IMDA Unveils New Initiatives to Boost Singaporean Content

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) unveiled several new initiatives to boost the Singapore content industry at ATF, where the national virtual pavilion is presenting more than 600 hours of locally produced shows.

Netflix, with the support of the IMDA, will be hosting a Series Writing Workshop in Q1 2022 for up to 20 writers from Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. The virtual workshops will be conducted by Christopher Mack, director of Grow Creative at Netflix, and screenwriter and producer Joe Peracchio, with writers from Netflix shows also set to be added to the lineup.

Under IMDA’s Capability Partnership Programme (CPP), Beach House Pictures will be delivering premium docs to OTT platforms, including Curiosity Stream, while Clover Films is partnering with iQIYI on a slate of online films.

Announcing the new initiatives, Josephine Teo, Singapore’s minister for communications and information, also revealed that six new Southeast Asian film productions—involving Akanga Film Asia, August Pictures, E&W Films, Threesixzero Productions and Zhao Wei Films—have been selected for IMDA’s Talent Progression Programme (TPP) Content Development grant.

“The initiatives I have shared capitalize on Singapore’s globally connected media ecosystem,” Teo said in her speech at the ATF opening ceremony. “The growing diversity of talents, content and connections rooted in Singapore makes for a most exciting future. I welcome partners to collaborate with us and leverage on Singapore’s status as a gateway to not just Asia but also the world.”

“A compelling story can bring magic—move you, give you purpose,” said Lew Chuen Hong, chief executive of IMDA. “Through our initiatives, we want to make Singapore the place where media businesses and content creators can come together to co-create magical Asian stories for the world.”

The Singapore Virtual Pavilion at ATF Online+ features content from 41 local companies, totaling over 600 hours across 160 titles.