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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited:
The fifth Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) was held with overwhelming success today (April 8). Under the theme "Immersive Media: What's Next in Creative Digital Content - 3D Cinema", the forum attracted around 300 participants, including local digital entertainment industry practitioners, academics, digital media professionals and visual effects specialists. Participants were given a taste of the next-wave 3D cinema experience and immersed in a virtual reality world through using the first Dolby 3D system in Hong Kong.
The Acting Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mr Alan Siu, officiated at a ceremony to launch the forum. The Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Mr Nicholas Yang, said at the opening of the forum, "Cyberport, being the digital entertainment hub in Hong Kong, is honoured to bring together visionary leaders from the world of digital entertainment to DELF. I am sure that their professional experiences and inspiring insights can facilitate the growth of the digital entertainment industry in Hong Kong."
Prominent speakers from around the world were invited to share their insights and achievements at DELF 2008. Keynote speakers included: Professor Lu Sheng-zhang, the Chief and Creative Director of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games' animated promotional film Fuwa and the former Dean of the Animation School, Communication University of China; Oscar winner Mr Eric Brevig, Director of Journey to the Centre of the Earth - 3D; Mr Steve Schklair, the world's leading expert in digital and live-action 3D production; and Mr John Chu, Chairman and CEO of Centro Digital, a Hong Kong-based company specialising in animation and visual effects production.
Other renowned speakers in the discussion panels included Mr Gary Goddard, one of the world's most accomplished creators of 3D/4D entertainment in the theme park industry; Mr Warren Franklin, veteran 3D visual effects producer of Hollywood blockbusters such as Night at the Museum; Mr Christopher Stapleton, a pioneer in the research and development of experiential entertainment and mixed reality; and Mr Henry Chung, an award-winning cinematographer in film production.
To engage the audience in the ultimate 3D immersive experience, DELF 2008 used the first Dolby 3D system in Hong Kong to show breath-taking 3D movie-clips from different speakers. Ms Kate Wu, Director of Dolby Laboratories International Services (Beijing), also led the audience to experience the power of 3D cinema through a live demonstration.
To further expose local DE practitioners to international-standard 3D production, Cyberport will hold two 3D training workshops on April 9 and 10. DELF 2008 speakers Mr Eric Brevig, Mr Warren Franklin and Mr Christopher Stapleton will share their experiences on topics such as 3D digital cinema and experiential media innovation.
DELF 2008 was organised by Cyberport with support from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Co-organisers include Cyberport IncuTrain Centre, China Game Publishers Association (Hong Kong), Hong Kong Comics & Animation Federation, Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association and Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre. The forum was also supported by 17 other industry associations, educational institutions and government departments. DELF 2008 was one of the nine core events of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong, and an initiative in the 2008 Digital 21 Strategy of "Building on Hong Kong's position as a world digital city".
For more information about DELF 2008, please visit http://delf.cyberport.hk
About Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport)
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Cyberport - Hong Kong's IT Flagship - is a US$2 billion (HK$15.8 billion) landmark project managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and wholly owned by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The project is being developed on a 24-hectare site at Telegraph Bay in the southern district of Hong Kong Island. It comprises four office buildings, a five-star hotel, a retail entertainment complex and a deluxe residential development, aiming at creating an interactive environment that will be home to a strategic cluster of more than 100 companies and 10,000 professionals in IT and related industries.
Ends/Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:32
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