Program” Launching Ceremony

15 Local Animation Start-ups and Small Enterprises Subsidized

for Sustainable Development of Local Animation Industry

(11 August 2015, Hong Kong) The 3rd Animation Support Program (3rd ASP) was launched today with the 15 animation enterprises selected to participate in the program announced at the ceremony.

The launching ceremony was officiated by Mrs. Janet CHU, Assistant Head of Create Hong Kong of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“CreateHK”), Mr. Gabriel PANG, Chairman of the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (“HKDEA”), and Mr. Gordon LO, Director (Business Management) of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (“HKPC”).

Organized by the HKDEA, sponsored by CreateHK, and implemented by HKPC, the ASP enters into its third edition to nurture more local animation start-ups and small enterprises with a view to promoting the development of the local animation industry.

“The first two editions of the program were well received by the industry. With the continual provision of funding support, guidance and training from professionals animators, the local animation start-ups and small enterprises participating in the current edition will be able to produce their creative animation works in full swing,” said Mr. Gabriel PANG, Chairman, HKDEA. “We hope that the program can act as a platform for nurturing local creative talents in the field of animation, help them find more business opportunities, and promote the sustainability of the animation industry in the long run.”

Mrs. Janet CHU expressed her gratitude to the HKDEA for organizing the ASP. She said that CreateHK is committed to supporting local creative industries, which requires the full support of relevant trade and industry organisations.

The 3rd ASP, which has two categories, namely Start-ups and Small Enterprises, started the recruitment in April 2015. After a rigorous vetting of best online casino the applications by a committee comprising industry professionals, 10 animation start-ups and 5 small animation enterprises are selected. The ASP provides participating animation enterprises with resources, training programs, professional mentorship and talent matching, which help them produce their original animation works to showcase their creativity and technical competence, with a view to raising the standard of local animation as a whole.

Publicity activities will also be organized to promote the animation works produced under the 3rd ASP to the public and the industry. These activities will include premiere, press conference, broadcasting on local TV channels, social media and internet, and screening in the 2016 Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) and on other major commercial platforms. In addition, these animation works will be nominated to participate in international contests, such as the “DigiCon6 Awards” organized by Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) Television, and the China International (KingBonn) New Media Shorts Awards which was held in May every year during the China International Cultural & Creative Industry Expo. Promotion through all these channels aims to help the participating animation start-ups and small enterprises build up their own brands, establish contacts with potential clients and explore business opportunities.

The ASP was launched in 2012. The last two editions have nurtured a total of 35 animation start-ups and small enterprises to produce their original animations, some of which attained a number of awards in local and international contests.

For more details of the 3rd ASP and a review of the animations produced under the 1st and 2nd ASP, please visit the official website:  www.animation-ssp.com.

List of Participating Companies of the “3rd Animation Support Program” (in alphabetical order)

Vetting Committee Members and Mentors (in no particular order)

	Mr. Gordon Lo, Director (Business Management) of Hong Kong Productivity Council officiates at the 3rd Animation Support Program launching ceremony.
	Mr. Gabriel Pang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association expresses that the 3rd Animation Support Program can nurture local creative talents in the field of animation, help them find more business opportunities, and promote the sustainability of the animation industry.
	Mrs. Janet Chu, Assistant Head of Create Hong Kong encourages the participating 15 animation start-ups and small enterprises at the 3rd Animation Support Program launching ceremony.
	The officiating guests, 15 participating enterprises, members of vetting committee and organizing committee, program mentors and representatives from supporting organizations pose for a group photo at the 3rd Animation Support Program launching ceremony.

For media enquiries, please contact the PR representative of the 3rd ASP,

AQ Communications Ltd.