X|Media|Lab focus: "Wealth of Animation: Co-Production"at Kre8tif

X|Media|Lab, the internationally acclaimed creative industry event will be held at the inaugural MSC Malaysia Kre8tif Digital Conference. XML creates a meeting place uniquely designed to assist companies and people to get their creative ideas successfully to the market, through concept development, business matching, and direct access to world-class networks of creative professionals and mentors. XML will kick off on 8th Dec as a part of Kre8tif and the mentorship at the X|Media|Lab will be held on 10th and 11th Dec at the Pullman Lakeside Hotel in Putrajaya.

This year's XML Kuala Lumpur has a theme as "Wealth of Animation: Co-Production", this will enable participating companies/project teams to work on their own animation co-production ideas one-on-one with local and international mentors at the Lab. It also provides a platform for participating companies/project teams, commissioners, funding bodies, and investors to explore real opportunities for co-production as well as outsourcing, licensing, and international distribution. It provides an excellent opportunity for Malaysia's creative community to learn from the rich collective experience and knowledge of world renowned professionals.

Talking to Animation Xpress Asia Pacific about the core focus of XML at Kre8tif, Brendan Harkin, Founder & Director, XML shared, "XML KL is focusing on Animation and Games Co-production opportunities. MDeC, the Malaysian government body for the multimedia industries, has created a substantial fund for Malaysian companies to find foreign partners to create content for markets such as China and India, and also for wider international markets. So the KL Lab is focusing on helping the local companies improve the creative, technology, and business thinking behind their animation and games proposals."

MDeC has allocated 70 million Ringgit for investment in 10-15 such co-productions over the next 2 years.

Hasnul Nadzrin Shah, Head of Global Profiling and Portfolio, Creative Multimedia Cluster, MDeC said, "MDeC is honored to be working with XML in being able to provide contentpreneurs with practical exposure and experience as they hone their creative talent and develop their technical skills. The ability to tap into XML's extensive network of digital media experts is a bonus for participants who stand to benefit tremendously from the sessions."

XML Kuala Lumpur features a line-up of international mentors that include some of the world's most renowned and successful professionals in the creative industry. It includes John Stevenson, the Director of Kung Fu Panda; Eric Rollman, the President of Marvel Comics and Animation; Henry LaBounta, the Chief Visual Officer at Electronic Arts; Suresh Seetharaman, the Founder of Liquid Comics and Animation (with Gotham Chopra); Sue Erokan, Chief Character Animator at Dreamworks; Lei Wang, the Head of Animation at Shanghai Media Group; Tim Brooke-Hunt, the Head of Children's Television at Australia's ABC and some great Malaysian mentors as well.


About working with the MDeC on its inaugural conference, Brendan added, "We are proud to be working with MDeC who are really putting a lot of work and imagination into helping Malaysian companies succeed locally and internationally. It's great to be a part of the very first Kre8tif Festival! I know they have put a lot of thought into making it a highly useful and entertaining. I would strongly recommend people to support the Kre8tif concept and be part of building it into something great for the region."

For Malaysian Project Teams the fee is MYR 1000 per team member, inclusive of Kre8tif! and XML registration fees; and 1 night accommodation at the Pullman Hotel in Putrajaya. For International Project Teams the fee is MYR 3000 per team member, inclusive of Krea8tif! and XML registration; 2 nights accommodation at the Royal Chulyan Hotel in Kuala Lumpur and 2 nights accommodation at the Pullman Hotel in Putrajaya.

Giving a message to the aspiring animation companies in India and Pan Asia, Brendan said, "I think that for the foreseeable future co-productions are going to be a very valuable and profitable way for companies in this region to build and market content. I think MDeC's focus on this is very well-placed and I will not be surprised to see others following their lead. My message is to get involved! Be part of Kreatif and, if you have a likely co-pro project bring it into X|Media|Lab - at the very least, the one-to-one mentoring you will get is totally unique and extremely valuable. Plus it's going to be the best place to position yourself to find a Malaysian company as a potential partner to pitch to MDeC. It doesn't get better than this!"