Malaysia reaches out with int’l copros

MIPCOM: Malaysian companies are entering into five new animation coproductions with producers in France, Turkey and South Korea.

Honorable Dato´ Jailani Johari

The announcement was made at yesterday’s Creative Malaysia networking reception here in Cannes by the country’s deputy minister of communications and multimedia, the Honorable Dato´ Jailani Johari.

The projects include animated TV series Magiki, a coproduction between Animasia Studio of Malaysia and Zodiak Kids France.

Two copros were also agreed between Malaysian and Turkish companies. Funcel in Malaysia and Turkey’s Semerkand Yapim have linked up for one as-yet untitled series, while Malaysia’s Frogtale Studios is partnering with Turkey’s Karton Roboton on another.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Giggle Garage and Funny Flux in South Korea are working on animated series Katuri, while Malaysian prodco Lil’ Critter Workshop has joined forces with another Korean studio, Grafizix Co, on the show FrienZoo.

Animasia Studio has also struck a sales deal with US distributor NCircle Entertainment for its animated preschool series ABC Monsters (26×22’) covering the North American market.

The agreement, which has led to the sale of its DVD ABC Monsters Volume 1 by major retailers such as Walmart, Target and Toys ’R Us across North America, will now be expanded to digital distribution, with an upcoming launch of the show on Hulu.

Additionally, US content and brand management company Genius Brands International has acquired ABC Monsters for its new Kid Genius channel, which debuts on Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand service in the US this fall.

“We are very glad to be able to team up with NCircle Entertainment to bring ABC Monsters content into the North American market,” said Animasia Studio’s MD Edmund Chan. “It is definitely a big push for the ABC Monsters brand and the beginning of a great venture together.”

Separately, the Honorable Dato´ Jailani Johari, together with the country’s National Film Development Corporation, has unveiled Malaysia’s first creative industry digital app, called Kr8tif Express.

The app will make information on current developments and insights into the Malaysian feature film, TV, animation, games, music, licensing and publishing industries available to local and international players.