Malaysia, Singapore Ramp Up Global Media Development Ambitions

LONDON – Malaysia’s National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) and Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) are ramping up ambitions to work more closely together to push Asian filmmaking and television to global audiences.

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The two Asian’s agencies are firming up details on a co-production agreement across both territories.

To jumpstart the initiative, MDA will take 33 Singapore entertainment and media companies to Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur in a three-day visit hosted by FINAS.

The three-day mission, led by MDA CEO Aubeck Kam will include visits to studios and broadcasters, workshops, forums, business-matching sessions and networking receptions.

Reps from TV and film banners traveling to Malaysia on January 30 include 18g Pictures, A.I Pictures, August Media Holdings, BizKode, CloudPic Singapore, Cokelat Events & Production, DV Studio, E&W Films, Fine Cut Media, Gobi Partners, GSMproject Media, Hoods Inc Productions, Imagen, I Media Entertainment, Media Reel, MediaCorp Channel 5, MediaCorp Suria, Monstrou Studio, Muse, Oak3 Films, Ochre Pictures, One Animation, Papahan Films, React Pictures, SIMF Management, Screenbox, Shortman Film, Tantra Incorporated, ThreeG Karma, Widescreen Media and independent producers such as Gavin Lim and Ellery Ngiam.

FINAS has arranged visits to broadcasters such as RTM, Media Prima, Astro, and major studios such as Metrowealth, KRU, Les’ Copaque Productions, MM2 Entertainment, Animasia Studio and Funcel among others.

FINAS director general Mohd Naguib Razak said: “Sharing efforts and resources together amongst regional neighbors, such as Singapore, makes perfect sense and should bring a wealth of positives to both our countries, especially when Malaysia and Singapore already share similar culture, race, languages and traditions, are world-class digital content providers and possess a high-growth sector known worldwide.”

According to the latest Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2011-2015 from PWC, entertainment & media spending in the Asia-Pacificu region is projected to grow 9.3 percent over the next five years, while Malaysia and Singapore are making healthy growth at a rate of 7.1 percent and 5.5 percent respectively.

Kam said: “The fact that Singapore and Malaysia’s media industries are growing in tandem and collaborating in media projects is a positive development. This business mission is a good platform to further synergize our efforts, and open the way for Singapore and Malaysian companies to create compelling content that resonates with local and international audiences.”