Local animation has potential to penetrate international market - MDEC

From Nur Adila Abdul Wahab

CANNES (France), May 18 (Bernama) -- The local animation has the potential to penetrate the international market as Malaysia possesses technological capabilities in the industry, said Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chairman Datuk Seri Md Alwi Che Ahmad.

He said local animation products such as Upin & Ipin had begun to gain a foothold in the foreign market and even received overwhelming response from neighbouring countries.

"Our potential (animation industry) is big, so we need capabilities as we have the technology. In Malaysia, we are quite advanced in this sector. We have begun to take steps and MDEC is able to help," he told reporters at the Malaysian Pavilion in conjunction with the Marche Du Film, Palais des Festivals, here today.

Md Alwi said MDEC as the lead agency that encouraged more animated film productions would continue to intensify promotion to enable the country's animation industry to penetrate the global market.

According to him, the Marche Du Film is the best platform for MDEC to promote and introduce national animation products such as Upin & Ipin, Ejen Ali, Mechamato and Batik Girl.

"MDEC must carry the Malaysian flag here (Marche Du Film) and state that animation is a big thing because in the film industry there has to be training in acting, producing and so on.

"However, in animation, all these are not needed. What is important is to have innovation in producing good animation. Like Upin & Ipin we don't need names or big directors but yet we have shown we are successful. That's why MDEC has come here and hopefully we can add more investments for our country, " he said.

Md Alwi said his party would also open more opportunities for local companies to apply for grants and subsequently produce more animated films to be featured internationally.

Marche Du Film is the film industry’s largest gathering for producers, financiers, broadcasters, distributors, suppliers and buyers from around the world to meet, share ideas and make deals.

A total of 250 companies from 110 countries are participating in the nine-day film market which began yesterday (May 17).

-- BERNAMA