CANNES (FRANCE), April 14 (Bernama) -- The largest television content trade forum, the 2013 Marche International de Programmes de Television (MIPTV) which was held at the Palais de Festival in the French Riviera here from April 8 to 11 came to an end last Friday.
Malaysia's pavilion themed 'Empowering Content For The World' which was organised by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), brought together 40 delegates ranging from animation, drama and documentary film producers to buyers and distributors.
Also present at the mission led by Finas board member Richard Ung were representatives from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Multimedia Development Corporation in association with the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation, and the Creative Content Association of Malaysia.
Animation series production company Artakus Sdn Bhd's executive producer Ahmad Patria Abdullah said Finas was of great assistance in helping them in their first foray into the forum.
"Finas smoothened the way for us and even organised and planned our marketing strategy," he said to Bernama at the Malaysian pavilion recently.
Established in April 2010 by three friends, Ahmad Norzamzi Borhan, Abdul Halim Ab Samad and Ahmad Patria, Artakus Sdn Bhd is the first Malaysian company to produce a 3D animation series for television.
Artakus' first project 'Karmawizra' is a 13-episode series costing RM2.6 million based on the fantasy novel Artakusiad Saga authored by Ahmad Patria.
'Karmawizra", which has not been aired in Malaysia yet, drew much attention from the buyers and distributors at MIPTV among them from Greece, Belgium, Turkey, United States, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Canada, Algeria and Tunisia.
Meanwhile, Animonsta Studios International Sales director Anas Abdul Aziz said," We get to meet many industry players from around the world here. We also learn about their demands and this enables us to produce better quality programmes."
Animonsta's main focus at this year's forum is the 26-episode children's animation series Boboi Boy which has a 1.7 million rating in Malaysia and also airs on Global TV, Indonesia and Suria in Singapore.
Meanwhile, Bright Network Sdn Bhd managing director and producer Raja Alawiah Idris said even though she did not utilise the facilities provided by Finas, she still had her meetings with buyers and distributors at the Malaysian pavilion.
"Every year Finas improves the Malaysian pavilion to cater to the international clientele" said Raja Alawiah who has been frequenting MIPTV for the past 10 years.
The 2013 MIPTV gathered 11,000 participants from 100 countries; 1,600 exhibitors; 4,000 buyers; 1,200 production companies and 300 journalists.