NFB, MDA Launch Co-Production Competition

November 27, 2007 World Screen

SINGAPORE, November 27: The National Film Board of
Canada (NFB) and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) have issued
a call for submissions for the Cross-Media Challenge—Singapore, with the
winning project set to receive a S$15,000 co-production development deal.

The competition, unveiled at the Asia Factual Forum
(AFF), is open to all Singaporean production outfits and is calling for
“innovative, interactive and globally engaging” factual content that can tap
into new-media technologies. This initiative follows the agreement signed by
the NFB and MDA last year to encourage co-productions in film and new media
between Canada and Singapore.

The production company with the winning project
will be awarded a S$15,000 co-production development deal with the NFB. The
deadline for entries is February 1, 2008 and three semifinalists will be
announced on March 3, 2008. The production company with the winning project
will be announced at a NFB-MDA event at MIPTV 2008.

“To enhance the value of a production, we recognize
the importance of extending Intellectual Property (IP) rights across
multi-platforms,” said Dr. Christopher Chia, the CEO of the MDA. “The
Cross-Media Challenge not only meets this objective but encourages Singapore
production companies to leverage new technologies and think beyond just film or
TV as platforms to achieve a wider global reach and appeal. Made-by-Singapore
films are gaining recognition internationally and this challenge would take
these productions a step further and provide a boost to our media industry.”

NFB President and Film Commissioner Tom Perlmutter
added: “The Cross-Media Challenge is about thinking globally, but acting
locally. The production of factual content available across multi-platforms
such as mobile networks and the Internet will help ensure maximum reach and
interaction among global communities. Though such efforts, we hope to engage
communities around the world and bring about dialogue on global issues.”

—By Mansha Daswani