Hong Kong post production and VFX house Centro Digital Pictures has been acquired by Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, the global post, animation and distribution organisation.

The acquisition will integrate Centro into Deluxe Australia's operations, providing a gateway for Deluxe's worldwide clients looking to partner with Hong Kong and Chinese filmmakers as well as to allow regional producers access to the North American and European markets.

'We are very excited about the new opportunities for Centro as we join Deluxe's global organization. We have a common commitment to delivering the highest possible quality of customer experience,' said John Chu who founded Centro in 1987.

Centro has long been considered one of Asia's top effects studios. In 2004, it scored a Bafta nomination for special visual effects for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol 1, making it the first Asian studio ever to be nominated in such a category.

'As one of the pioneers of digital post production, animation and visual effects in Hong Kong, Centro has brought together a tremendously talented team over the past twenty years to support the Chinese and Hong Kong filmmakers working in the region', said Alaric McAusland, managing director of Deluxe Australia. 'Under John Chu's leadership, Centro has grown to be a leading provider not just for local but international filmmakers as well.'

Chu will continue to run the business and will report to McAusland. Centro's talent pool of VFX and animation artists will join Deluxe as part of the acquisition deal.

Centro's other credits include the pioneering Storm Riders which it also produced; Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer; Mr Popper's Penguins for 20th Century Fox; Zhang Yimou's The Curse of the Golden Flower and Disney's The Muppets.

Source:entgroup