Outstanding Achievements Honoured at the 4th Digital Entertainment Excellence Awards

Local professionals with outstanding achievements in digital entertainment were recognized today (22 March 2006) at the presentation ceremony of the 4th 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 Industry Support Centre, 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 of OGCIO; Mr K K Yeung, Executive Director of HKPC; Dr Gino Yu, Chairman of HKDEA and Mr John Chiu, Chairman of WTIA.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr K.K. Yeung said, "Worldwide Internet usage has been growing significantly. According to a report conducted by the Computer Industry Almanac Inc., USA, the worldwide number of Internet users surpassed 1 billion in 2005 - up from 45 million in 1995 and 420 million in 2000. This development, coupled with the substantial growth in the use of broadband Internet and mobile telecommunication technology, presents enormous business opportunities for Hong Kong's digital entertainment industry."

"With a sound IT infrastructure, a pool of local talents who are experienced in the applications of leading edge technologies, stringent rules for intellectual property protection, as well as a strong industrial base in film production, broadcasting, wireless technology and advertising, Hong Kong's entertainment and digital games industries are well-positioned to find new horizons for development in the region," Mr Yeung added.

According to Mr Yeung, 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 management of the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre establisbed at Cyberport, the introduction of the Chinese Culture Online Games Publishing Scheme in Hong Kong, the Overseas Internship Programme on digital entertainment and video production, 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," he said.

This year, over 70 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 selected and endorsed by the Grand Jury.

The following is a list of the winners of the 4th HKDEEA:

Professional Category
- The Best Computer Animation (Short Film) – 'Tonki Bear' by Innotion Studio Limited
- The Best Computer/ TV Entertainment Software – 'Moving Music' by Intelligence Frontier Media Laboratory Limited
- The Best Mobile Entertainment Software – '3G Hide and Seek' by M-Gen Mobile Technology Ltd.

Open Category
- The Best Computer Animation – 'The Little Things that Run the World' by Mr Chang Choi Chun and Mr Cheng Yat Ming
- The Best Digital Effects – 'Red Act' by Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Kwun Tong)
- The Best Computer/ TV Entertainment Software – 'SKILLZ' by Mr James Wong
- The Best Mobile Entertainment Software – 'mVOTE / VIEWStickTM' by the VIEW Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Other Awards
- Outstanding Student Award – 'The Little Things That Run the World' by Mr Chang Choi Chun and Mr Cheng Yat Ming
- Outstanding Start-up Company Award / Cyberport Award – Innotion Studio Limited

Other officiating guests at the ceremony included Mr Nicholas Yang, CEO, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited; Artiste Ho Wan Sze, Ambassador of the 4th Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Excellence Awards; Artiste Kwok Shum Kei and Artiste Eugene Yip.

This year's HKDEEA was sponsored by Adobe Systems Hong Kong Limited, Altec International Ltd., Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Gamania Digital Entertainment (HK) Co., Ltd., Jadason Technology Ltd., Sony Computer Entertainment HK Ltd., and Synnex Technology International (HK) Ltd., and supported by 20 local associations and universities.

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
Website: www.hkpc.org

HKPC
22 March 2006