Riding on the world-wide demand for quality High-Definition (HD) television programmes, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) will lead 21 companies to MIPTV 2007, with a record showcase of over 50 Made-by-Singapore HD television (TV) and animation programmes.

MIPTV, to be held from April 16 to 20 in Cannes, France, is one of the world's largest audiovisual and digital content market.

Singapore's participation in this event will highlight the country's leading content producers, post-production talents and media content management service providers.

It underscores Singapore media industry's ability to deliver end-to-end creative services from production of quality content to state-of-the-art post-production facilities, said an MDA press release today.

Production houses such as Beach House Pictures, Big Communications, Cubix International, post-production companies including Infinite Frameworks and VHQ Post; media content management companies Hub Media Group and Six-Six-Eight and YSY International services, and pay TV channel Asian Food Channel, are just some of the companies that make up the Singapore contingent.

Record slate of HD programmes

One of the most important feature of Singapore's contributions at MIPTV is the record number of over 50 Made-by-Singapore HD programmes. The event will also see the debut of a wide variety of new HD titles. This includes documentaries such as Little Big Dream (Threesixzero Productions) and Guge-Lost Kingdom of Tibet (Bang Singapore), sports and lifestyle programmes like Beach 360 (Upside Down Concepts) and Parkour (Mega MediaHD) as well as dramas like 18 grams of Love (Boku Films).

To cater to different viewers, the Singapore Pavillion will also showcase HD animation programmes such as Sing to the Dawn (Infinite Frameworks), Katakune (Character Farm) and Milly Molly (Scrawl Studios), just to name a few. Other animation programmes include Growing Up Creepie (Peach Blossom Media), which is an Emmy-nominated series which premiered over US' Discovery Kids Channel last year.

Dr Christopher Chia, CEO of MDA, said: "From documentaries to drama and even animation, Singapore companies are proving that they have what it takes to become a key contributor to digital television content and animation industry.

"Having produced 100 hours of Singapore-made HD content in 2006 and successful HD terrestrial and cable trials which led to the commercial rollout of HD services on cable, we are looking to double the amount of made-by-Singapore HD content to 200 hours by end 2007.

"The progress of Singapore?s production of HD content is demonstrated in the strong line-up of new HD titles showcased at the Singapore Pavilion which aims to reach an even wider, global audience."

Singapore Media Fusion

An ongoing global communications campaign carried out by the MDA not only supports the strategic thrust to foster international collaboration but also showcases the collective richness and diversity of Singapore's media industry under a unified front called "Singapore Media Fusion".

This campaign was launched at MIPCOM 2006 and was subsequently presented at other international trade shows. Carrying the tagline "I Made It in Singapore", it features international media icons who have participated in Singapore co-productions.

For MIPTV 2007, the ads will feature more media icons such as Michael Yamashita, a renowned photographer and TV presenter who began his award-winning photography career with Singapore Airlines in the 1970s. His latest two programmes for National Geographic were entirely produced in Singapore. He also received Best Cinematography and Best Original Soundtrack at the 2006 Asian Television Awards for his latest offering, Zheng He.

Award-winning British producer and director Nigel Levy, whose works can be seen on BBC, Discovery and other international channels, is another media personality. Enjoying a reputation for combining stunning visuals with intimate and emotional story-telling, he works across many different genres.

Crossings is his latest made-in-Singapore work, where he directed and produced the first two in a new biography series for Discovery Asia, profiling famous Asian stars such as Jackie Chan and Joan Chen. German director, Marco Serafini, who is behind the telemovie House of Harmony, is also featured in the campaign.

The Singapore Pavillion is located at 16.17, Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France. MIPTV 2007 will be held from April 16 to 20, 2007.