Arts
Tai Kwun Movie Steps- When Hong Kong animation meets AI (Nov - Dec 2024)
03/11/24
Programme Partner
Animation Support Program
Tai Kwun Movie Steps - When Hong Kong animation meets AI
This year's Hong Kong animation selection features a major feature: showcasing the potential of AI in animation production.
The five programs are divided into two main parts. The first part includes award-winning works from the recently completed 11th Animation Support Program. As in previous years, this year's award-winning animations not only exhibit diversity in themes, artistic expression and directorial techniques. Among them, two works, "Killing Ding Li 2: The Empire Strikes Back" and "Command X," produced by teams that have previously participated in the Animation Support Program before. We will also screen several of their previous works to observe their explorations in animation themes.
Another intriguing focus is AI animation. Undoubtedly, although AI has not been around for long, it has already sparked countless discussions in the realm of visual creation. What roles and benefits have AI played in animation creation so far? We hope that everyone can find answers through four newly completed Hong Kong animations.
This time at Tai Kwun, over twenty Hong Kong animations will be screened, divided into five programs. Each screening program will include a director sharing session, allowing everyone to gain a deeper understanding of the behind-the-scenes of Hong Kong animation. Don’t miss this rare opportunity!
03.11.2024 (Sun) | Selected Works from the 11th Animation Support Programme and sharing session |
10.11.2024 (Sun) | AI Animation Special and sharing session |
17.11.2024 (Sun) | Selected Works from the 11th Animation Support Programme 2 and sharing session |
24.11.2024 (Sun) | MOSOSISI Special and sharing session |
01.12.2024 (Sun) | 924 Studio Special and sharing session |
Sundays at 4pm
Location: Laundry Steps, Tai Kwun
Free Admission
Screening sessions might be subject to change, please refer to latest updates at www.taikwun.hk
This program features six animated short films that convey delicate emotions. One of the highlights, “Father Figure” has just been nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the Golden Horse Awards. It tells the story of a son who revisits memories of his imprisoned father.
Another highlighted film, “Cloud with Salts”, with a backdrop of 1970s New Territories, follows the adventures of five teenagers, capturing the frustrations of youth.
Additionally, “After Spring” narrates the story of an elderly couple, while “Music Within Us” depicts the bond between brothers.
Screening List: Cloud with Salts, Alex far far away, Father Figure, After Spring, Beyond, Music Within Us
This program features three animated short films created using AI technology. Three of the works come from Hong Kong: “The 2nd Block” tells the story of a girl's adventures, and “Blacky The Iron Arm Cat” focuses on the martial arts journey of a little cat named Blackie. ‘Moon Station’ is dubbed in a foreign language. Viewers can explore how animators from diverse backgrounds effectively utilize AI technology in their creations.
Screening List: The 2nd Block, Blacky The Iron Arm Cat, Moon Vokzal
This programme features four works. “Treasure” depicts the adventurous journey of a pair of hamster sisters, filled with thrills and heartwarming moments. In “Torikase”, the main character, a little mouse from heaven, comes to the human world to help a girl resolve her troubles.
Meanwhile, “Wind goes on” illustrates life in Hong Kong's public housing estates, while “Soul Ringer” invites viewers to reflect on the values of modern urban life.
Screening List: Treasure, Wind goes on, Torikase, Soul Ringer
"Command X" is a work selected for this year's Animation Support Program by the animation production company MOSOSISI. It begins with the main character picking up a mysterious phone, triggering a series of bizarre events.
Viewers can also enjoy two of MOSOSISI's previous sci-fi works, "Gary" and "Loooop", in this screening, exploring the themes that interest the animators.
Screening List: Gary, Loooop, Command X, Microwave
“Kill Danny” is created by 924 Studio and tells the story of a retired stuntman seeking revenge for the murder of his beloved dog. This year's sequel, “Kill Danny II : A Puppy Love Story” also won the Gold Award in the Animation Support Program.
In addition to these two works, this program will feature “Run, Boboboy, Run!” by 924 Studio and “Takeaway” by the Pop Culture Studies & Artistry Discovery Lab Limited.
Screening List: Run, Boboboy, Run!, Kill Danny, Kill Danny II : A Puppy Love Story, Takeaway
Sharing sessions will take place at Laundry Steps to share the context and behind-the-scene stories of the animation productions after each screenings. Stay after the screenings and let us know your thoughts after watching the animations.
* All screening sharing sessions will be conducted in Cantonese
Date: 3 November 2024
Time: after the screening of Music Within Us
Guest speaker: Veteran animator Neco Lo Che-ying, local animator Jamie Chan, Helen
Date: 10 November 2024
Time: after the screening of Moon Vokzal
Guest speaker: Veteran animator Neco Lo Che-ying, local animator Mark Lam, Nic Ho
Date: 17 November 2024
Time: after the screening of Microwave
Guest speaker: Veteran animator Neco Lo Che-ying, local animator Carmen Yu, Charmian Cheung, Eric Lee
Date: 24 November 2024
Time: after the screening of Soul Ringer
Guest speaker: Veteran animator Neco Lo Che-ying, local animator Andrew Lee,Tom Shum
Date: 01 December 2024
Time: after the screening of Takeaway
Guest speaker: Veteran animator Neco Lo Che-ying, local animator Leung Chun Tat, Law Lok Hei, Wu Hau Chung