ENG-2012 — Page 370

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Communications, the Media and Information Technology

the opening of the Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars at Kowloon Park in September 2012, featuring 24 figures of local comic characters and 10 bronze handprints of local comic artists; and

⚫ the record-breaking 'World's Greatest Catwalk 2012 Hong Kong; the first free and open- to-public catwalk show with over 300 models presenting works by established fashion. designers and emerging young fashion talents from Hong Kong and Denmark, as well as award-winning entries from local fashion design competitions.

Annual events include:

• 'Entertainment Expo' co-ordinated by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the entertainment industry's largest event in Asia;

• the biennial 'Hong Kong - Shenzhen Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism and Architecture, held from February to April 2012 at Kowloon Park; and;

⚫ the 'Business of Design Week' (BODW) organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre, and 'DETOUR, a public engagement event organised by the Hong Kong Ambassadors of Design. The BODW and DETOUR have become leading design events in Asia and the world.

Support for Design

In 2012, a design-business collaboration scheme under the DesignSmart Initiative to encourage the wider use of design by SMEs provided funding of $1 million for 30 projects. Separately, CreateHK supports a design incubation programme at InnoCentre to nurture design start-ups. The InnoCentre connects designers and users of design services and provides space for design ventures and activities. By the end of December 2012, 122 start-ups had been admitted to the programme since its launch in 2006.

Mainland, Taiwan and Overseas Promotions

CreateHK promotes the accomplishments of Hong Kong's creative industries to the Mainland, Taiwan and overseas countries and helps them explore new markets.

Seminars in Hong Kong and the Mainland in 2012 helped film producers and directors. collaborate with each other and seize the opportunities offered under CEPA. Hong Kong film festivals were organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in major overseas cities to promote Hong Kong as a film production centre. CreateHK also participated in major international exhibitions and events to promote location filming in Hong Kong and in 2012, 130 overseas film crews came to Hong Kong for location filming.

Funding was also provided to creative establishments for participation in major international exhibitions and events, targeting potential clients in strategic overseas markets. For example, a Hong Kong pavilion was set up at international book fairs held in Beijing, Frankfurt, London and Taipei to showcase Hong Kong's publishing and printing sectors and a Hong Kong exhibition

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