Singapore and UK team up once more on multi-platform developments

Dated: 8 December 2010

Asia Television Forum

The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and, South West Screen, the development agency for film, television and digital media in the South West of England, announced today the second iteration of their joint, ground-breaking Multi-Platform Content Across Continents initiative.

Up to five projects will be selected by the MDA and the South West Screen, and awarded up to £10,000 each in development funding to be split between the Singaporean and British co-development partners.

The scheme was launched last year to foster greater partnerships between Singapore and British media enterprises in creating innovative and engaging digital content that redefines television entertainment.

Last year’s selected projects were Eco Gone Mad, a factual entertainment series by Singapore’s Apostrophe Films and UK’s Junction K, and iLand, an animation series by Singapore’s Scrawl Studios and UK’s Wonky Films.

This year, the scope of the initiative has been extended to include seminars, workshops, virtual networking sessions and business mentorship, designed to facilitate creative exchanges and collaborative partnerships between Singaporean and South West of England media companies. It culminates with a call for proposals in February 2011, inviting participants to submit joint proposals for the development of engaging video content which leverages on the interactivity and versatility of new digital media platforms, internet channels and social media platforms.

Multi-Platform Content Across Continents is funded by South West Screen through the Creative Industries iNet (Innovation Network), a £3.2m programme of funding designed to help the South West’s creative sector thrive and advance the area’s growing reputation as a global creative centre of excellence. The iNet is led by South West Screen, part of Solutions for Business and funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivery partner investments.

"The 'Multi-Platform Content Across Continents' initiative between MDA and South West Screen seeks to help Singapore and UK companies bring their content to a global audience. It also allows these companies to network and learn from each other. As we launch this initiative again, we look forward to even more innovative joint proposals from companies of both countries," said Aubeck Kam, MDA’s Chief Executive Officer.

Caroline Norbury, Chief Executive of South West Screen, said;“South West Screen is pleased to be supporting this year’s Content Across Continents with Creative Industries iNet funding. The first year of the initiative was a great success that kick-started digital twinning between the South West and Singapore, and we look forward to this year’s edition building on these foundations to forge even closer collaborative and creative partnerships between digital media companies in both countries.”

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Note for editors:

For further details on the scheme and for the full terms and conditions, please see the attached PDF document​ or visit

http://www.smf.sg/schemes and www.swscreen.co.uk

Media Development Aut​​hority of Singapore (MDA)

Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Trusted Global Capital for New Asia Media. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote industry growth in film, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation 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 and www.smf.sg.

South West Sc​​reen

South West Screen is the development agency for film, television and digital media in the South West of England. Our mission is to make the South West an international centre of excellence for the creative and media industries and our work includes investing in talent, reaching audiences, developing skills, promoting our region, growing businesses, market intelligence and fostering innovation.

Current projects include the Creative Industries iNet, the iFeatures microbudget filmmaking studio, White Horse Pictures rural cinema pilot scheme, The Bottle Yard production facility, the Talent Development Lottery Fund, and a number of international trade initiatives and training and skills projects. For more information, visit www.swscreen.co.uk.

About​ iNet

The Creative Industries iNet is a £3.2m programme of funding designed to help the South West’s creative sector thrive and advance the area’s growing reputation as a global creative centre of excellence. It is led by South West Screen, part of Solutions for Business and funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivery partner investments. For more information, visit www.inets-sw.co.uk/creative.

Networking for Innovation (iNets) is a product within the government-funded Solutions for Business portfolio of business support. An iNet is a proven way of helping businesses to introduce new techniques and products, and find new markets, by giving them access to specialist information and research, and through sharing knowledge and expertise. There are five iNets representing key business sectors in South West England:

iNets South West are supported by £13.5 million of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivery partner investments.

Solutions for Business (SfB) is a suite of targeted, publicly-funded products and services offering solutions to real business needs and tackling market failure. It includes: starting up, understanding finance, developing people, environment and efficiency, exploiting ideas, international sales and marketing and growing your business. By targeting public money at real business needs, it helps businesses create sustainable success.

The European Regional Development Fund South West Competitiveness and Employment Programme 2007-2013 is a programme of investment from the European Union set to increase the prosperity of the region through supporting enterprise and individuals to develop ideas and plans which contribute to increased productivity and competitiveness. The total amount of investment across the seven year programme is £108,751,309.