Launch Ceremony of 14th Animation Support Program sponsored by CCIDA held
Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA), the 14th Animation Support Programme (ASP) held its launch ceremony today (September 23). ASP aims to support local start-ups and small companies with strong potential in animation production with funding and comprehensive support measures to enhance the quality of the local animation industry.
This year's ASP comprises three categories (Start-up Category, Small Animation Enterprises with Training in Basic Productions Category, and Small Animation Enterprises with Training in Advanced Productions Category) with a total of 15 local animation enterprises to be selected. Each selected company will receive a subsidy ranging from $130,000 to $600,000, depending on their category, for the production of one original professional narrative animation. Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip, when officiating at today's ceremony, said that the selected works of this edition cover a diverse range of themes. Seeing that many of the selected companies and animators have demonstrated their original creative perspectives, she said she was confident that the completed animation works will deeply impressive.
To assist enterprises in enhancing production quality, ASP will continue to invite seasoned industry practitioners to offer professional guidance covering content creation, production techniques and business development to the selected enterprises. A series of free training courses will also be organised, spanning topics such as animation scriptwriting, directing, sound production, marketing and promotion, as well as licensing, with a view to providing comprehensive technical training and support.
With respect to promotion of the works, selected animation works will be screened in cinemas and on online platforms. ASP will also subsidise the selected enterprises to participate in major trade exhibitions, such as the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), and recommend outstanding works for international competitions, proactively assisting local animation enterprises to explore business opportunities and further enhancing the international visibility of Hong Kong animation.
Since its inception in 2012, ASP has subsidised over 100 local animation enterprises, with some works having been shortlisted for or won multiple international animation awards, achieving outstanding results. For more information on ASP, please visitwww.animation-ssp.com/en.
As stated in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, CCIDA will make good use of Hong Kong's rich blend of local and international cultures to facilitate innovative international communication and collaboration in the cultural and creative industries, and will continue to engage and collaborate with Mainland and overseas cultural, arts and creative sectors with a view to driving high-quality development and continuous innovation in the sector and enhancing its sustainable ecosystem.
The 14th Animation Support Program, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, held its launch ceremony today (September 23). Photo shows local animation enterprises from previous editions of the programme sharing their experiences. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The 14th Animation Support Program, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, held its launch ceremony today (September 23). Photo shows Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip (third row, fifth right), the Chairman of the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, Mr Gabriel Pang (third row, sixth right), with local animation enterprises and other guests. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD actively follows up on pest and rodent issues and promotes community-wide efforts to control them at source
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has noted recent social media posts concerning pest and rodent problems at various food premises and private premises. It is highly concerned about the situation and has initiated investigations and follow-up actions according to the nature of individual cases. The FEHD stressed that the presence of rodent infestation at licensed food premises is an offence. It will take the matter seriously and take enforcement action.
Regarding the rodent infestation incident at a supermarket in Luk Yeung Galleria, the FEHD has deployed staff to conduct an inspection. During the inspection, the food room was found to be in an unsatisfactory state of cleanliness. Prosecution has been instituted against the person responsible under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X), and a Notice of Elimination of Vermin has also been issued to the person responsible for the premises, requiring the necessary improvement measures to be taken.
As for the incident involving suspected foreign object found in takeaway food from a food premises in Tsing Yi, the department has arranged an inspection and has also attempted to contact the complainant, and to understand the process of food preparation, packaging and delivery. The department will objectively investigate the circumstances of the incident and follow up in accordance with the law.
In addition, regarding a rodent infestation complaint concerning a fitness centre in Festival Walk, the FEHD deployed staff on the same day to inspect the centre concerned and the shopping mall. Although no signs of rodents were found inside the shop, potential pest and rodent infestation risks were identified in the shopping mall. A Notice of Elimination of Vermin was issued to the shopping mall's property management company, requiring it to take improvement measures. The FEHD also provided the persons responsible with advice on rodent prevention and eradication.
The FEHD adopts a risk-based inspection and enforcement strategy. It has also recently taken the initiative to conduct blitz inspections targeting major supermarket chains. Food business operators have a responsibility to ensure food safety and the hygiene of their premises, and to continuously implement effective measures to prevent pest and rodent infestation and food contamination. Government inspections and enforcement cannot replace operators' responsibility for day-to-day hygiene management.
Rodent control requires corresponding measures to be taken according to the management responsibility for different types of premises. The FEHD is mainly responsible for rodent prevention and eradication in public places within its areas of responsibility. Other government departments are responsible for rodent prevention and eradication at the premises they manage. The FEHD will provide professional technical support and collaborate with the relevant departments as necessary. As for private premises, including shopping malls, fitness centres and residential premises, day-to-day environmental hygiene and rodent-control work is primarily the responsibility of owners, persons responsible for the premises and property management companies. The FEHD will provide professional advice in response to complaints and specific risk situations, and will take action in accordance with the law where necessary.
To encourage private premises to participate proactively in rodent control, the FEHD has extended the Anti-Rodent Charter to shopping malls, encouraging owners, operators and property management companies to conduct regular inspections, manage the environment properly and carry out rodent-prevention work. According to figures released earlier by the department, as of September this year, about 130 shopping mall organisations and groups had joined the initiative, covering about 8 200 shops. The FEHD will also provide technical support to help participating organisations continuously improve their rodent prevention work.
Rodent control relies on the joint participation of the Government, the trade, property management companies and members of the public. All parties must address the three basic elements of rodent survival - food, harbourage and access routes - by cutting off food sources, eliminating hiding places and blocking access routes. By reducing the risk of rodent infestations at source, we can work together to safeguard environmental hygiene.
Source: AI-found images
