The Asia-Pacific region is one of the fastest-growing parts of the world for new cinema construction and box-office activity, so the annual CineAsia convention is always buzzing with excitement about the future of movies. Delegates from both East and West will learn all the latest developments when CineAsia 2012 launches Dec. 11-13 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For many, the high points of the show are the advance screenings of major feature films coming to the region. Surely among the most talked-about will be the IMAX High Frame Rate 3D showing of Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey—a chance to catch not only a surefire Warner Bros. blockbuster but the cutting edge of movie technology. CineAsia will also spotlight two spectacular 3D attractions: Paramount Pictures International’s Cirque du Soleil in IMAX 3D, and Disney’s animated comedy Wreck-It Ralph, already a huge hit in North America. And for those whose memories go back to Hollywood’s Golden Age, CineAsia will screen 20th Century Fox International’s Hitchcock, starring Anthony Hopkins as the Master of Suspense during the making of the 1960 classic Psycho.

Seminars at CineAsia will tackle such topics as digital distribution, laser technology, giant-screen projection equipment, the impact of technology on alternative content, camcording and illegal online screen content, and alternative concession items. A marketing seminar will focus on the stunning success of the UA Galaxy Cinemas, part of the multi-integrated Galaxy Macau resort, which will also be the scene of the final-night screening of Wreck-It Ralph and dinner reception.

Delegates will have a clearer forecast of 2013’s movie offerings thanks to product presentations by Paramount Pictures International, Sony Pictures International, 20th Century Fox International, Universal Pictures International, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, and Warner Bros. Pictures International.

The Dec. 13 awards luncheon will honor the achievements of Wanda Cinema Circuit, United International Pictures’ Han Seng Lim, actor Byung-Hun Lee of the upcoming G.I. Joe: Retaliation, actor, director and copyright champion John Polson, Vietnam’s MegaStar Cinemas, and UME International Cineplex’s See-Yuen Ng.

In between all the screenings, seminars, luncheons, dinners and cocktail parties, don’t forget to leave plenty of time for several visits to the CineAsia tradeshow, where Asia-Pacific exhibitors will get a first look at the latest products and technologies coming to their cinemas for the New Year.