Singapore and Western Australia reunite to develop cross-media projects

 SINGAPORE: ScreenWest, Western Australia's screen funding and development agency and the Media Development Authority (MDA) which champions the Singapore media industry announced the second round of the MDA-ScreenWest Cross-Media Development Initiative, to encourage producers in their respective territories to jointly co-develop concepts with multi-platform elements.

    The initiative invites producers in Singapore and Western Australia to jointly submit proposals in any of the following genres: Children's Series (including Animation), Documentary Series, and Factual or Factual Entertainment Series. Up to three projects will be selected and awarded up to US$30,000 each in development funding. The funding will be shared equally between the Singaporean and Western Australian co-production partners. The closing date for submissions is 23 November 2009 and the announcement of selected projects will be made at the Asia Television Forum held in Singapore from 2 to 4 December 2009.

    In the inaugural round of the MDA-ScreenWest Cross-Media Development Initiative, announced at last year's MIPCOM, two projects received a grant of up to US$30,000 each in development funding: Off the Wall from ZAC Toons (Western Australia) and Scrawl Studios (Singapore); and Borders - Life on the Edge by Artemis International Western Australia) and Threesixzero Productions (Singapore). Off the Wall will be making its debut at this year's MIPCOM.

    "Singapore welcomes partnerships that open the door to cross-border projects which are not only valued by the participating countries but travel well and resonate with a global audience. Embarking on this second round of calls is a reflection of the synergies and the positive working relations between companies in Australia and Singapore and we look forward, once again, to them uniting to develop multi-platform properties with commercial potential beyond our shores," commented Dr Christopher Chia, MDA.'s Chief Executive Officer.

    Ian Booth, ScreenWest Chief Executive, welcomed the continued partnership between the two territories, stating that international co-productions were becoming increasingly important.

    "The Western Australian screen industry has always needed to look to international partners to finance its productions. Our industry is very well placed geographically, but also with industries with complementary skill sets to continue to work together. "We are very pleased to be working with the MDA once again, and look forward to supporting new innovative cross-media projects that can be enjoyed around the world."