MDA introduces large-scale projects for Singapore's media companies

Media firms eyed to upgrade capabilities to deliver world-class content.

From massively multiplayer online games to films that can be distributed globally and next-generation digital media applications that serve users worldwide – the Media Development Authority (MDA) is scaling up the capability of Singapore's media companies to undertake large-scale media projects targeting the international market.

Addressing some 300 members of the industry at its annual Media Business Forum, MDA announced on Thursday a slate of project calls across television, film, animation, games, interactive media, publishing and music, with an emphasis on projects that are internationally-marketable and scale across media platforms.

In total, nine different project calls opened for submissions on Thursday, of which four are new and five are recurring calls, according to MDA's press statement Apr 22.

To take Singapore games to the next level, MDA has earmarked S$20 million over three years to implement the GAME+ Programme, which aims to address the needs of the entire games value chain by providing support for concept development all the way to go-to-market strategies.

It includes the newly launched INSPIRE+, which will see MDA co-investing up to 30 percent in large-scale, bigger-budget game content projects such as the development of multi-million dollar massively multiplayer online games.

Complementing this is INVIGORATE+, which started its series of quarterly calls on Thursday targeted at start-ups and individuals for proposals for games on emerging platforms such as social networking sites, mobile phones, handheld devices and online game services.

Providing aspiring game developers with further support are GAME+ Development Centres that will offer mentoring and guidance. Internationally renowned game development institute DigiPen and the School of Interactive and Digital Media in Nanyang Polytechnic are partnering MDA to establish the first GAME+ Development Centres in Singapore.

In addition, MDA is also partnering industry and other partners to create demand for games that encourage developers to approach and apply games in new and different ways. Under INNOVATE+, MDA issued on Thursday a joint call with the Central Provident Fund Board for financial management games on social networking sites and mobile phones. Aside from CPF Board, MDA will continue to work collaboratively with other industry partners.

MDA will also focus on driving sector transformation by embedding interactive digital media or IDM in other economic sectors to create new consumer experiences.

Building on the Future of Media concept introduced last year to fuel industry-driven innovation, MDA on Thursday launched a Cross-Sector (X-sector) initiative to stimulate the commercialisation of new IDM content, applications and services for deployment in five economic sectors: Education, Learning & Training; Advertising; Wellness & Healthcare; Tourism & Hospitality; and, Sports. The X-sector call invites industry players to collaborate with technology companies, which are making available the research outcomes previously supported by the IDM Programme Office (IDMPO) for deployment in the five pre-identified sectors.

The call represents the move to mesh industry needs with research outcomes by extracting commercial opportunities from existing research and development projects supported by the multi-agency IDMPO hosted within MDA.

In addition to the four inaugural calls described above, recurring calls that opened for project submissions at Thursday’s Media Business Forum include Spearheading Publishing Innovation for New Enterprise (SPINE), Content 360˚ TV and Public Service Content, which collectively aim to prepare locally-produced publishing and television content for cross-platform business enhancement and overseas distribution.

Returning for a second round of project calls are Music, which is on the hunt for initiatives that can raise the international profile of Singapore’s music industry; and, the International Film Fund, which seeks film proposals that have international box office potential.

These nine project calls come on the heels of last week's launch of the International Animation Fund to solicit proposals for internationally-marketable animated TV series, telemovies and films.

In the cases of the International Film Fund and International Animation Fund, MDA co-investment of up to S$5 million a project aims to encourage big budget film and animation projects that will be represented worldwide by well-established international distribution companies, namely Distribution Workshop and FremantleMedia Enterprises respectively.

Moving forward, MDA will drive more project calls at regular intervals throughout the year to stimulate a steady project pipeline for the media sector.