Cannes, France - Following its successful commissioning of and co-investment in some 200 hours of animation titles for co-production, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) today launched the International Animation Fund (IAF) at MIPTV 2010 in partnership with FremantleMedia Enterprises.
The new International Animation Fund, which invites applications from all over the world for new animation content in any format – including television series and movies, and theatrical features - will see MDA co-investing up to $3.5 million for each qualifying project. FremantleMedia Enterprises is MDA’s partner for this new initiative, and will represent the chosen projects as worldwide distributor.
"We have enjoyed a longstanding strategic relationship with Fremantle, who share our vision for new catalytic initiatives in global animation and family entertainment. We look forward very much to co-creating new intellectual property in and by Singapore’s animation community in partnership with like-minded members of the animation cluster from around the world” said Dr Christopher Chia, MDA's Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
"We are very pleased to expand our relationship with MDA into the field of animation by partnering in their inaugural International Animation Fund. Since announcing our entry into children's and family entertainment last MIPCOM, animation has become an important component to FME's future growth and a strategic initiative for our company. By partnering with MDA in this fund, we are confirming both the strength of our relationship with MDA and our belief in the animation resources Singapore has to deploy to the world market," said David Ellender, Global CEO, FremantleMedia Enterprises.
Applications for the International Animation Fund are now open. All applications must be received by the close of business, Singapore time, on June 30, 2010, and proposed projects must have a Singapore partner. Shortlisted applicants will be required to pitch face-to-face, in Singapore, to an evaluation panel comprising senior executives from MDA and FremantleMedia.
The IAF comes on the back of MDA’s International Film Fund, launched last year at the Cannes Film Market, to stimulate international live-action feature film co-productions in and with Singapore. It is part of MDA’s Singapore Media Fusion Plan.