News Release for Immediate Release
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News Release For Immediate Release Singapore brings a slice of colourful Peranakan culture to MIPTV 2009 Singapore, 20 March 2009 – Amidst a strong line-up of animation content and factual titles will be a slice of Peranakan 1 culture at international trade show MIPTV in Cannes, France this year. MediaCorp artistes Qi Yuwu and Jeanette Aw of The Little Nyonya will join the Singapore delegation at one of the world’s largest fairs for the buying and selling of audiovisual content to promote the 34-episode serial. Revolving around the trials and tribulations of a woman born of Straits-born Chinese or Peranakan heritage, the drama weaves Peranakan culture into its storyline, and brings to life some of the more intriguing aspects of this ethnic group. It became Singapore’s most- watched drama in 15 years when it aired late last year. The lead actors of the drama join a 10-company strong delegation at MIPTV to promote for sale and distribution a slate of 41 titles under the Singapore Pavilion, led by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA). Headlining the slate is a strong line-up of animation co-productions, including three titles making their market debut. These include Dinosaur Train which is Big Communications’ collaboration with The Jim Henson Company, and supported by MDA. A children’s programme, Dinosaur Train has secured sales in Norway and Canada, with broadcasters from Nickelodeon Australia, Germany's Super RTL and 1 For centuries, the riches of Southeast Asia have brought foreign traders to the region. While many returned to their homelands, some remained behind, marrying local women. The Malay term ‘peranakan’ which means ‘locally born’ refers to communities that developed in Southeast Asia like the Peranakan Chinese, Chitty Melaka and Jawi Peranakans. The Peranakan Chinese are descendants of Chinese traders who settled in Malacca and around the coastal areas of Java and Sumatra, as early as the 14th century. In the 19th century, the Peranakan Chinese, drawn by commerce, migrated to the bustling ports of Penang and Singapore. Information courtesy of Peranakan Museum, Singapore Page 1 of 13 France 5 also expressing interest in purchasing the 40-episode animated series. Dinosaur Train, follows Buddy , a preschool-age raptor who learns about the vast world and fascinating life of other dinosaurs as he searches for his own species and is scheduled for debut in the last half of 2010. The Jim Henson Company has appointed global distributor RC2 Corporation as the global master toy licensee for the animated series, which will produce a line of preschool products surrounding the series. Also making its market debut is the 3D animated series Jack by Singapore’s Sparky Animation and Canada-based PVP Animation. Aimed at children aged six to nine, Jack centers around the adventures of a little alien who with his friends go on exciting adventures of discovery. Another new animation project is Rob The Robot , a new 26-episode 3D animated television series targeted at three to five- year-olds. This is a co-production between local company One Animation and Amberwood Productions Services from Canada. Other animation titles to be promoted such as Katakune (Character Farm), RPG High (Scrawl Studios), ZZZ-Force (Tiny Island Productions) and Shapes (Peach Blossom Media). New factual and lifestyle programmes at this year’s MIPTV such as After 12, It’s Organic and Culinary Asia at this year’s MIPTV continue a trend of strong HD programmes. In all, MDA including the Singapore delegation will be promoting more than 313 hours of programming across factual, lifestyle, animation and drama genres. Commenting on the Singapore line-up, Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer of MDA said: “The slate demonstrates the breadth and depth of Singapore companies in producing and co-producing quality content, whether in animation or factual programmes, with broad international appeal. In titles like The Little Nyonya , we are also showcasing original stories with themes unique to Asian cultures and sensibilities and we believe this will resonate with both Western and Asian audiences.” Page 2 of 13 This year’s MIPTV takes place from 30 March to 3 April 2009. The Singapore Pavilion is located at Stand 05.20 – 07.19. Please refer to Annex A for the list of programmes at MIPTV and to Annex B for the companies. For more information, please contact: Ms Sharon Tan Ms Phoebe Seow Manager, Communications Assistant Director, Communications Media Development Authority Media Development Authority Tel: + (65) 9726 3153 Tel: +(65) 9716 3150 Email : [email protected] Email: [email protected] Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Global Media City and positioning it at the forefront of the digital media age. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote developments in film, video, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation, media services and Interactive Digital Media. At the same time, in ensuring clear and consistent regulatory policies and guidelines, MDA helps to foster a pro-business environment for industry players and increase media choices for consumers. For more information, please visit www.mda.gov.sg and www.smf.sg . Page 3 of 13 Annex A: List of Programmes at the Singapore Pavilion (05.20 – 07.19) Item Synopsis Format Producer/s Language Tel Email TV Peranakan heritage and culture takes centre-stage in this Chinese period drama blockbuster. The 34-episode drama chronicles the life, struggles and The Little 34 episodes challenges of bibik Yue Niang from pre- MediaCorp Mandarin (65) 6350 3251 [email protected] Nyonya x 60 mins war days through present day. From their delicate needleworks, to their explicit dining culture, get a taste of what a true nyonya really is on. While on his dad’s new boat in Vancouver Jason and his best friend Lee are drawn up into a swirling vortex. They emerge into Stormworld, a parallel universe where people and objects arrive randomly and Theatre Red, without reason. They are saved by Flees Great Western Stormworld (in 26 episodes Entertainment (377) 9797 and Ogee but are constantly caught up in English [email protected] HD) the many adventures in Stormworld. The x 30 mins and Brightlight 1600 storyline involves many characters but Pictures there is one constant in almost everyone (Canada) on Stormworld: the search for a way home. Page 4 of 13 Understand the culinary histories and reinventions of Taiwan, Korea and Japan. Discover how Ramen, a Chinese (65) 6226 2338 adaptation becomes a Japanese food Oak3Films and (Oak3) Culinary Asia 6 episodes x symbol. Find out how Taiwan bands Threesixzero English (65) 6377 0747 [email protected] (in HD) 45 mins [email protected] together its best traditional food makers to Productions (Threesixzero) promote iconic street food and how Korean food like kimchi, bibimbap and bulgogi are enjoyed in many foreign countries. An exciting travel series that takes you to 10 episodes quaint corners around Asian cities that are x 30 mins / (44) 2072 2024 After 12 (in buzzing with life right through the witching 10 episodes Oak3 Films English 19 [email protected] HD) hour and beyond. x 2 mins (mobile series) It’s Organic covers the current development of the organic movement. From organic fashion to organic communities, It’s Organic tells the stories of organic apparel designers, farmers, grocers, restaurateurs, hoteliers and (44) 2072 2024 It's Organic (in 8 episodes x communities of organic “citizens”. Very! English 19 [email protected] HD) 30 mins Spanning across nine countries, It’s Organic travels to pristine farmlands, organic mega markets, small grocers, forward thinking design companies and more to bring viewers first hand accounts of these organic practitioners. Page 5 of 13 A unique design series that showcases some of the most creative designs around the world. This series takes a more unique Design A-Z (in approach by looking at anything 10 episodes Threesixzero English (65) 6350 3682 [email protected] HD) ingeniously designed and created. Each x 30 mins Productions episode runs with the alphabets and using an upbeat and stylistic approach, Design A to Z packs a lot of punch and pace. In 1998 German engineer, Tilman Walterfang, found a shipwreck from the 9th Secrets of the Century. Discover the last days of the 1 episode x (65) 6224 6366 Tang Treasure ship’s journey that reveals one of the Infocus Asia English [email protected] 60 mins (66) 2652 1541 Ship (in HD) ancient world’s greatest trading routes, the treasure on board the ship, and the men who braved the treacherous waters. DOODLECHAMPS.COM is an art competition for kids. The format is integrated as a 360° engagement Doodlechamp integrating television, internet, mobile, live 13 episodes Earthtree English (65) 6227 6681 [email protected] s.com (in HD) events and merchandise. The participants x 30 mins compete to demonstrate their skills in imagination and drawing to become DOODLECHAMP. Page 6 of 13 ANIMATION The show is set in a whimsically realistic, prehistoric world of jungles, swamps and oceans, all teeming with dinosaur life and connected by a shining steam train line known as the Dinosaur Train. In each episode, the series follows Buddy, a BIG preschool-age raptor, in his search for his 40 episodes Communications Dinosaur Train species. In every episode, Buddy visits a x 27 mins in Pte Ltd & The English (65) 6836 7636 [email protected] (in HD) new land and meets a new dinosaur 1080p HD Jim Henson species. Each species has something to Company teach him about the vast world and the fascinating life of the dinosaurs.