Dated: 4 April 2008
New Asia Media the focus of 44 titles to be marketed under the Singapore Pavilion
Singapore, 4 April 2008 –The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) will be promoting a substantial slate of Asian-themed, Made-by-Singapore factual content under the Singapore Pavilion, at MIPTV2008, the world's largest audiovisual and digital content market held in Cannes, France from 7 - 11 April 2008.
Included in the line-up of 44 television and animation titles are Olympic and China-themed High-Definition programmes that showcase Singapore's capability in developing current and compelling Asian stories for the global stage. MDA also has a library of 200 hours of Made-By-Singapore public broadcast content for which it will be exploring distribution opportunities at MIPTV.
In all, MDA will be leading 17 Singapore companies to MIPTV 2008. Of the 44 titles showcased, 14 are new Hi-Definition (HD) titles, continuing the trend of driving Made-by-Singapore HD content production for the global market.
Please see Annex A for the list of participating companies;and Annex B for the titles.
New Asia Media
The emphasis on Asian factual content with the potential for international distribution across several platforms such as digital and mobile, books, games and merchandise, underscores MDA’s strategic intent to build Singapore into a trusted global capital for New Asia Media.
Explained Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer of MDA, ”New Asia Media represents the exciting new opportunities in Asia created by the explosion of convergent media and an economically-resurgent Asia driving growth around the world. On the content side, New Asia Media embodies the finest stories about a confident and dynamic Asia, told by Asians themselves.”
“Singapore is well-poised to lead in this genre due to its strategic location in the heart of Asia and strong tradition in documentary and info-educational programming. Indeed, with an English-speaking population, high literacy levels, think tanks, research institutes and a strong telecommunications network, Singapore is one of the very few Asian countries able to produce English-language documentaries on Asia. This ensures our documentaries have local relevance, and yet carry international appeal and commercial viability, providing international media companies with a very compelling business proposition.”
Focus on China
Against the backdrop of the Beijing Olympics, a slate of commercial Olympics-themed factual content titles will also be showcased at the Singapore Pavilion.
It includes Beijing: Biography of a Capital, a three-part HD documentary exploring the three themes that have defined Beijing for over a thousand years –from its nomadic beginnings, to its iconic dynasties and today's modern, thriving metropolis. Supported by MDA, this is a joint collaboration between Singapore’s The Right Angle, Beijing TV and BBC Global Channels. and is scheduled to premiere on BBC Knowledge across Asia during the second quarter of 2008 and will be broadcast in Europe
The main challenge facing The Right Angle was finding the means to bridge the expectations and knowledge gap between Beijing TV’s China audience and international viewers. The Right Angle worked with Beijing TV to isolate, from over a thousand years of chronology, universal themes that would appeal to global viewers everywhere.
Said Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer of MDA. “Beijing: Biography of a Capital vividly illustrates Singapore’s capabilities in producing quality Asian-themed English documentaries and developing content of relevance to Asian and Western audiences, as well as its appeal as a key partner for Western and China broadcasters and content providers.”
Other Made-by-Singapore China titles at the Singapore Pavilion include Mad About English, a documentary produced by Journey Pictures on China’s newfound passion for the English language as it prepares to host the 2008 Olympics;The Crunch, a reality format produced by VHQ TV on how six of the world’s toughest men and women underwent endurance challenges set against the backdrop of different natural wonders of China;and Seven Wonders of China, revealing the genius of China's greatest builders, engineers, designers and visionaries for the many engineering marvels, with the use of CGI and dramatic reconstruction.
Additional titles demonstrate Singapore’s capability in producing factual content across a variety of Asian themes that have broad international appeal. For instance, Saving Gaia, a documentary produced by MediaCorp News, examines how environmentalists, climate experts and the public in Asia are fighting back in nature’s defence. Saving Gaia was a finalist for the News Documentary/Special category in the New York Festival TV Broadcasting Awards 2008. And Design Asia, a ThreeSixZero Productions factual programme examines the philosophy of Asia’s best-loved iconic designers, covering retail, fashion, interior design and furniture, including Ashley Isham (fashion, Singapore), Samsung (electronics, Korea), Muji (household items, Japan) and GOD (lifestyle, Hong Kong)
The Food Apprentice takes viewers on a journey to some of Asia’s most famous restaurants to discover the history, traditions and trade secrets behind each mouth-watering Asian cuisine;and My Life, My Profession provides insights into unusual, interesting and somewhat eerie professions in Asia.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Gay Chwee Hwa (Ms)
Assistant Director, Marketing Communications
Media Development Authority
Tel. : +65 6837 9344
Email : gay_chwee_hwa@imda.gov.sg
Media Development Authority of Singapore
Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Global Media City and positioning it at the forefront of the digital media age. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote developments in film, video, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation, media services and Interactive Digital Media. At the same time, in ensuring clear and consistent regulatory policies and guidelines, MDA helps to foster a pro-business environment for industry players and increase media choices for consumers. For more information, visit www.mda.gov.sg
About Singapore Media Fusion (SMF)
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) has developed the “Singapore Media Fusion” (SMF) strategic positioning which encapsulates the attributes of the media industry in showcasing Singapore as a global media city. SMF is a mark of the quality of our products and services and the collective richness and diversity of the media industry. The positioning not only lends consistency in the manner to which the Singapore media industry is represented and promoted, it is also intended to enhance the image of Singapore media at an international level, in a compelling and coherent manner. For more information, visit www.smf.sg
Annex
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