HONG KONG, Aug. 31, 2023 — (PRNewswire) — Since 2012, the Animation Support Program (ASP) was organised by Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA) and sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to nurture local animators to create their original animations, many of which won accolades in local and international competitions. Completed the tenth edition recently, the ASP participated in MOViE MOViE's "anifest Animation Art Festival" in August 2023 by presenting the "ASP 10th Anniversary Showcase 1 & 2" and "The 10th ASP Winners Showcase Marathon" in commemoration of the program's 10^th anniversary. To demonstrate the fruitful achievements of Hong Kong animation industry with the support of the ASP, these showcases featured all award-winning and recommended works of previous editions of the ASP to local audience.

The "ASP 10th Anniversary Showcase 1" was concluded on 18 August 2023. Opened with animated shorts Another World produced by Tommy Ng, winner of multiple awards include the Grand Prize of the 22nd DigiCon6 ASIA Awards, and  Dragon's Delusion – Preface, created by Hong Kong artist Kongkee (aka Kong Hong-chuen), an artist commissioned by Hong Kong M+ Museum, the showcase also featured Lionverse presenting the scenes of old Hong Kong; Depths of Night, telling the stories of three women of different ages who faced their fear; Infidelity, dubbed by local talent Poon Chan-leung and So Yuk-wa, exploring the essence of love in a political marriage; Home, bringing warmth with stray animals as the theme; The Square City, leading audience into a fun-filled reimagination of magical Hong Kong; Uncle Babysitter 2, delivering a bit of harmless perv and snark; and the latest works which are also the 10^th ASP gold prize winners, Monkey on My Back and Let's Party Till the End.

The "ASP 10th Anniversary Showcase 2" was held on 26 August 2023 with another session scheduled for 3 September 2023, screening Another World, Dragon's Delusion – Preface and Lionverse again, as well as three other works that explore societal issues, namely  Behind the Schoolbag, Resettlement Memory and Chill and shivering; Mountain & Sea - Village of Muds, taking the audience to a magical fantasy; Half and Balance Breaker, revealing the confusion that our children today must encounter when they grow up; Nominated at the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, Step C's Toxic Relationships, that takes a look at the bittersweetness of love; Love Mother Love, bringing warmth to the audience; and the showcase will epically close with the whimsical Blood Swim.

The "10th ASP Winners Showcase Marathon", the finale of MOViE MOViE's "anifest Animation Art Festival 2023", will be held on 6 and 9 September 2023. The marathon will showcase the limitless creativity of Hong Kong's diversified and talented animators. This stellar animation marathon opens with the Gold prize-winning short Monsoon Blue, which was widely praised by ASP's judges. Other works include Frankie, which explores the relationship between an uncle and his nephew, is paired with Fleche Boys, a story about the passion and camaraderie of friendship; Musical Let's Party Till the End offers a cheerful celebration, while the terrifying Monkey on My Back will surely scare audiences; Inheritance, You Build a Home in My Mind and Bad Boy provide a glimpse into the bittersweet experience of growing up; the lighthearted 3.3 Bakery and Grandpa's Paradise bring joy to the audience, while 10 x 10 and On a Dark Stormy Night showcase a unique Hong Kong style of filmmaking. Finally, the dramatic Follow the Light and Catfood will grip the audience with their atmospheres, and the hilarious Floor-Elf will wrap up the 10th Anniversary of the ASP with laughter.

The directors featured in the "ASP 10th Anniversary Showcase 1 & 2" and "The 10th ASP Winners Showcase Marathon" include Step C, Arnold Chan, Chow On-wa, Nic Ho, Kongkee, Philip Kwok, Ruth Lam, Miffy Law, Lee Kwok-wai, Timmy Lee, Liu Ka-lok, Ma Siu-fung, Hayden Mok, Tommy Ng, Simon Paluck, Karson She, Crystal Tai, Lily Tang, Aarie Tsang, Tungwood, Junjie Zhang, Ellis Chan, Jay Wong, Welby Chung, Leecat Ho, Allen Kai, Florence Lee, Sion Lau, Jami Hon, Thomas Wei, Gloria Chan Ying-lee, Jack Lau, Cherrie Chan, Mandy Ng, Leo Kwok and Keiip Ip (naming in no particular order).

More information about MOViE MOViE's "anifest Animation Art Festival", as well as ticketing details of the second session of the "ASP 10th Anniversary Showcase 2" and "The 10th ASP Winners Showcase Marathon" are now available at https://www.cinema.com.hk/tc/movie/special/13

Disclaimer of the Animation Support Program: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

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SOURCE Animation Support Program (ASP)