New Animation Fund Established by Singapore’s MDA

CANNES: The Media Development Authority of Singapore has announced at MIPTV a new international animation fund, offering up S$5 million ($3.5 million) for each qualified project, with worldwide distribution of the funded titles being handled by FremantleMedia Enterprises.

The MDA has already commissioned and co-invested in some 200 hours of animation co-productions as part of its efforts to promote and showcase Singaporean content. Applications for the International Animation Fund are now open and must be submitted by June 30. To qualify, properties must have a Singaporean partner. Shortlisted applicants will be required to pitch face-to-face, in Singapore, to an evaluation panel consisting of senior executives from the MDA and FME. MDA already runs an International Film Fund, launched last year at the Cannes Film Market.

"We have enjoyed a longstanding strategic relationship with FremantleMedia, who share our vision for new catalytic initiatives in global animation and family entertainment," said Dr. Christopher Chia, the CEO of the MDA. "We look forward very much to co-creating new intellectual property in and by Singapore’s animation community in partnership with like-minded members of the animation cluster from around the world."

"We are very pleased to expand our relationship with MDA into the field of animation by partnering in their inaugural International Animation Fund," noted David Ellender, the global CEO of FME. "Since announcing our entry into children’s and family entertainment last MIPCOM, animation has become an important component to FME’s future growth and a strategic initiative for our company. By partnering with MDA in this fund, we are confirming both the strength of our relationship with MDA and our belief in the animation resources Singapore has to deploy to the world market."