“The 5th Animation Support Program” Launching Ceremony(已完結，多謝支持)

“The 5th Animation Support Program” Launching Ceremony

14 local animation start-ups and small animation enterprises are sponsored to create original animation works

(15 September 2017, Hong Kong) The 5th Animation Support Program (5th ASP), which is organised by the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association and sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“CreateHK”), was launched today at Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building. The ceremony was officiated by Ms. Fiona LAM, Assistant Head of CreateHK and Mr. Gabriel PANG, Chairman of the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (“HKDEA”). The list of 14 animation enterprises which are selected to participate in the 5th ASP was also announced at the ceremony.

Launched in 2012, the ASP enters into its fifth edition to provide subsidy and professional support to eight local animation start-ups and six small local animation enterprises for them to create their original animation works in the next five months, with a view to raising the standard of local animations and promoting the development of the local animation industry.

“The past four editions of the support program were well accepted by the industry. With the provision of funding support, guidance and training from professional 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 of the HKDEA. “We hope that the support program can serve as a platform for nurturing local creative talent in the field of animation, helping them find more business opportunities, and promoting the sustainable development of the animation industry in the long run.”

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

The 5th ASP started the recruitment process in May 2017 for its two categories, namely Start-ups and Small Enterprises. After a rigorous vetting of the applications by a committee comprising industry professionals, eight animation start-ups and six small animation enterprises are selected to receive the subsidy, training programs, professional mentorship and talent matching, for them to produce their original animation works under the support program to showcase their creativity and technical competence.

Details of each category are summarized as below:

A premiere of the animation works produced under the 5th ASP will be held in next March. They will also be broadcast on local TV channels, social media and internet, and screening in the 2018 Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) and on other major commercial platforms for local audience and potential business partners to appreciate Hong Kong’s original animations.

The ASP was launched in 2012. The last four editions have provided a total of 65 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 5th 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 “5th Animation Support Program”

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

	Mr. Gabriel PANG, Chairman of the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association expresses that “5th Animation Support Program” helps nurturing local animation talents and exploring business opportunities.
	At the “5th Animation Support Program” Launching Ceremony, Ms. Fiona LAM, Assistant Head of CreateHK, encourages 14 participating enterprises to demonstrate their creativity and create more high quality original animations.
	Representatives from participating companies of the previous cohorts express appreciation to the judging panel and mentors for their generous support at the “5th Animation Support Program” Launching Ceremony.
	The officiating guests, 14 participating enterprises, members of vetting committee and judging panel, program mentors and representatives from supporting organizations pose for a group photo at the “5th Animation Support Program” Launching Ceremony.

For media enquiries, please contact the PR representative of the 5th ASP, AQ Communications Ltd.