Exchange and cooperation in the animation and comics industry between Hong Kong and Shenzhen are set to get a boost, with the special administrative region’s launch of an industry feast later this month across the boundary for the first time.

The Animation-Comic-Game GBA 2024, which will be held in Shenzhen from Sept 15 to 17, aims to promote the integrated development of animation creativity, digital technology, and the cultural and tourism industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), enhancing the strength and global influence of the region’s animation and digital creativity industry.

This marks the first time that Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong will extend its footprint into Shenzhen since the event’s inauguration 25 years ago,

The festival follows on from the 25th edition of the annual comics and games fair, held in Hong Kong in July, which drew 140 exhibitors occupying 650 booths.

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“The launch of the festival is a small step for us. We hope that we can take a big step forward in the exchange and integration of animation culture between the two places in the future,” said Leung Chung-pun, chief executive of the Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong organizing committee.

Leung added that the anime culture is global, and that the mission behind launching the event is to promote cultural exchanges.

The festival will feature exhibitors and performing artists from around the world, including France, Argentina, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

A number of activities, including the classical comic cartoon music festival, the Asia-Pacific cosplay carnival, the e-sports show and a card game competition, will enable enthusiasts to fully immerse themselves in the joy of animation and cosplay.

Many Hong Kong enterprises in the sector plan to take advantage of the event, seeing it as an opportunity to tap into the Chinese mainland market and enhance their brand recognition and competitiveness.

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In a move to give better play to the comparative advantages of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in culture and creativity, the national animation creativity research and development center set up a GBA branch in Shenzhen on Tuesday.

“The GBA region has a large influence on and strong consumption power in the animation industry,” Chen Xuehui, deputy general manager of China ACG Group Co Ltd, said.

By linking up with the sound international intellectual property rights and service trade operation systems of Hong Kong and Macao, the GBA branch will comprehensively promote the aggregation and development of animation and the digital creative industries in the southern region, he said.

Hong Kong is ramping up efforts to develop its cultural and creative industries as the city seeks new engines to drive economic growth.

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The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, which is under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, has launched a batch of programs to support businesses in applying advanced technologies, establishing partnerships with industry peers and fostering exchanges globally.

For example, cartoon firms that are selected to benefit from a support program will be granted a subsidy of up to HK$240,000 ($30,700), with HK$200,000 to be allocated to cartoon production and the remaining HK$40,000 to spend on promotion.

Contact the writers at sally@chinadailyhk.com