“The 4th Animation Support Program” Launching Ceremony

“The 4th Animation Support Program” Launching Ceremony

15 local animation start-ups and small animation enterprises were sponsored to
create original animation works
Nurturing new talent for the animation industry

(19 September 2016, Hong Kong) The 4th Animation Support Program (4th ASP), which is organised by the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and implemented by the Hong Kong Productivity Council, was launched today at the HKPC Building, to announce the 15 animation enterprises selected to participate in the program. The participating enterprises will receive subsidy and professional support within the next five months to create their original animation works to showcase their creativity and technical competence.

Today’s launching ceremony was officiated by Ms. Fiona LAM, Assistant Head of Create Hong Kong of the Government of the 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”).

Launched in 2012, the ASP enters into its fourth edition to nurture more local animation start-ups and small animation enterprises with a view to promoting the development of the local animation industry.

“The previous editions of the ASP were remarkable in supporting the development of Hong Kong’s animation industry as well as nurturing new local animation start-ups and small enterprises. With the subsidy, guidance and training by professional animators provided by the support program, the participating animation start-ups and enterprises were able to enhance their level in producing animations,” said Mr. Gabriel PANG, Chairman of HKDEA. “The support program also utilised various promotion channels like premieres, press conferences and trade shows to help the participating animation start-ups and enterprises build up their own brands and reach out to more potential clients in order to explore business opportunities.”

Mr. Gordon LO, Director (Business Management) of HKPC, noted that this year’s the responses from the animation start-ups and small enterprises were even more overwhelming than previous years. “With its increasing recognition in the industry, the support program could be more active in nominating outstanding animation works to participate in local and international contests, such as the ‘DigiCon6 Awards’ organized by the Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) Television, and the China International (KingBonn) New Media Shorts Awards,” said Mr. LO. “In addition, the success of the program in its previous editions also attracted many professionals from the industry to approach the Secretariat and to provide advice to the support program. As a result, more participating animation enterprises could be benefitted from the support program when more industry professionals are willing to take part in the mentorship program this year.”

Ms. Fiona LAM, Assistant Head of CreateHK, expressed her gratitude to the HKDEA for organizing the ASP, as well as the vetting committee members and mentors for their support.

The 4th ASP, which features two categories, namely Start-ups and Small Enterprises, started the recruitment process in May 2016. After a rigorous vetting of the applications by a committee comprising industry professionals, 10 animation start-ups and 5 small animation enterprises were selected. The ASP provides participating animation enterprises with resources, training programs, professional mentorship and talent matching, for them to 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.

The animation works produced under the 4th ASP will be broadcast on local TV channels, social media and internet, and screening in the 2017 Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) and on other major commercial platforms.

The ASP was launched in 2012. The last three editions have provided a total of 50 places for animation start-ups and small enterprises to produce their original animations, some of which attained awards in a number of local and international contests.

For more details about the 4th ASP and a review of the animations produced under the previous ASP, please visit the official website:  www.animation-ssp.com。

List of Participating Companies of the “4th Animation Support Program” (in alphabetical order)

Start-ups:

Small Enterprises:

Vetting Committee Members, Judging Panel Members and Mentors (in no particular order)

	Mr. Gordon LO, Director (Business Management) of Hong Kong Productivity Council officiates at the “4th Animation Support Program” launching ceremony.
	Mr. Gabriel PANG, Chairman of the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association expresses that “4th Animation Support Program” helps nurturing local animation talents and exploring business opportunities.
	Ms. Fiona LAM, Assistant Head of Create Hong Kong, encourages 15 participating enterprises in their continuous pursuit of innovation.
	The officiating guests, 15 participating enterprises, members of vetting committee and judging panel, program mentors and representatives from supporting organizations pose for a group photo at the “4th Animation Support Program” launching ceremony.

For media enquiries, please contact the PR representative of the 4th ASP, AQ Communications Ltd.