David Y. Ige

Calling for Submissions. Deadline to Apply is April 30, 2017

HONOLULU – The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) Creative Industries Division (CID) announces a call for applications for the department’s Creative Lab Hawaii (CLH) immersives.

The Web-Series immersive will take place on June 5-9.  The Animation immersive will run from June 12-16. The Deadline to apply for both immersives is April 30, 2017.

To apply, go to: creativelab.hawaii.gov/apply or email [email protected].

The CLH Web-Series Immersive program is a track for content creators whose primary distribution outlet is the Internet.  Individuals are coached in writing, producing, marketing, and monetization of their content for web and mobile platforms. Emmy Award winning writer/producer Bernie Su, (“The Lizzie Bennet Diaries,” “Emma Approved”) is one of three coaches coming to Hawaii to work with participants in this track.

The CLH Animation Immersive program is a track for writers in animation to develop new content for motion pictures, television, or web.  Participants receive coaching on their screenwriting and taking projects to market. Pamela Ribon (“Moana,” “Wreck it Ralph”), and Cinco Paul (“Despicable Me,” “Despicable Me Too,” and “Despicable Me 3”) will be working with participants in this track.

“The department’s Creative Lab Hawaii program provides a rich environment for Hawaii’s creative entrepreneurs to collaborate and build new business relationships with a global audience,” said DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria. “As we grow our innovation economy, we continue to provide opportunities to expand individual creativity, skill and talent, which has huge potential for economic impact and job creation.”

The immersive programs include five days of intensive hands-on training by industry coaches; 12 months of project mentoring; and a week of business development meetings with industry leaders in key markets outside of the state.  Both immersive programs are offered free to 12 qualified applicants per immersive program.

“Participants will go through progressive mentoring, which will prepare them with the skills and tools necessary to enter the year-long accelerator program,” explained Georja Skinner, division chief, DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division and founder of CLH.  “The power of the creative workforce has increased around the world, and we are making sure our creative entrepreneurs have the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in today’s global economy.”

About DBEDT (Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism)

DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, and foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments, and promotes innovation sector job growth.

About CID (Creative Industries Division)

CID, a division within DBEDT, is the state’s lead agency dedicated to advocating for and accelerating the growth of Hawaii’s Creative Economy.  Through initiatives, program development, and strategic partnerships, the division and its branches implements activities to expand the business development, global export and investment capacity of Hawaii’s arts, culture, music, film, literary, publishing, digital and new media industries.

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Media Contacts:

Christine Hirasa
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Phone: (808) 587-9006
Mobile: (808) 286-9017
Email: [email protected]

Website: dbedt.hawaii.gov