Secretary Sun Dong Visits Toronto, Promotes Innovation and Technology Collaboration with Local Institutions

SITI commences visit to Canada

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Toronto, Canada, on November 4 (Toronto time).

In the morning, Professor Sun visited MaRS Discovery District, an innovation hub, and met with its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Alison Nankivell, to receive a briefing on the hub's successful experience in nurturing an innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem. Located close to major universities and hospitals in downtown Toronto, MaRS focuses on nourishing deep technology industries including clean technology and life science. As the largest urban innovation centre in North America, MaRS Discovery District supports 1 200 enterprises and renders direct assistance to enterprises in the hub with a view to building communities of innovators and promoting the adoption of new solutions.

Professor Sun then visited the University of Toronto, and toured the Centre for Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Engineering of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering of the University. Professor Sun met with the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Christopher Yip, and the Acting Associate Vice-President International Partnerships, Professor David Wolfe, and was briefed on the latest developments and research and development (R&D) achievements of the Centre. The Centre brings together universities and industries to translate the latest advances of artificial intelligence and data analytics into technologies in areas ranging from advanced manufacturing to human health. Its team also delivers ongoing guidance for advanced analytics projects in industry settings. Professor Sun encouraged the University to co-operate with universities in Hong Kong to participate in the InnoHK research clusters to strengthen global R&D collaboration.

In the afternoon, Professor Sun visited a start-up that provides storage and delivery services in North America. The start-up adopts a smart platform that automatically processes orders and updates inventory levels in real time. It also utilises robotic shuttles to manage inventories automatically, thereby reducing the overall cost for logistics and delivery services.

Professor Sun attended a networking dinner organised by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Toronto Chapter) in the evening, and had an exchange with Hong Kong young people studying and working in Toronto to learn more about their study and work lives in Canada. Professor Sun shared with them Hong Kong's efforts to develop as an international I&T centre and build an international hub for high-calibre talent. He noted that it is of paramount importance to enlarge the talent pool for the I&T development in Hong Kong, adding that the city is an ideal destination for young people to develop their careers and that Hong Kong youngsters are encouraged to seize the myriad opportunities there.

Professor Sun will proceed to Ottawa and continue his visit on November 5 (Ottawa time).

SITI commences visit to Canada Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI commences visit to Canada Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI commences visit to Canada Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI commences visit to Canada Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI commences visit to Canada Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI commences visit to Canada Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures

The Film Programmes Office (FPO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the Summer Family Cine Fest (SFCF) from July 12 to August 16, offering over 40 fun-filled film screenings at the Hong Kong Film Archive, Hong Kong City Hall, the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum (HKSpM) and the North District Town Hall. The programme is one of the highlights of the International Arts Carnival (IAC).

The Feature Films section features 15 works. Blending animation and live action, "Diplodocus" (2024) tells the story of a cute little comic dinosaur, which, in order to save itself and its family, must help its creator regain his confidence to create. In the animated film "Into the Wonderwoods" (2024), while on the way to visit his grandmother, 10-year-old Angelo is accidentally left behind in the wild. With his imagination and courage, he embarks on a solo journey while braving monsters and demons in the forest.

In "Fox and Hare Save the Forest" (2024), a selfish beaver causes a flood in the forest, and other animals bravely come together to save their home. "Tummy Tom and the Lost Teddy Bear" (2024) follows a cat on an adventurous journey to find its favourite cuddle toy bear. In "Benjamin Bat" (2024), a little bat named Benjamin is bullied by his brothers for loving singing and becoming friends with a bat's sworn enemy, a bird. For himself and his friend, he needs to muster his courage to stand up against the odds. A cute penguin in "Thelma's Perfect Birthday" (2024) accidentally travels from the Land of Ice to the warm Great Forest and learns the meaning of growth through this whimsical journey.

"Buffalo Kids" (2024) from Spain tells the story of two young siblings and their disabled new friend teaming up to battle wits and strength against outlaws of the Wild West in a thrilling adventure of courage and inclusion. Starting from the parents of a young boy building a sailboat in their home garden, "A Boat in the Garden" (2024) tells a story of perseverance and dedication of a family of three in the pursuit of dreams.

The Swedish film "The Pinchers' High Voltage Heist" (2023) delivers a comedic portrayal of a quirky family of thieves and their hilarious lives together. In the award-winning "Coco Farm" (2023), three youngsters strive to build a business guided by conscience. In "Lampo, The Travelling Dog" (2023), a social media-famous dog and a sick girl cross paths at a train station, leading to a heartwarming tale of mutual care between human and canine. "Greetings from Mars" (2024) tells the story of how Tom turns his passion for space exploration into strength when his mother has to travel a long way away.

The SFCF also features three sports-themed films. "King Richard" (2021) depicts the parenting story of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams' father and coach, who meticulously guided them to success. Lead actor Will Smith won Best Actor awards at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards for his performance. "Lioness" (2023) follows a South American migrant girl in the Netherlands pursuing her dream of becoming a football player in a strange land. "The Hill" (2023) delivers a passionate and inspiring true story of a baseball prodigy overcoming adversity despite suffering from a degenerative spinal condition.

In addition, the FPO will co-organise with the HKSpM to present the dome show, "The Great Solar System Adventure!" (2024), at the Space Theatre of the HKSpM. Audiences will be guided through an exhilarating journey across the solar system. After the screenings, audiences will be invited to join a post-screening activity at the HKSpM Lecture Hall to make Mars paper models and learn about the major discoveries of various Mars exploration missions. This activity will be conducted in Cantonese.

Veteran dubbing artists Yip Ka-man and Kinson Lai will perform live Cantonese dubbing for "Thelma's Perfect Birthday", "Benjamin Bat" and "Into the Wonderwoods" with no subtitles. "The Great Solar System Adventure!" is in Cantonese, with English available through the headphone system, with no subtitles. Other films will feature Chinese and English subtitles.

Apart from the feature films, the FPO has hand-picked 20 animated short films from around the world to present three World Animation & Shorts programmes, titled "All About Love", "Is That OK?" and "Craving For Food!". Professional actor and drama tutor Man Jai (Raymond Chan) will host an introduction in Cantonese for the programmes.

The FPO will also present a two-day event titled Summer of Light: Cinematic Adventure at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre on July 12 and 13. The event consists of free activities and ticketed workshops for the public to participate. Details will be available in early June on the FPO website www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp.

Tickets are priced at $88 and will be available from tomorrow (May 16) at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=75.

For details of other IAC programmes, please visit the website www.hkiac.gov.hk.

Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases