MDEC channels RM7.2m to 34 creative industry players this year, says Fahmi
Bernama
December 17, 2022
MDEC channels RM7.2m to 34 creative industry players this year, says Fahmi
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 17): Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has channelled grants totalling RM7.2 million to 34 creative industry players this year, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the animation series, Mechamato, by local animation company Animonsta Studios Sdn Bhd, which is one of the recipients of the MDEC Digital Content Grant, had created history after it was listed in the top three at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2023 recently.
“I was made to understand that Mechamato was also the only series from Malaysia that was among the Top 10 nominations at the festival award.
“This proved that Malaysia's creative animation production [is] world-class and the government will continue to be committed to providing continuous support to further empower the industry under the national digital economy agenda,” he said in his address at the launch of Malaysia Digital Content Festival 2022 (MYDCF 2022) here, on Saturday.
The text of his speech was read by the Ministry of Communications and Digital secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek.
Fahmi said the creative industry and digital content have made a significant impact on Malaysia's digital economy and have successfully exported local talents that are recognised globally.
Citing an example, he said Lyon Liew, who is now working at Hollywood Studio Pixar, had been listed among the creative workers for the Coco animated fantasy film which won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
Liew was also involved in The Incredibles 2 animated film.
Besides that, Fahmi said a local studio, Lemon Sky Studios, has produced computer-generated imagery for renowned video games such as Final Fantasy Seven — Remake, Spiderman, Last of Us Part Two, and Marvel’s Avengers.
"What is more proud is that Malaysians who had worked overseas have returned to the country to further enrich the local creative and digital content ecosystem."
Meanwhile, on intellectual property production, Fahmi said Malaysia should be proud when the Gigabash game, which has attracted the attention of international gamers, was produced in Malaysia by locals through Passion Republic Games.
On the creative industry and digital content market especially video games, he said this industry was projected to generate a revenue of up to RM977.8 billion globally by end-2022.
“Based on the size and potential of the industry, I am confident the Communications and Digital Ministry via MDEC will double the efforts to attract foreign investors to the country to further stimulate the local ecosystem.
"Continuous efforts to attract investments in the creative and digital content industry have resulted in the cooperation between local ecosystem and industry players and global investors such as Larian Studios, Bandai Namco, Xsolla, and Omens Studio,” he said, adding the ministry is hopeful to see more joint ventures signed between these parties in the future.
MYDCF 2022 is held in conjunction with Comic Fiesta for two days beginning today at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and is expected to draw over 40,000 visitors nationwide.
