MDA Boosts Funding for International Projects

SINGAPORE: The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) is boosting funding for television, film, animation, games, interactive media, publishing and music projects that have international appeal and can roll out on multiple platforms.

At its annual Media Business Forum, the MDA’s CEO, Dr. Christopher Chia, noted: “Over the past few years, Singapore media content and applications have made inroads into the global market; our television content can be seen in some 70 countries and our digital media applications are enjoyed by millions in over 210 countries. Singapore media companies have been taking on larger-scale projects, after years of delivering high quality projects through global co-production. Some have even gone on to the creation of their own intellectual property that is recognizable globally. Those whom have made content that informs, entertains or educates and found markets globally, have in their own ways carried a little of Singapore to many parts of the world—be it through the stories, the films, the TV series, the publications, the games, or any of the content that is shown in so many countries worldwide. Companies that have made their mark with international collaborations have in turn also begun to attract more production work to Singapore, therefore creating jobs for those more inclined to create, opening up new opportunities in terms of jobs, skills’ transfer and business opportunities in the media sector.”

The MDA announced nine different new and returning project calls for submissions across a range of media. On the gaming front, MDA has set aside S$20 million for the GAME+ Programme. This includes the newly launched INSPIRE+, which will see MDA co-investing up to 30 percent in large-scale, bigger-budget game content projects such as the development of multimillion massively multiplayer online games. INVIGORATE+ is targeted at start-ups and individuals for proposals for games on emerging platforms such as social networking sites, mobile phones, handheld devices and online game services. And under INNOVATE+, MDA today issued a joint call with the Central Provident Fund Board for financial management games on social networking sites and mobile phones. MDA has also issued a call for cross-media projects.

On the television front, MDA has renewed its call for public-service content, to be produced in English, Mandarin, Tamil and Malay. It has also renewed its Content 360 TV initiative, which has already funded nine projects, including LoveQ.TV and NowShowingLife.TV. Also returning is the International Film Fund. At MIPTV, MDA announced the International Animation Fund, with proposals due by the end of June. MDA will co-invest up to S$5 million for each qualifying project. The completed titles will be repped by FremantleMedia Enterprises.