Hanhai Studios and The Los Angeles Film School Team Up to Host the First Hollywood Entertainment Technology Festival

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Nov. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanhai Studios – a creative production and technology incubator and The Los Angeles Film School have joined forces to host the first Hollywood Entertainment Technology Festival (HETF). The event will take place on December 1, 2016 at the Los Angeles Film School and is the first of its kind connecting Hollywood and China.

China has become the world's second largest box office, and it's expected to surpass the U.S. by as early as 2018. At the same time, the country is also expanding its investments in entertainment and deepening its business ties with Hollywood and the American film market. Production houses and tech giants are increasingly looking to build a comprehensive business chain by crossover-collaboration, linking content and channels together.

"It's an exciting time in our industry, and we are proud to be working with Hanhai Studios to bring this innovative event to our campus and the greater Los Angeles community. The ties between Hollywood and China are expected to grow in the future, and the Los Angeles Film School is looking forward to future cross-cultural collaborations. Being a part of this international business movement will benefit our students both here and abroad," said Diana Derycz-Kessler, president and CEO of The Los Angeles Film School.

HETF is one of the first international events attempting to connect China and the U.S., with the core concept of introducing today's latest entertainment technology and highlighting the benefits of cross-border investment. Closely focusing on the theme of "creativity without boundary," HETF will create a platform for industry experts, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists to come together for potential projects and innovative collaborations.

Entertainment-industry professionals, executives from entertainment and technology companies, entrepreneurs and investors will gather for three panels followed by a VIP cocktail party to discuss the latest industry trends and advancements. This year's panels include:

• "Global Innovation and Co-Production of Entertainment Technology"
• "Technology and Transmedia in Hollywood Today"
• "U.S.-China Cross-Border Entrepreneurship and Investment"

Each panel will address the present and future of entertainment technology in the U.S. and China and will include keynotes from leading experts in technology and entertainment. Some of this year's speakers include Zvi Greenstein, general manger of NVIDIA, Adam Presser, vice president of international at Warner Bros. Entertainment, Max Epstein, vice president of content strategy at DMG Entertainment, Bennett Pozil, executive vice president of East West Bank, Houston Howard, professor at The Los Angeles Film School and many others.

Burbank City Mayor Jess Talamante, and Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Los Angeles Jian Liu will also address the attendees at the opening ceremony.

Additionally as part of HETF, over 200 preselected start-ups will compete to win thousands of dollars in equity investments. Each participating start-up will have the chance to pitch judges and investors from China and the U.S. live on stage. The top three winners will receive $100k, $50k, and $30k of equity share investment following the competition.

"Hanhai Studios has held hundreds of events, incubated over 20 start-up companies and developed channels with Hollywood studios, film schools, independent production companies and individuals to connect with China. The Hollywood Entertainment Technology Festival is an incredible next step in our overall mission to bring China and Hollywood closer together and we're honored to be hosting it with The Los Angeles Film School, a well-known staple in the entertainment industry," said Kelly Zhang, chief operating officer of Hanhai Studio.

HETF is supported by Beijing Huairou District Government, Bay Area Council, Hanhai International, China Canada Innovation Park, Beijing Film Academy Film and Cultural Creative Park, Xinhua Mobile Television, Tsinghua University Planning and Design Institute for Creative Industries, and HH&E Venture. 

A full run-down of the agenda can be found: here.

About Hanhai Studios

Hanhai Studio is the first pioneering Hollywood-Chinese creative production and technology incubator in the U.S. Established in January 5, 2015 in Burbank, California, Hanhai Studio aims to create a zero-distance platform between Chinese creative production companies with Hollywood through regular training, incubation, and investment.

About The Los Angeles Film School

The Los Angeles Film School, located in the heart of Hollywood, has been serving the community and its students since 1999.  This accredited, VA-approved institution offers career-focused Bachelor and Associate of Science degrees in Entertainment Business, Animation & VFX, Game Art and Visual Effects, Music Production, Recording Arts and Film.  Its facilities include the historic RCA Building at 6363 Sunset Boulevard, and offers access to exceptional industry-standard equipment to its students. The Hollywood Reporter called The Los Angeles Film School "...one of the best-equipped private learning centers in the country."

Their faculty of industry professionals has earned credits on a number of major motion pictures, video games and music recordings. Numerous graduates have received awards at Film Festivals worldwide, engineered multi-platinum albums, and some credits include GRAMMY® and Oscar® nominations and awards. "We exude nothing but pride when speaking of our graduates.  Their many awards and accomplishments are the result of our students' hard work and dedication," states Diana Derycz-Kessler, President and CEO of The Los Angeles Film School.  For more information please visit: www.lafilm.edu/

SOURCE The Los Angeles Film School