Singapore’s New Passion: New Asia Media

Singapore makes moves to tap into rising demand for Asian content – in Asia and around the world

The Media Development Authority (MDA) has reiterated Singapore's commitment to invest in the media industry, as Asia emerges as one of the world's most important media markets as well as a powerhouse of ideas.

Calling this trend New Asia Media, MDA chairman, Dr Tan Chin Nam, pointed to the interest in films made in or about Asia, such as SlumDog Millionaire.

Located right in the heart of Asia, Singapore is well-placed to be an East-West gateway for the financing, trading and making of media for the global market, he said on Friday, 15 May, at a networking party at the Festival de Cannes in France.

At its sixth expedition to Cannes this year, MDA announced an update to its blueprint, called the Singapore Media Fusion Plan, or SMFP.

Emphasising the creation of new intellectual properties, as well as the formation of new digital media industries, the SMFP is also looking to partner international companies tapping on new markets in Asia and beyond

One initiative, the new International Film Fund, will pave the way for more film collaborations with international counterparts.

Another key initiative is the upcoming Mediapolis @ one-north, a self-contained digital media cluster that will boast state-of-the-art digital studio and soundstage facilities aimed at attracting international filmmakers to tap on Singapore's resources to produce New Asia Media content for the world.

Separately, at Cannes, Singapore-based production firm Axxis International was part of a six-country effort to produce a live-action version of Japanese anime series Bubblegum Crisis.

Axxis signed a production agreement with Tokyo's Anime International Company, Australia's Arclight Films, Canada's Wizzfilms Inc., United Kingdom's Latec International and China's Infotainment China on May 14, 2009.

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