Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, at the Opening Ceremony for the 14th Global Chinese Universities Student Film and Television Festival today (October 26):
      
Professor Mackenzie (Provost of Hong Kong Baptist University, Professor Clayton MacKenzie), Professor Man (Director of the Academy of Film of Hong Kong Baptist University, Professor Eva Man), Ms Diana Chen (Founding Chairman of the DC Foundation, Ms Diana Chen), distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good morning! I am delighted to attend the 14th Global Chinese Universities Student Film and Television Festival today, or more affectionately known as the "University Oscars". I would like to share a small secret with you today: I really like to watch TV and movies. Unfortunately, my present position makes it rather difficult for me to find more time to enjoy TV and movies.
      
     The type of films I love most is science fiction. Science fiction movies connect me to the innovation and technology in a very unique way, via boundless imagination and exploring every possibility in life. This connection is further enhanced by the fantastic, hyper-detailed visualisation made possible by the advanced technologies in film making and post-production processing.
      
     "Interstellar" is one of my favourite movies to-date. The film's Oscar-winning visual effects team created a new visualisation tool called DNGR or Double Negative Gravitational Renderer to create a more immersive and vivid image of the black hole. More interestingly, this visualisation tool was developed in association with the film's scientific advisor Professor Kip Thorne, who recently won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contribution to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves, both central to our understanding of the black holes. We can see how science and technology can be seamlessly integrated in film and TV making.
      
     Innovation and technology have benefitted many industries, including film and TV industry. Right from the invention of synchronised motion picture sound, digital filming technologies, up to the evolution of CGI effects and digital post production tools, innovation and technology help push the boundaries of our imagination to ever new heights.
      
     Today, Virtual Reality (VR) offers audience new excitements in entertainment. VR technology not only enhances viewing experience, it can also help lower production cost and increase efficiency in replacing physical sets with virtual sceneries. VR also allows film directors and scriptwriters to preview their production and collaborate from different locations. VR technology is definitely making inroads into mainstream film and TV industry today.

     I would like to congratulate the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) Academy of Film for nurturing generations of Hong Kong's film and TV talents over the years. HKBU is also the first institution in Hong Kong to build a Dolby Atmos certified sound mixing studio. Students can access the latest equipment and technology for learning, while local professional filmmakers may make use of the advanced sound mixing technology to add value to their films.

     In the Policy Address delivered about two weeks ago, the Chief Executive reaffirmed the commitment of the Government in promoting the development of innovation and technology and the creative industry in Hong Kong. The Government will continue to support the development of local film and TV talents as well as promoting the development of the industry. I would like to assure our students and young creative talents here today, your future is both promising and exciting.

     Before I close, I would like to thank the HKBU’s Academy of Film and the School of Communication, DC Foundation and the Centum Charitas Foundation in organising this wonderful Festival. I wish the Festival every success and all of you an enlightening experience. For our guests from outside Hong Kong, I wish you an enjoyable stay in our beautiful city.

     Thank you very much.

Ends/Thursday, October 26, 2017
Issued at HKT 13:24

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