Hot on the heels of David Cameron’s trade delegation to China, another group of UK businesses have headed to Beijing to generate new connections and collaborations.
The UK China Animation Forum in Beijing, which begins today, will bring together digital animation companies from both countries to showcase their content and network together. The forum is hosted by UK Trade & Investment (UKT&I), supported by the Cultural Industry Department of Ministry of Culture in China and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in the UK.
The aim of the event is to generate new business connections between producers, broadcasters, distributors and investors, looking to sell existing programming and co-produce new animated content across TV, film, mobile and online.
This is the first time UKT&I has led an animation delegation to China, and more than 140 Chinese delegates have signed up to attend the event. The UK delegation has been produced by Parameter with support of South West Screen (thanks to Creative Industries iNet funding), Vision + Media and Screen West Midlands.
The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has added his support to the initiative: “China is now the world’s second largest economy and a key international trade partner for the UK Government. The UK / China Animation Forum is a chance for UK businesses to generate advantageous new partnerships, and new revenues, by gaining insight and experience of the opportunities within China first hand. I look forward to learning of the results and to this being one of many creative business links between China and the UK.”
Caroline Norbury, Chief Executive of South West Screen, says: “The South West is home to award-winning animation talent, ranging from world leaders Aardman Animation to growing companies such as Spider Eye and the BAFTA-winning Arthur Cox. South West Screen is pleased to be on board in developing the UK/China Animation Forum, which we hope will open up new opportunities for companies to widen their reach internationally.”
It’s an exciting time to be in animation. With more than 300 animation companies employing some 4,700 people nationwide, the UK remains a firm industry leader, thanks to its expertise in a range of specialties. From 3D, cartoons to mobile games, many of the latest digital techniques used are home-grown. The industry is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of creativity in the UK and boasts talent as diverse as the multi award winning Wallace & Gromit, virtual band Gorillaz, to computer game turned film character Lara Croft.
The animation industry in China is also expanding fast and the Chinese government has put emphasized its importance with its policy to support the development of the Creative Industries, which is the pillar industry in the 12th five year plan. According to industry analysis, it is expected that the China Animation market size will reach US$3.1 billion in 2010. Whilst relatively new as a market for UK content, some productions have made it to Chinese TV screens, generating revenues and profile.
The UK China Animation Forum is intended to herald a new phase of creative collaboration between Britain and China. Generating profitable partnerships and creating a mechanism for UK companies to get an instant snapshot and introduction to the key global emerging economy.
Producer of the Forum, Mark Leaver, Managing Director of Parameter, comments, “The UK China Animation Forum will allow ambitious UK companies unprecedented access to the key potential clients and collaborators within the Chinese animation sector. There are significant challenges for any UK business in entering China, but this event afford participants with an immediate overview of the market and direct connections to everyone they will need to know, in one room on one day.”
It is hoped that the event in Beijing on 6th December will be the first in an ongoing series.