In the News

Leading New Zealand animation studio to set up shop in Kaohsiung

• Publication Date：09/23/2011
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  June Tsai

The Kaohsiung City Government announced the inking of an agreement with New Zealand-based Huhu Studios Sept. 22, according to which the animation company will set up operations in the southern Taiwan city, with initial investment of NT$60 million (US$1.96 million).

The firm, an international leader in computer-generated imagery, will set up a research and development office at the Kaohsiung Software Technology Park and a production base at the Pier-2 Art Center, which is expected to create 200 jobs for local animators.

“We appreciate the studio’s good eye in picking Kaohsiung, a city that has worked hard to transform itself from a heavy industry center to a new base for cultural and creative industries,” Mayor Chen Chu said in a statement.

According to the city’s Economic Development Bureau, Huhu founder Trevor Yaxley chose Kaohsiung over other cities in mainland China, Japan and South Korea because of the city’s information technology infrastructure, talent pool and intellectual property protection.

The 16-year-old animation studio has produced more than 300 animated programs, distributed in over 1,000 cinemas worldwide.

Introducing cutting-edge technology, the company’s Taiwan office will provide complete solutions for customers, including scripting, storyboarding, music and animation, officials said.

According to Chen, seven universities in southern Taiwan have departments that train students in fields related to digital content production. The collaboration will help produce more digital industry talent and help make Kaohsiung a creative and technological hub, she said. (THN)