MDA Preps Inaugural Singapore Media Festival

SINGAPORE: The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) has outlined the plans for the inaugural Singapore Media Festival (SMF), taking place December 4 to 14.

The event will serve as a market for TV and film, screenings, conferences and awards, combining the strengths of the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), ScreenSingapore (SS) and Asian Television Awards (ATA). It is set to host producers, content creators, distributors and buyers from the broadcast and film sectors. ATF and SS will gather more than 5,000 execs from 60-plus countries. The ATA awards show, which attracts more than 1,000 entries from across the region, is expected to reach an audience of more than 30 million households. SGIFF, with its showcase of more than 100 feature and short films, is expected to draw upwards of 10,000 visitors.

At ATF, the conference lineup features executives from such media powerhouses as Disney, CBS/Paramount, Warner Bros., BBC and Viacom. The roster also features Liu Xichen, the president and CEO of 3C Media, along with Alon Shtruzman, the CEO of Keshet International. A number of initiatives will be aimed at nurturing local talent for global success, including master classes and workshops. For example, the Southeast Asian Film Lab, to be helmed by established Singapore filmmaker Eric Khoo, will focus on stories exploring the Southeast Asian identity.

The Singapore International Film Festival is held from December 4 to 14. ATF takes place December 9 to 12, alongside ScreenSingapore. The Asian Television Awards are set for December 11.