The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) is launching the “2016 Subsidy Programme for the Production of Original Animation Short Films”. Applications are now open until 27 February 2017 and local animation producers are welcome to apply. Successful applicants will receive a subsidy of up to MOP 240,000 for the production, promotion and marketing of the animation short films.

As part of the “Subsidy Programme Series for Macao’s Cultural and Creative Industries”, the “2016 Subsidy Programme for the Production of Original Animation Short Films” is a new initiative that aims to spur the development of Macao’s animation industry, nurture local talents in animation creation, production and planning, enhance their creativity in planning and storytelling techniques and encourage the production of original animations by the sector, as well as promote local animation development through participation in exhibitions, public screenings and online promotion. Applicants must hold a valid Macao Resident Identity Card and be aged 18 or above, and be the director or producer of the proposed film. Applicants must have directed or produced at least one animation short film with over 2 minutes, which must have been screened in public. The proposed film, which could be a single film or a film series, must be a fictional animation film.

The selection process is comprised of the initial review and the second review. In the initial review, the adjudication panel will analyse the application documents, and select a maximum of 12 projects for the second review based on criteria including creativity of the story and expression techniques, character design and potentiality, feasibility of production plan, promotion and marketing plan, budget rationale as well as the applicant and film crew’s implementing capacity. Eligible applicants for the second review will receive a subsidy to produce the animatic of a storyboard based on their proposal in the initial review, and present it to the adjudication panel followed by a final interview. A maximum of five beneficiaries will be selected by the adjudicating panel based on the aforementioned criteria. Each beneficiary will receive a subsidy of up to MOP240,000 to initiate the production, promotion and marketing of their animation short films. Beneficiaries will also be provided with professional advices by veteran animation producers.

The Programme’s information, regulations and application forms can be downloaded at the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo/cn/CCI-Subsidy) and at the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com). Applicants must submit all required documents to the Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau located at No. 567, Av. da Praia Grande, Edif. BNU, 12th floor A-D, Macao, within the designated deadline. For enquiries, please contact Mr. Leung or Ms. Choi, staff members of IC, through tel. no. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours.