Dated: 22 June 2011
South West Screen and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) today announced the winners of the second annual Multi-Platform Content Across Continents 2011 (CAC) grants, aimed at fostering increased collaboration between the creative industries in South West England and Singapore.
Two projects are being moved forward to commission, each to be awarded up to £15,000 in development funding and split between the Singaporean and British co-development partners.
Calls for proposals for CAC2011 were launched during the Asia Television Forum in December 2010, and culminated in an online industry seminar and networking session at MIPTV 2011. An expert panel including representatives from the UK and Asia helped to select the most exciting ideas from the submissions.
The two winning projects are:
Electric Village
Electric Village is a collaboration between South West production company, Hummingbird Films and The Moving Images Company Pte Ltd in Singapore. Electric Village uses innovative social media techniques within a digital “magazine” platform to bring together the latest and the best in design, music and technology content from across the globe.
Heavenly Mysteries
Heavenly Mysteries is a collaboration between Webby Award-winning production company Interactive Video in the South West of England, and production company Very! in Singapore. Heavenly Mysteries is built on an innovative TV / HD web interface, which provides a stunning exploration of the temples of Bali, Thailand and Angkor.
CAC was first launched during the Asia Television Forum 2009 in Singapore, to foster greater partnerships between Singapore and British media enterprises in creating innovative and engaging digital content that redefines television entertainment. The 2011 scheme is the second iteration and took a greater focus on the increasing convergence of digital technologies, seeking content ideas which leveraged the connectivity of new platforms and social media.
CAC 2011 is being produced in the UK by Parameter on behalf of the Creative Industries iNet, 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.
Creative Industries iNets Director Anthony Story said: “Both of our Multi-Platform Contents Across Continents winners this year, Electric Village and Heavenly Mysteries, are perfect examples of what these awards are about, creating positive international connections and catalysing innovation in order to explore new models for consumer entertainment. We want to see how the online and video worlds can be developed with fresh new ideas and new approaches, and engage more deeply with audiences.”
Mark Leaver, MD of producer Parameter commented, “One of the underlying aims of the CAC scheme is to see whether you can create content which “designs in” an appeal to both a UK and Asian target market from its conception. And how does digital infrastructure and consumer behaviour in different countries affect the delivery of the original idea? The two projects selected have a very different model of audience interaction and it will be interesting to see how their approaches adapt.”
Yeo Chun Cheng, Director of Broadcast, Animation, Film and Music, MDA, added: “The emergence of new media platforms such as online and mobile has resulted in whole new, borderless ways through which original content can be created, delivered and enjoyed. This calls for a new era of cross-border and cross-media partnerships, and we are encouraged to see many submissions from content producers across the UK and Singapore who share our vision. We congratulate the winners and look forward to seeing their innovative ideas come alive.”
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About South West Screen
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. www.swscreen.co.uk.
About Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg) promotes the growth of globally competitive film, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation and interactive digital media industries. It also regulates the media sector to safeguard the interests of consumers, and promotes a connected society.
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