MEDIA PRIMA UNIT TEAMS UP WITH 3 ANIMATION STUDIOS

We are proud to support the creators of Malaysia’s animation IPs in their quest to create entertaining and engaging content. YANTI ISHAK

Primeworks corporate general manager

KUALA LUMPUR: Media Prima Bhd’s subsidiary Primeworks Studios Sdn Bhd has inked partnerships with three local animation companies to develop new projects.

Primeworks will collaborate with Blindspots Studios on “Alif & Sofia”, Giggle Garage on “Fridgies” and The R&D Studio on Iffins.

Primeworks corporate general manager Yanti Ishak said the initiative was the first in a series of collaborations with the country’s animation creators, which would reinforce its portfolio of animation intellectual property (IP).

“The three initial episodes of the animation are expected to be completed next month and will be marketed at the World Audio Visual Festival 2018.

“We are proud to support the creators of Malaysia’s animation IPs in their quest to create entertaining and engaging content.

“We are also proud to be able to contribute ideas for the commercialisation of this animation lineup around the world,” he said during a press conference at the Kre8tif Content Conference and Festival! 2018 in Cyberjaya yesterday.

Also present were Malaysia Digital Economy Corp vice-president of creative content department Hasnul Hadi Samsudin.

Yanti also urged interested parties to work with Primeworks in the field of publishing, broadcasting, international distribution, licensing and merchandise.

Meanwhile, Hasnul said the country’s creative industry market recorded about RM7 billion last year, with the animation sector growing at the fastest pace for export.

“The value of the country’s animated exports reached RM132 million and we are delighted to see the achievement of this local animation company.

“We work with this company to ensure global-generated ideas to penetrate wider overseas markets, such as Indonesia and Thailand,” he said.

Hasnul also announced several high-impact partnerships by local animation companies.

Animasia Studio, the team behind Chuck Chicken, will launch the Chuck Chicken Popcorn in partnership with Australia’s Koala Popcorn.

It will also collaborate with local firm Foodie4U on Chuck Chicken-themed biscuits, Spain’s Kidzworld SL on Chuck Chicken-themed sugar confectionary and MCM Studio Entertainment on an indoor theme park in Johor.

“LemonSky Animation, the animation maker AstroLOLogy, signed an international licensing and distribution agreement with China’s Lotta and Spain’s Imira Entertainment, as well as YouTube via United States-based WildBrain, and India’s YoBoHo New Media.

“Lastly, Wau Animation, the studio that produces the Ejen Ali animated series, and PrimeWorks also announced the Ejen Ali movie slated to be screened late next year.

“The animation is also set to screen its second season in Indonesia later this year,” he added.