Outstanding Achievements Honoured at the 3rd Digital Entertainment Excellence Awards

Local professionals with outstanding achievements in digital entertainment were recognized today (24 March 2005) at the presentation ceremony of the 3rd Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Excellence Awards (HKDEEA) jointly organized by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA) and Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA).

The ceremony was officiated by Mr Howard Dickson, Government Chief Information Officer; Mr K K Yeung, Executive Director of HKPC; the Hon Sin Chung Kai, Legislative Councillor (Information Technology) and Chairman of the Grand Jury of the 3rd HKDEEA; Mr Victor Dao, Chairman of HKDEA; and Mr John Chiu, Chairman of WTIA.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Dickson said that the Government had spared no efforts in supporting the development of the digital entertainment industry in the past two years, including close to HK$100 million investment in such areas as the provision of high-end equipment at the Digital Media Centre, research and development projects, marketing activities, professional development and training programmes.

"The OGCIO will, in conjunction with other strategic partners such as the Cyberport and the HKPC, continue to launch new and innovative initiatives to support the digital entertainment industry and our creative talents. These include the setting up of an industry support centre, an incubation-cum-training centre and a local internship programme. We will maintain a close dialogue and working relationship with the industry to understand and meet their needs," Mr Dickson said.

Mr K.K. Yeung, Executive Director of HKPC, said, "The entertainment and digital games sectors have emerged in the global market as fast growing industries. This development, coupled with the implementation of the CEPA agreement, have presented enormous business opportunities for Hong Kong's digital entertainment industry."

According to Mr Yeung, as an industry support organization, HKPC has been actively involved in the development of Hong Kong's digital entertainment industry through a wide range of collaborative and promotional initiatives. These included the organization of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, USA, the Overseas Internship Programme on digital entertainment and video production, training courses on game development and design, and a joint project with the China Game Publishers Association (Hong Kong) on the development of the world's first 3D Kung-fu animation incorporating a Chinese ink painting approach, among others.

This year, over 100 entries competed for the Computer Animation, Digital Effects and Entertainment Software Awards under various categories. Judged according to originality, creativity, entertainment value, technology and business potential, winning entries were shortlisted by the judging panels of the respective categories and endorsed by the Grand Jury.

The winners of the 3rd HKDEEA are:

Professional Category
Best Computer Animation (Short Film)
– 'Langham Place Launch' by Menfond Electronic Art & Computer Design Co., Ltd.
Best Computer Animation (Feature Film)
– 'Mcdull, Prince de la Bun' by Bliss Pictures Ltd.
Best Computer/ TV Entertainment Software
– 'Little Fighter Online' by U1 Technology Company Ltd.
Best Mobile Entertainment Software
– 'V-girl TM' by Artificial Life, Inc.

Open Category
Best Computer Animation
– 'A Mid-night Story' by Mr Antonio Wong Hoi Chung
Best Computer/ TV Entertainment Software
– 'Auroral Snare' by Mr Roger Tang, Mr Steven Yuen, Mr Vincent Lam and Ms Teresa Tse
Best Mobile Entertainment Software
– 'Real-time Lip-sync and Facial Animation System' by Mr Hong Yan

Other Awards
Outstanding Student Award
– 'A Mid-night Story' by Mr Antonio Wong Hoi Chung
Outstanding Start-up Company Award
- M-Gen Mobile Technology Ltd.
Cyberport Award
- M-Gen Mobile Technology Ltd.

This year's HKDEEA was sponsored by Hutchison Telecom, Altec International Ltd., Hong Kong Cyberport Management Co Ltd., Jadason Technology Ltd., SGI Hong Kong and Sony Computer Entertainment HK Ltd., and supported by 20 local organizations.

For more information on the Awards Scheme and winning entries, please visit the website: https://www.hkpc.org/hkdeea.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5052
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: emilyc@hkpc.org

HKPC
24 March 2005