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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited:
Hosted by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the seventh Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) came to a successful close today (March 23). With the theme"Seeing 2020: The Next Wave of Digital Creativity", DELF 2010 invited globally acclaimed experts in the digital media industry to explore the future trends in digital entertainment and the dynamics that will influence the future of digital and media entertainment in the decade to come.
"New techniques are cropping up in almost all areas of the creative industries. The application of digital technologies in content creation has not only opened up new business opportunities, it is also a driving force for economic and cultural development," said the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mr Duncan Pescod.
"We firmly believe that Government collaboration with industry stakeholders and the community is the best way to maximise our efforts to drive the industries," he added.
Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Mr Herman Lam, said,"As Hong Kong's unique Creative Digital Community, Cyberport is proud to host DELF 2010 for the seventh consecutive year, and showcase to the audience the valuable experience and inspirations that leaders in the digital media and entertainment industry have to offer. We are confident that Hong Kong industry practitioners have gained beneficial knowledge and insights in their pursuit of sustainable future successes."
This year's forum featured highly reputed and respected keynote speakers. First, there was the CEO of Weta Workshop and co-owner of the Weta Companies, Mr Richard Taylor. The Weta Companies are one of the most successful international special effects studios. The Weta team has won many prestigious awards on large-scale movies, such as "King Kong", "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, and most recently the Best Visual Effects Award for "Avatar" at the 82nd Academy Awards.
The second keynote speaker was the Head of Enterprise and Client Services at Viocorp, Ms Rachel Dixon, who is also a strategic advisor to more than a dozen governments across four continents on innovation in the media industries. Along with film celebrities Cate Blanchett and Hugh Jackman and other notable Australians, Ms Dixon has advised the Australian Prime Minister and Minister for the Arts on creative industries.
The other keynote speaker was the founder and President of Pacific Interface Inc. and co-founder of CineGrid, Inc., Mr Laurin Herr. Pacific Interface is an international consulting company facilitating research and business co-operation between Japan, America and Europe. CineGrid is a non-profit-making international research and educational organisation pioneering the production, use, preservation and exchange of very high-quality digital media over fibre optic networks.
During the forum luncheon, there was a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between CineGrid and Cyberport. The two companies will take practical steps towards building a new user community for very high quality media applications on very high speed networks.
At the same time, Cyberport, in association with the Hong Kong Maya User Group, the Hong Kong Digital Game-based Learning Association and the Internet Professional Association launched the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Showcases (HKDES). HKDES is a programme for Expo 2010 Shanghai funded by the Information Services Department. HKDES, aiming to showcase Hong Kong's creative talent to the international audience at the Expo, will organise the Hong Kong Digital Game Development Competition 2010 and the Amazing Cities Animation Competitions. Finalists of the two competitions will win a trip to Shanghai in September to have exchanges with Chinese and international creative talent at the finale parties.
DELF 2010 was organised by Cyberport with full support from Create Hong Kong under the Hong Kong SAR Government. Co-organisers included the Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation, Hong Kong DigiCreate Alliance, Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre and Hong Kong Game Industry Association. Hewlett-Packard (HK) was the platinum sponsor. The forum was also supported by 36 well-known industry associations, educational institutions and semi-government organisations. DELF 2010 is one of the nine core events of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong.
For more information about DELF 2010, please visit (delf.cyberport.hk).
About Cyberport
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Cyberport is a US$2 billion (HK$15.8 billion) landmark project managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government. Focusing on enterprise and professional development, Cyberport helps commercialise creative ideas and incubate start-ups. Cyberport has an energetic cluster of creative ICT and digital content tenants who enjoy synergies from operating in the same location in Hong Kong's unique Creative Digital Community. Connected by a state-of-the-art broadband network, the Cyberport community is home to four grade-A intelligent office buildings, a five-star hotel, a retail entertainment complex and about 2,800 deluxe residences.
For more information about Cyberport, please visit (www.cyberport.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:23
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