<!–:zh–>「第二屆動畫支援計劃」動畫作品首映<!–:–><!–:en–>"The 2nd Animation Support Program" Premiere<!–:–>

“The 2^nd Animation Support Program” Premiere
Promote Local Animation Industry through Nurturing Emerging Talents

(Hong Kong, 3 March 2015) The “2^nd Animation Support Program” (“2^nd ASP”) which is organized by Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA), sponsored by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and implemented by Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), held its premiere at agnès b. Cinema of Hong Kong Art Centre today, with screening of the original works of 15 local animation start-ups and small animation enterprises participating in the program.

The premiere was officiated by Mr Godfrey Leung, JP, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, and Mr Gabriel Pang, President of HKDEA. “There are many talented and aspired animators in Hong Kong. We hope that the Support Program can help the emerging animators to create their original works by the provision of resources and supports. The Support Program also strives to identify channels to showcase and promote animators’ works to the industry and the public. Thanks to the support of the industry and participants, the 2^nd ASP has been an astounding success. We are glad to witness the participants’ achievements. Their 15 animation works are unique with varied storylines and styles, showing the production teams’ talents and enthusiasm. From their works, we can see the good potential in local animation sector for growth,” said Mr Gabriel Pang, President of HKDEA.

At the premiere, Mr Godfrey Leung, JP, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development congratulated the participating 15 animation start-ups and small enterprises and expressed gratitude to the mentors for their guidance and training provided to the participating animation enterprises.

The HKDEA organized the 1^st edition of Support Program in year 2012/2013 with the sponsorship from CreateHK for animation start-ups. It was noted that the participating start-ups were able to attain remarkable results by completing their original animation works. Some participating animation enterprises attracted clients successfully while some of them gained recognition in local and international competitions. Their awards included a Creativity Award in the Asia-Pacific Grand Final of the 15th TBS DigiCon6 Awards, and Silver Award and Special Mentions of ifva Awards of Hong Kong, etc. Riding on the success, HKDEA organized the 2^nd ASP in year 2014/2015 with the sponsorship from CreateHK again. The ASP provides the participating enterprises with resources, training programs, professional mentorship and talent matching to produce their original animation works that could demonstrate their creativity and technical capability, and thereby enhance the quality of local animations. Apart from these supports, promotional activities will be organized to help the participating enterprises in identifying business partners and getting business opportunities from potential clients.

The 2^nd ASP started its recruitment nbso online casino reviews in last April and eventually received nearly 60 applications. Out of which, 10 animation start-ups and 5 small animation enterprises were selected by a vetting committee comprising industry professionals. Each selected animation enterprise received a maximum subsidy of HK$80,000/HK$150,000 for production of their own 3-minute/5-minute animation with storyline in accordance with the category they were admitted to. They were also benefited from a mentorship program by receiving advice and guidance on technical and production skills, and business development from professional animators. After six months of hard work, the 15 participating animation enterprises presented their original works to the industry and the public at the premiere today.

The premiere also marks the beginning of a series of promotional activities including broadcasting on local TV channel(s) and internet, and screening in the 2015 Hong Kong International Film & TV Market
Organizer Leading Sponsor Implementation Agent P.2 (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 King Boon Award of the China International New Media Short Film Festival Awards held in May every year during the China International Cultural & Creative Industry Expo. The Support Program will continue to help the participating animation start-ups and small enterprises to build up their own brands, establish contacts with potential clients and grow their businesses. To view the animation works of the participating enterprises and to learn more about the 2^nd ASP, please visit the official website: www.animation-ssp.com.

For media enquiries, please contact the PR representative of the 2^nd ASP,
AQ Communications Ltd.
Jess Wong Tel: (852) 3105 2037 / 6033 5524 Email: jwong@aqcomm.com
Dorcus Teng Tel: (852) 3105 2057 / 9227 4167 Email: dteng@aqcomm.com

List of Participating Companies of the “2^nd Animation Support Program”(in alphabetical order)

Eligibility of Participation
Participating start-ups and small enterprises should fulfil the following requirements:

• it is a local enterprise holding valid business registration certificate;
• it is an enterprise with primary focus on animation production;
• meet the requirements in the following table:

Vetting Committee Members and Mentors

About Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA)
Established in 1999, HKDEA is a non-profit-making organization aiming to promote digital entertainment development in Hong Kong. Its missions are:

• To promote technology development within the digital entertainment industry in order to create internationally competitive products;
• To explore and develop new markets;
• To eliminate the negative images associated with playing video games;
• To discourage software piracy;
• To facilitate communication and interaction between industries associated with digital entertainment, including toys, entertainment and video games;
• To provide a mechanism upon whereby local developers could cooperate to ensure industry-wide prosperity.

For more information, please click into www.hkdea.org

About Create Hong Kong
Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to spearhead the development of Hong Kong’s creative industries. Set up in June 2009, CreateHK co-ordinates the Government policy regarding creative industries, focuses Government’s resources catering for the promotion and speeding up of the development of creative industries in Hong Kong, and works closely with the trade to boost the development of creative industries. CreateHK’s website: www.createhk.gov.hk

Disclaimer:
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organizers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Communication and Technology Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

	The officiating guests, 15 participating animation start-ups and small enterprises, members of vetting committee, program mentors and representatives from supporting organizations and media partners pose for a group photo at the 2nd ASP Premiere.
	(From left) Ms Alice Mak, cartoonist and creator of McMug and McDull, Mr Ma Wing-shing, noted comic artist, Mr Godfrey Leung, JP, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr. Gabriel Pang, President of Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, Mr Jerry Liu, Head of CreateHK and Mr. Neco Lo, Secretary-General of Hong Kong Animation Association officiate at the 2nd ASP Premiere.
	Mr. Gabriel Pang, President of Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association expressed at the 2nd ASP Premiere that it is glad to witness the participants’ achievements.
	Mr Godfrey Leung, JP, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development congratulated the participating 15 animation start-ups and small enterprises at the 2nd ASP Premiere.