Animation industry in Hong Kong emerged relatively late. Although some advertisement animations were produced in the late 50s of 20th century, the production volume was low. Afterwards the animations were mostly applied in the film stunts and television programmes, but the proportion was normally small. The first animated feature film, Older Master Q, was released in 1981. In fact, this film was completed by relying on the production team from Taiwan. 

On the contrary, independent animation in Hong Kong has always had a constant yield with gratifying achievement and enjoyed its stance in the international framework since 70s of 20th century. We can mainly ascribe the success to a suitable public platform, namely IFVA (Independent Short Film and Video Awards) sponsored by the Hong Kong Arts Center. The competition that focuses on independent film and video works has been held for over 20 times, having fostered a number of independent animators and resulted in a lot of excellent animation works. 

Whether the animation industry of one area is thriving depends on the quantity and achievement of the animation works of such area, especially animated feature films, though the quantity of the animation production companies and their professional level shall be taken into account. In the recent years, the Government of Hong Kong has actively promoted the local animation industries. The animation production companies are naturally the aimed objects. A spectrum of support and promotion programmes have been initiated accordingly, and among them is the very meaningful Animation Support Programme which is abbreviated as ASP. 

ASP was launched in 2012, when it is named Animation Start-up Support Programme, from its original name we can see that it had the small-sized and new start-up animation companies as its targets. Briefly speaking, the programmes hope to let the animation companies to create their representative works freely and fully unfold their potentials in both subject and technology by directly providing the production funds. In addition, there have been a series of matching measures which let the animation companies, in spare time, familiarise themselves with some professional expertise and have opportunities to propagandise the companies and their works on various platforms. To the start-ups, these supports are very valuable. 

Now, the fifth Animation Support Programme has come, and two support levels have been devised, including the first level of 88,000 Hong Kong Dollars, and the second level of 165,000 Hong Kong Dollars. For the first programme, there was only one support level of 80,000 Hong Kong Dollars. In the past several years, more than 50 companies benefitted from this programme, and over 60 artworks had been produced. Many works are outstanding animations, winning various awards and business opportunities. 

Contrastively, there isn’t a large-sized animation industry in Macao. However, as Macao is so close to Hong Kong and Mainland China, and its animation industry is unavoidably influenced by the development of the animation industry in the two neighbouring regions, in the recent years, dozens of young entrepreneurs or students who had studied the relevant courses in Macao, have actively developed the animations that Macao-specific with remarkable achievements. Recently, the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau started to plan its support programme for animation creation. Upon manifold consultation and research, last year the Bureau launched its first Subsidy Programme for the Production of Original Animation Short Films. This is a all-round support programme for animation creation, providing support fund for independent animation as well as commercial animation. The application must be made by the name of an individual, which is different from the provisions in Animation Support Programme in Hong Kong. 

As it was the first programme, the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau particularly reserved sufficient time for the whole programme, thus the programme spanning three years and being divided into several phased. Firstly, the application started to be received at the end of last year, and more than 20 applications were received until mid-April of this year. For a region like Macao, this number is very encouraging. A five-member review team is set up, and the members are all animation experts from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China. I was honoured to be one of them. Early in the June of this year, the team had an initial review meeting at the Bureau. The objective of one whole review day was to select 12 nominated art works out of over 20 ones. Thanks to the Bureau for good arrangement, the whole process was quite smooth. At the same time, the reviewing had widened my eyes. Frankly speaking, though I am an animation fan, I have few chance to know about the animation circle in Macao. This time, I found that Macao is not in short of animation talents, and what’s more the works are diversified in contents and techniques, which are the important requisites for animation industry. We can say that Macao has already had a good foundation. Let's wait for the final selection result and see which creation units will be awarded with subsidies.