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"SINGAPORE MEETS EUROPE" - MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 2008
Singapore meets Europe is a training program developed by peacefulfish with support of the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) running from June to November 2008. The program aims at establishing closer links between content production companies in Singapore with potential production and financing partners in Europe.
Singapore meets Europe's main objective is to enable Singaporean content production companies working in practically all sectors of the audiovisual industry to access the right partners in Europe for co-production, co- financing and for distribution of cross-platform content. Only commercially viable content can make it in today's globalized production and distribution environment. Therefore, finding professional partners who are bringing the necessary know-how and experience to the project and are able to access necessary funding has almost become a precondition for becoming successful in this highly competitive media industry. Europe has a long established tradition in supporting its independent audiovisual talent by offering its production companies a wide range of financing opportunities. These monies are managed by public and private funds at a European level, at each member countries' national level as well as by regional and local institutions. They all provide grants and loans at certain conditions which are also open to foreign producers by means of co-production. In other words, Europe offers a very attractive financing system which is unique in the world. Singapore meets Europe will help selected Singaporean content production companies to identify their matching European partner to not only benefit from international co-production and distribution but also from additional financing sources. The program is dedicated to the production of commercially successful cross-platform content for a global market. The program's first focus country is Spain. 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, visit www.mda.gov.sg and www.smf.sg; peacefulfish is a leading European business consultancy specialized in the financing of the content industry (www.peacefulfish.com). The structure and process of the training program is divided in 3 phases: 1. Project Selection Deadline for Project Submission: June 30th 2008 2. Cross-Platform Seminar, Workshop and Online Training The Seminar will take place on August the 26 & 27 The Workshop will take place on August the 28 & 29 3. Field Trip to Spain November 2008 (the exact date will be specified) .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1. PROJECT SELECTION A Call For Projects requests all professional Singaporean production companies interested in realizing their projects with European partners to submit their projects to peacefulfish. Eligible projects are feature films (live action and animation), TV movies/series, games (PC, console, Internet, mobile), online content, made-for-mobile content, or digital content originating from print which all involve a cross platform strategy (content for at least 1 additional digital platform). Step 1: Before you apply please read the Project Criteria. Step 2: If your project and your company are eligible for application please fill out this Registration Form. MDA and peacefulfish will select the projects participating in Singapore meets Europe according to their innovative cross-platform potential. Deadline for Project Submission: June 30th 2008 Selected companies will be notified until July 31th 2008  .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2. 2. CROSS PLATFORM SEMINAR, WORKSHOP AND ONLINE TRAINING The selected content production companies will be invited to attend a 2 days seminar to be held in Singapore at the end of August 2008. International experts will introduce the delegates to the latest in development, financing and production of cross-platform content for digital distribution. The panel discussions will address the specifics of European public and private financing, typical criteria and requirements as well as how to best get, for example, minimum guarantees and TV pre-sales from European distributors and television channels. The seminar will also showcase 2 case studies on the financing of cross platform projects, revealing their structures and mechanisms. Right after the seminar, a 2 days workshop will be set for the companies that have been selected for the program. Each company will present their project to the experts. In one-to-one meetings with each producer the experts will analyze the current state of the project to identify possible needs of the business model and ways for improvement. Each company will bring their own business plan for each project and peacefulfish consultants will be coaching the producers to develop their plans further. In the following 6-8 weeks, the companies will access further support through online training and regular telephone meetings. At the end of the phase, each company will prepare a short PowerPoint presentation to present their project. - Seminar will take place on August 26 & 27 - Workshop will take place on August 28 & 29 - Final presentations should be ready on October 20 .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3. FIELD TRIP TO SPAIN A week long trip to Spain will enable the producers to meet potential co producers, financiers, managers of public and private funds and distribution platforms active in the content industry. The objective is to establish personal contacts through face-to-face meetings with potential partners and to initiate dialogues with financiers. Having positioned itself as one of the digital competence centers in Europe, Spain is one of the most advanced countries in media convergence. The selected Singaporean production companies will visit the two main film and media regions, Cataluña (Barcelona) and Madrid, where most of the best co production companies and distributors work and where a diversity of public funding programs offer unique support to content producers. ICIC, the big state fund in Barcelona (Catalan Institute for Cultural Industries), Spinnaker, one of Catalonia's VC funds active in cinema and digital distribution, financing sources like the ICF- Catalan Institute for Financing (funding of co productions), all make the region highly attractive also for foreign content productions who can partner with experienced producers like Filmax, Mediapro and Cromosoma, just to name a few. The other region, Madrid, the selected Singaporean production companies will visit, is the historical media centre of Spain with less access to funding but strong partners in the production and distribution of audiovisual content. Sales agents for films like Sogepaq/Sogecine, Lola Films or Golem are located in Madrid but also media groups like Vértice 360, Rodar y Rodar, Aurum, Tele 5 (Madrid broadcaster), Alta Films, Tripictures, and On Pictures. Madrid is also home to important partners for mobile content and digital distribution like Orange, Telefonica IPTV, Antena 3 and important fairs like the Mobile World Congress. - Field trip to Spain: November 2008 (date to be specified) |
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