c-suite Viddsee is empowering Asian storytellers through meaningful content By Monina Eugenio
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ingapore-based online video platform Viddsee is more than just short films.
Its identity lies in empowering Asian filmmaking talent through the stories they tell. From supporting young filmmakers to spearheading meaningful initiatives that benefit others, here’s how Viddsee is making an indelible mark in the industry today. Viddsee co-founder and COO Derek Tan talks to Television Asia Plus on the company’s growth, presence, projects, and what’s in store for 2021. Television Asia Plus (TVA): Looking back on 2020, has Viddsee seen significant growth this year? If so, what are these? Derek Tan (DT): The year has definitely been a challenging one for the entire media industry. Despite the setbacks in early 2020, we’ve managed to grow our reach and influence across the region. From an audience perspective, for countries harder hit by the pandemic like Indonesia, we have seen a growth of over 40% in our monthly active users. 10
December 2020 television asia plus
The company’s fundamental growth continues to be on track, with more original content, initiatives, and partnerships with broadcasters and media companies across the region. Viddsee Studios, our content creation and marketing arm has created new Viddsee Original content, with 80 titles comprising short films, documentaries, and series—together with over 70 media companies in Singapore. TVA: Viddsee has launched many initiatives and partnerships, such as the ‘As One’ initiative with Singapore and Indonesia’s RCTI+, how do these boost Viddsee’s presence in Southeast Asia? DT: We made several significant partnerships this year, notably with Singapore’s Mediacorp as the first local content partner under its Lights.Camera.Singapore initiative, and content partnerships with Indonesia’s major broadcasters MNC and Emtek with their streaming platforms RCTI+ and Vidio, respectively, which now features dozens of short films under a Viddsee channel.
All three work in several ways in raising the profile and perception of short-form content across the region, the awareness of local filmmakers, and Viddsee’s brand as a whole. From an audience and Viddsee’s perspective, being available on these streaming platforms bring short-form content to masses across Indonesia and Singapore, and it gives people the chance to appreciate the craft of local filmmakers. From an industry perspective, having our films across multiple platforms improves the visibility of short-form content as a way to discover under-the-radar filmmakers and testout new IPs across different market segments. Beyond just being a platform for short-form entertainment, our StoriesTogether initiative is our way of showing that films can also be a force for good, and galvanise people to help others. The initiative started earlier this year as a response to the pandemic to bring a sense of togetherness through watch parties and providing opportunities for filmmakers to carry on during times of crisis. In November, we rolled out StoriesTogether Originals, which comprises short films, series, and documentaries that were made through the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s Public Service Content Fund. The initiative allowed us to commission projects to 21 media companies, providing opportunities to hundreds of freelancers in the Singaporean filmmaking industry. Apart from that, the StoriesTogether Originals are also used to drive donations to Community Chest, which supports over 80 social agencies in helping vulnerable communities in Singapore. We’re also excited that Rock Entertainment is also on board with the initiative, and have partnered with us to feature and promote these original productions on two channels: Blue Ant Entertainment and Blue Ant Extreme, starting January 2021. TVA: Viddsee has been active in promoting and uplifting filmmaking talent in short films from Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines through the Viddsee Juree Awards. What factors do you look for when selecting winners and what do you expect to see in terms of submission moving forward? DT: Selecting the winners is never an easy
