SeeFood Proves Delicious in Cannes

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SeeFood proves Delicious in Cannes

Press Release from Global Creative & Media Agency

Cannes, 16 May 2011 – Golden Network Asia Limited has confirmed during the 10 day Marche du Film in Cannes, France that Malaysian-made Feature Animation – “SeeFood” has successfully signed multiple distribution deals worldwide, worth over USD 2 Million.   

Golden Network Asia has officially reported to the Malaysian Pavilion in Cannes, which is hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) in association with the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and managed by the Global Creative and Media Agency (GCMA) at Marche du Film that their cumulative total so far since its introduction in the American Film Market towards the end of last year has concretized distribution deals worldwide to multiple nations in Asia, Latin America and Europe.

These include: Select Media Holdings for India, China Lion (Beijing) Cultural Media and Beijing Bona Film & Television Culture co. for China, Ciptu Mutu Entertainment for Indonesia, K& Entertainment for South Korea, Wild Side for France, Splendid for Germany, Duka Film for Turkey, California Filmes for Latin America, Luxor for Russia and former CIS regions, Kino Swiat of Poland, MT Entertainment of Indonesia, etc. Golden Network is in talks with distributors from other regions worldwide in Cannes and expect to secure more deals later this week.

“SeeFood”, supported partially by Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), is an animated feature film co-produced by Silver Ant (Malaysia) and Al Jazeera Children’s Channel (JCC), and was only recently launched in April during MIPTV 2011. This high-quality 3D animation production is 100% Made-in-Malaysia. This will mark JCC’s second major co-production with Malaysia, after its co-production with Malaysian Government-owned Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) on “Saladin: An Animated Series”.

The story follows the adventures of a bamboo shark named Pup. When human poachers steal egg sacs from him reef, Pup makes it his mission to save his brothers and sisters – and ends up leaving the sea and entering the beautiful but dangerous world of humans.

Carrie Wong, Managing Director of Golden Network Asia said: “This is my first time distributing Malaysian contents and I was impressed by the refreshing, novel and high quality animations that were produced by Malaysian talents. In the near future, I would be honoured to represent many more Malaysian programs, both animation and live action contents, as it has proven that Malaysian contents are acceptable worldwide.”

Mahyidin Mustakim, Director General of FINAS said: “Over the past 3 to 4 years, Malaysia has successfully made its name for its world-class animated TV series such as “Bola Kampung”, “Supa Strikas”, “Mustang Mama”, Flea-Bitten”, “Upin & Ipin”, “Boo & Me”, just to name a few, and now the Malaysians can proudly say that we are also starting to be successful in animated features.” When “SeeFood” is released this summer, it will be the third Malaysian animated movie ever to be completed and released, after Les’ Copaque Production’s “Geng: The Adventure Begins”, which was a hit in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, India, etc and Animasia Studio’s & Cartoon Network Asia’s “Bala Bowl” (70 mins tele-movie). The other Malaysian animation features to look out for would be Tripod Entertainment’s “War of the World: Goliath”, expected to be released during ComicCon 2011 (San Diego, CA) in July and Shock3D’s “Alamaya: Garden of Beautiful Creatures”, expected to be completed later this year as well.        

Adam Ham, Executive Director of GCMA, the agency appointed by the Malaysian Government to create marketing campaigns for the Malaysian Creative Content Market Access Trade Mission programs worldwide, also added: “As a result of this, I am pleased that Malaysia has reached yet another milestone for its Creative Content Industry, where SeeFood managed to penetrate so far 50% of the world population and we now hope that this will open the international market for other Malaysian animation producers with quality Malaysian contents.”  

During 11 – 20 May, 2011, FINAS, in association with MATRADE and facilitated by GCMA is making its presence felt at the Malaysian Pavilion at Marche du Film 2011 @ Cannes Film Festival at Stand G15c (Riviera Hall), while Golden Network Asia is promoting “SeeFood” at Stand E19 (Riviera Hall).

The screening for “SeeFood” at the Cannes Film Festival held on 16 May 5:30pm @ Lerins 1 was fully booked.

About National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS)
National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) was formed in the year 1981 through Malaysian Film Corporation Development Act, 1981 (Act 244). FINAS started to operate from the address of No. 7 Jalan Ampang Hilir, Kuala Lumpur exactly on November 1, 1981 under the Ministry of Trade and Industry Malaysia. Later, on October 16, 1986, FINAS was placed under the Ministry of Information. FINAS then changed its address to No. 198 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur before shifting to Merdeka Studio Complex, Hulu Kelang, on December 19, 1988. Starting March 27, 2004, it was re-assigned under the Ministry of Cultural, Arts and Heritage and now FINAS is under the Ministry of Information, Communication and Cultural.

The main objective of National Development FINAS is to promote, develop and facilitate film productions in Malaysia. Our vision is to uphold the National Cultural Heritage through films. Our mission is to develop the local film industry into the international standard. For filming, FINAS is the best source of information for permits, locations and a one stop centre for all your local requirements to ensure a smooth and successful shooting experience in Malaysia.

For more information, please go to www.finas.gov.my [1]

About Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)

Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is Malaysia’s National trade promotion agency. Established in March 1993, MATRADE’s primary role is to assist Malaysian exporters to develop and expand their export markets. Assisted by a network of 40 overseas offices located in Major commercial cities around the world, MATRADE provides a wide range of services and assistance to both Malaysian exporters and foreign importers who are sourcing for trade related information.

For more information, please go to www.matrade.gov.my [2]

About Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC)

Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) is a unique high powered government-owned corporation, established to facilitate the development and promotion of MSC Malaysia, the premier Malaysian ICT initiative. MDeC is tasked to advise the Malaysian Government on ICT legislation and policies, develop MSC Malaysia as a key growth driver of the economy and set breakthrough standards for ICT and multimedia operations. MDeC also promotes MSC Malaysia locally and globally, as well as supports companies which are located within the MSC Malaysia designated areas. MDeC works closely with various parties and government agencies to ensure that MSC Malaysia offers a conducive enabling environment for companies to harness the full potential of ICT and multimedia technologies.

For more information, please go to www.mscmalaysia.my [3]

About Global Creative & Media Agency (GCMA)

Global Creative and Media Agency (GCMA) has been established to catalyze and accelerate the growth of Malaysia’s modern entertainment & media industry in the hopes of bringing all the industry blocks in a unified effort between the Government & private sectors. Its main objective is to develop the entertainment & media industry and create strategic market access promotional campaigns that will maximize the economic growth, bridge convergence of media technologies, and promote Malaysia’s contents & services in the area of TV/film, animation, games, mobile, new media, etc.    

Today GCMA plays a critical role to facilitate market development, PR & media, foreign Government relations and industry development. Within Malaysia, GCMA has the largest & most up-to-date network of industry professionals in the private, public and academic sectors combine to bring you the very best contents and services.

For more information, please go to www.gcma.tv [4]

About Golden Network Asia

Golden Network Asia Limited is a Hong Kong-based sales company that distributes high quality films and television series that balance both artistic values and mainstream appeal. It regularly collaborates with the most dynamic production companies in Asia - including South Korea's The Kick Company, Thailand's Bangkok Filmstudio, Hong Kong's Bliss Pictures, Japan's Madhouse and Malaysia’s Silver Ant Sdn Bhd - so as to bring outstanding feature films and animations to key territories in Asia, Europe and America.

Our newest titles from China include the country's first genre movie, The Butcher, The Chef and the Swordsman and Tokyo competition best actor winner, heartwarming family drama THE PIANO IN A FACTORY;  and action-comedy GALLANTS, which is leading the wave of new vitality from Hong Kong; and THE KICK, a unique Thai-Korean collaboration in which director Prachya Pinkaew (Ong Bak, Chocolate) introduces a new generation of action stars from Korea to the audience.