South West Screen UK & MDA announce multi-platform projects to receive funding

Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) and South West Screen (SWS), the development agency for the film, TV and digital media industries in the South West of England, announced the cross-media projects to receive funding under the 'Multi-Platform Content Across Continents' initiative.

Launched at last year's Asia Television Forum in Singapore, the initiative is the first in a series of planned partnership projects between Singapore and the South West of England, building on the idea of "digital twinning" between Bristol and Singapore. Supported by the United Kingdom Trade and Investment, the fund serves to encourage Singapore and British production and digital media companies to partner and co-develop concepts with multi-platform potential and cross-media elements. Eco Gone Mad, a factual entertainment series by Apostrophe Films (Singapore) and Junction K (UK), and iLand, an animation series by Scrawl Studios (Singapore) and Wonky Films (UK) have been selected as the first two winning projects who will receive a total of up to £50,000 in funding.

Aimed at 6-12 year olds, iLand is a multi-platform animation experience comprised of a TV/online series, Flash games, mobile games and an interactive screen saver. Vicky Brophy from Wonky Films explains the concept: "The idyllic paradise of iLand is home to fun-loving, easy-going natives whose dream lifestyle is threatened by only one thing - the overcrowded, overdeveloped neighbouring island of xLand and its marauding robotic inhabitants."

Eco Gone Mad is a multi-platform TV and web format that injects a healthy dose of fun, inquisitiveness and scepticism into green. Eco Gone Mad is interested in finding out what works and what doesn't, in the green debate, based on fact; facts that are proved or disproved in the course of the programme.

"We congratulate today's successful recipients of the 'Multi-Platform Content Across Continents' funding initiative. These projects have compelling and exciting ideas that look set to create global opportunities and generate new revenues across both Europe and Asia," said Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer of MDA. Caroline Norbury, Chief Executive of South West Screen said, 'We have been delighted with the response to this initiative which shows there is a real desire from creative companies in South West England to work with companies in Singapore. Choosing two ideas to take forward for development was difficult but we believe both iLand and Eco Gone Mad have fantastic potential and we wish them well.'

The winning projects were announced today at MIPTV2010, where Singapore takes centre stage as "Country of Focus" this year. More information on the Multi-Platform Content Across Continents projects as they develop will be available at www.swscreen.co.uk and www.mda.gov.sg