Strong NZ Presence at Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Forum

9 April 2013

Strong New Zealand Presence at Hong Kong’s 2013 Digital Entertainment Forum

New Zealand will be well-represented at the upcoming Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) in Hong Kong on 17th April. Conceived and organised by NZ based Hal Josephson, since 2006 DELF has been the premiere thought leadership event in Hong Kong for digital media trends. This year’s theme is ‘Pushing the Limits of Digital Entertainment with Cutting Edge Technology’.

The New Zealand contingent include: Dave Gibson, the founder and chairman of The Gibson Group; Martin Baynton, the co-owner of Pukeko Pictures; and film and entertainment lawyer, Michael Stephens.

Dave Gibson will provide one of the keynote presentations ‘Technology by Design, Global Applications for Digital Entertainment’, while Michael Stephens will chair a panel discussion on ‘Next Generation Content and Entertainment’, and Martin Baynton is one of four members on that panel discussion.

This will be the third time Michael Stephens has been to DELF as a presenter or panel chair. He says New Zealand’s strong representation at the forum recognises the growing international reputation of this country’s film and digital entertainment industry, and in Asia in particular which is of increasing importance to us.

Michael Stephens says, “One outcome we would like to see come about from DELF is greater partnering between the New Zealand and Asian film and entertainment industries on developing and producing film television, games and other media projects for China and other International markets.

“Eternity, Alex Galvin’s acclaimed feature film, which is currently on general distribution throughout New Zealand, was in part incubated at a previous DELF Forum is the first New Zealand/Hong Kong film collaboration in recent years, combining fantastic locations, cast and crew from both NZ and Hong Kong. Greater cooperation through coproduction agreements will further cement the growing reputation of the New Zealand film industry overseas.”

About DELF
Cyberport's Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2013 (DELF 2013) is a signature event featuring world-class and local leaders/speakers in digital entertainment industry. With the theme of ‘Pushing the Limits of Digital Entertainment with Cutting Edge Technology’, DELF 2013 is dedicated to showcase the work of key individuals who are harnessing IT and driving innovation in digital media content and to discuss coming trends that will continue to redesign and reshape our future digital media entertainment experience. International and renowned speakers are invited to Hong Kong to share their insights, expertise and experiences in the global digital entertainment market with industry practitioners and IT professionals.

For further information, see: http://delf.cyberport.hk/index.php

About Dave Gibson
Dave Gibson is one of the leading producers in the New Zealand film and television industry.

He has produced feature films and television programmes that have sold in over eighty countries worldwide. He has co-produced major television drama series and feature films with partners based in Canada, Britain, Australia, Germany and Sweden. The success of these ventures has ensured that his company, the Gibson Group, is well positioned to co-partner with other international companies who wish to work in New Zealand or the Pacific region.

In recent years, the Gibson Group has broadened its scope to include the fast growing areas of New Media and Branded Entertainment.

Dave is also Managing Director of associated company Gibson International, who focus on creating custom multimedia based visitor attractions and exhibitions for museums and tourism centres, especially immersive and interactive experiences.

About Pukeko Pictures
Pukeko Pictures is an independent entertainment production company, focused on the development and production of excellent quality, multi-platform entertainment for a global audience. Pukeko Pictures was founded in 2008 by Sir Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Martin Baynton, and is located in Wellington, New Zealand. With a connection to the world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, The Lord of the Rings), Pukeko Pictures is uniquely positioned in the creation of world-leading entertainment, harnessing the best in global talent and world-class production processes.

About Michael Stephens:
Michael Stephens is a leading New Zealand film and entertainment Lawyer. Michael has been closely involved in the development of New Zealand’s film production and digital entertainment industry for over 15 years.

He is the founding principal of Stephens Lawyers and has a personal and professional interest in the future of East/West co-productions, and funding for film, animation and other digital content projects.

Michael’s current interests include acting as a director of a number of New Zealand film and digital entertainment companies, and as the chairman of the New Zealand Institute of Screen Innovation, the Asia Pacific Film Fund and the Korean Cinerama Trust New Zealand. He is also an honorary adviser to the New Zealand/China Film Festivals.

Some of the recently completed New Zealand film and media projects Michael has assisted with include I’m not Harry Jenson, District 9, Aftershock, Last of the Livin, When night Falls and, most recently Eternity.

About Hal Josephson
Hal Josephson is the Founder of MediaSense, an international business development firm specializing in trans-border economic development, strategic marketing and special project management.
Clients have included: Apple, Motorola, AT&T, The 3DO Company, InfoTech Canada, Reed-Midem, Australia Multimedia Enterprise, InternetWire, ATEED, NZTE, InteRetail, CHQ, Gamefruit and Hong Kong Cyberport. In addition to work in the private sector, Hal has consulted with the Chinese, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand governments to help these organizations develop and implement strategies and programs to increase export potential.

Hal has designed, developed and produced scores of innovative business events for the high-tech sector. These include the Electronic Entertainment Expo, (E3) NewMedia INVISION and The Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) as well launching two major conferences in Asia Pacific: Web 3.0 Asia: Reinventing ICT for the 21st Century in HK, and Make Social Media Marketing Work for You in New Zealand.

Hal splits his time between San Francisco, California and Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand along with other international locations that business travel requires. For further information, see http://haljo.com/

ENDS

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