SINGAPORE, April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The second edition of the Singapore Media Festival (SMF) returns this November, said Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) today. This year, the annual SMF will run from 26 November to 6 December, bringing together a seamless market for film, TV, conferences, awards and festival screenings.

Global industry players looking to expand their media business in Asia can expect a more vibrant marketplace and a bigger celebration of the best content and media talent in the region. The festival will see the return of established media events including the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF); Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) and ScreenSingapore (SS); and the Asian Television Awards.

In 2014, the inaugural SMF concluded to resounding response, bearing testament to Asia's growing importance in the global entertainment landscape. The Festival was fruitful in many ways for event partners and the public. SGIFF made a strong comeback to the regional film circuit, unveiling 147 movies from 50 countries supported by strong ticket sales. SGIFF's competition section, the Silver Screen Awards, gave a total of nine prizes for emerging filmmakers in Asian Feature Films and Southeast Asian Short Films.

Deals between Singapore players with regional, international media players were announced at SMF, including the launch of a S$130 million (US$100 million) media fund for investments in China's media and entertainment industry. A record number of attendees and exhibitors and approximately S$355.1 million (US$256.28 million) in sales deals were also registered at the ATF/SS.

The SMF also saw new deals formed between established international media players. A strategic cooperation between China's online video platform, Tencent, with FOX International Channels saw both partners embark on an endeavour to make over 300 hours of programming and documentaries from National Geographic available to the mainland China market.

Asian Television Awards, which awards the best of regional television, received over 1,300 entries and was broadcasted to approximately 50 million households across Asia.

Robert Gilby, Chairman of the Singapore Media Festival advisory board, Managing Director  of the Walt Disney Company (SEA), said, "The Singapore Media Festival serves as a platform for creative, content and commerce leaders from Singapore, Asia and other regions around the globe to come together to form fruitful partnerships, that place Singapore as Asia's leading hub for content creation. The board is greatly heartened by the meaningful partnerships forged and vibrant exchange of ideas at SMF 2014. We look forward to expanding the relationships and industry discussions in an even more successful edition in 2015."

Angeline Poh, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry), Media Development Authority, added, "The Singapore Media Festival aims to be one of Asia's flagship media events that facilitates exchanges within the industry and shines the spotlight on Singapore and Asian content." She added, "We will continue to promote collaboration around new avenues of content creation and delivery as well as audience engagement."

For more information, please contact:

Joannah Zhong
Executive, Industry Communications
Media Development Authority 
Tel: +65-9728-9956
Email: joannah_zhong@mda.gov.sg

About Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)

The Media Development Authority of Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg) promotes the growth of globally competitive film, television, radio, publishing, games, animation and interactive digital media industries. It also regulates the media sector to safeguard the interests of consumers, and promotes a connected society. MDA is a statutory board under the Ministry of Communications and Information (www.mci.gov.sg).

About SMF

The Singapore Media Festival, hosted by Media Development Authority is set to become one of Asia's leading international media events, where the industry meets to discover the latest trends, talent and content in Asia for Film and TV. It brings together established media events -- Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) and ScreenSingapore (SS), Asian Television Awards and Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), which will take place from 26 November to 6 December 2015.

About Singapore International Film Festival Ltd. (SGIFF)

Singapore International Film Festival Ltd. is a non-profit organisation that holds the Institution of a Public Character (IPC) status. It is the home of the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), the largest and longest-running film event in Singapore founded in 1987. The SGIFF has become an iconic event in the Singapore arts calendar that is widely attended by international film critics, and recognised worldwide for its focus on Asian filmmakers and promotion of Southeast Asian films. The festival also serves as a catalyst to arouse the widest public interest in the arts and encourage artistic dialogue and cultural exchange. For more information, please visit www.sgiff.com

About Reed Exhibitions - Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) and ScreenSingapore (SS)

Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading events organiser, with over 500 events in 43 countries. In 2014 Reed brought together over seven million event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of the RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries. (www.reedexpo.com.sg)   

About Contineo Media – Asian Television Awards

Contineo Media ranks as one of Asia's leading business-business information providers. Headquartered in Singapore, Contineo Media also operates in China with office in Beijing. As a multi-platform information provider, Contineo Media connects buyers and sellers through its print products, websites, electronic newsletters, e-books, video channels, conferences and industry awards. Contineo Media's expertise is focused on two sectors -- Broadcast content and production, and Manufacturing. Brands in its stable include Television Asia Plus, Asia Image, Asia Audio, Music Asia, Payload Asia, Control Engineering Asia, Logistics Insight Asia, PharmaAsia, and Asia Food Journal. Brand extensions in China include Asia Image Mandarin Edition, Control Engineering Asia-China, Pharma Asia-China, Asia Food Journal-China and Electronic Manufacturing Asia-China.Leading industry awards organised by Contineo Media include the Asian Television Awards, Apollo Awards, Payload Asia Awards, and Asian Manufacturing Awards.

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SOURCE Media Development Authority of Singapore