Digital continues to be the big buzzword in the Asia/Pacific market, and the ongoing rollout of digital projection technology will once again dominate the programming at the 2009 edition of CineAsia, which takes place Dec. 8-10 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

FJI digital cinema editor Bill Mead tracks the progress of d-cinema in the region in the pages ahead, and he will be part of a Wednesday morning seminar on the subject co-presented by the International Cinema Technology Association, specifically discussing the production challenges of today’s digital 3D features. Several major Asian players will offer regional updates of their digital activity: Ranjit Thakur of India’s Scrabble Entertainment, Naoshi Yoda of Japan’s T-Joy, and Ray Seok of Digital Cinema of Korea. Also participating in the program are Jason Brenek, senior VP, worldwide digital cinema and cinema programming, at Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Tony Adamson of DLP Cinema; Michael Archer of Doremi Cinema, and Andrew Robinson of Harkness Screens.

On Thursday morning, Liz Shackleton, Asia/Pacific editor of Screen Daily, will moderate a discussion of the challenges and opportunities digital poses to Hong Kong filmmakers.

An alternative to digital is the focus of Technicolor’s Wednesday morning demonstration of its new film-based 3D process, billed as “3D for Every Exhibitor.”

China also looms large in the CineAsia 2009 programming. On Tuesday morning, the show kicks off with a seminar entitled “A New Dimension to China,” presented with the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum. At press time, scheduled speakers included Cheng Yang, general manager, China Film Digital Cinema Circuit; Rance Pow, president, Artisan Gateway; Dr. Man-Nang Chong, CEO, GDC Technology; Mike Archer of Doremi Cinema; and Philip Qu of TransAsia Lawyers Beijing.

The movies themselves are always a top attraction at CineAsia, and opening day offers two of the season’s biggest. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International will present a special presentation of upcoming product, followed by the Asian premiere of the highly anticipated 2D animated feature, The Princess and the Frog. That night, Paramount Pictures showcases its acclaimed new George Clooney film Up in the Air, which many pundits have been calling a major Oscar contender since its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Wednesday night movie is another eagerly awaited film: Warner Bros.’ Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams.

The convention will also screen product presentations from United International Pictures, Paramount Pictures International, Universal Pictures International, Warner Bros. Pictures International, and 20th Century Fox International.

The convention calls it a wrap on Thursday night with the Final Night Banquet and Awards Ceremony, sponsored by DLP Cinema and GDC Technology. Irving Chee Huan Tong, general manager of Malaysia’s Golden Screen Cinemas, will accept CineAsia’s 2009 Exhibitor of the Year Award, while Sunder Kimatrai, VP, Asia/Pacific, for 20th Century Fox International, will be honored as International Distributor of the Year. Other CineAsia awards will be bestowed on Peter Lam, head of powerhouse producer-distributor Media Asia, as Producer of the Year; actress Zhou Xun (Perhaps Love, The Message) as Star of the Year; and producer Raymond Wong, winner of the Asia/Pacific Copyright Educator Award.

As always, delegates will have the opportunity to see exciting new technologies and products at the CineAsia tradeshow, which opens after the Tuesday luncheon.
CineAsia event sponsors include Paramount Pictures International, 20th Century Fox International, United International Pictures, Universal Pictures International, Warner Bros. Pictures International, Barco, Christie, Deluxe Australia, DLP Cinema, Doremi Cinema, GDC Technology, Imax, masterImage 3D, NEC, Strong and Technicolor Thailand.