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Made in Malaysia A snapshot of the animation and digital content in the region shows an industry that is thriving despite a challenging year.
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ith 60 animation studios operating as both IP creators and producing worldclass service work for a global market, Malaysia boasts a strong pipeline of domestic and international projects that have helped the industry weather a tough period. “The total digital content industry in Malaysia stands at RM 7 billion ($1.68 billion) with exports doubling since 2014 to RM 1 billion ($240 million),” says Hasnul Hadi Samsudin, the VP of Digital Creative Content at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). “This stellar growth has been supported by a strong workforce, averaging over 10,000 jobs. Our homegrown animation studios that have produced more than 65 original IPs and seen their work travel to 120-plus countries, with an export value of RM 170 million ($40 million).” According to Samsudin, most animation studios in the country have maintained their workforce throughout the earliest months of the pandemic, through distributed work and management of the pipeline. “Through 1H2020, the industry is consolidating its momentum by keeping most the operations still active while navigating the Movement Control Order (MCO) enacted by the govern- measures will be implemented through pubment, initially as a pure work-from-home mod- lic-private partnership,” says Samsudin. “Specifel and later, with the latest version of the MCO ically for MDEC, we have received RM 35 million entering a recovery phase since the end of June, of funding under the Digital Content Grant with studios resuming normal operations and ready focus on animation and visual effects projects. to scale up their pipeline once again.” The grant can cover a broad range of activities He notes that the response of Malaysian such as development, production / co-producstudios has stayed very positive since the MCO tion and IP marketing & licensing.” period, with studios contributing dozens of MDEC is also offering multiple programs Public Service Announcements based on their to boost the local and regional ecosystem. As well-known IPs, running Digital VS COVID do- Samsudin mentions, “In addition, MDEC drives nations to assist healthcare workers and other IP development through the DC3 and DCG; upskilling the talent pool thus enfront-liners and mobilizing their artists, engineers and staff with suring a funnel for the studios to machines to be home based. grow via grassroot programs such The Government has allocatas Kre8tif!@schools, DICE UP and related development programs; ed RM 225 million to spur the and building scale in the industry growth of the creative industry through structured incubation prothrough programs and soft loans Hasnul Hadi under the National Economic gram to catalyze start-ups.” Samsudin Recovery Plan (PENJANA). “These The Government of Malaysia www.animationmagazine.net
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through MDEC has also been running a Virtual Buyer Fly-In Program where buyers get the opportunity to speak to the region’s top animation companies about a variety of solutions, including IP development and services. “The upcoming Kre8tif! Virtual Conference plays a unifying role in the Malaysian ecosystem growth, gathering the best of the industry within the region to facilitate business and networking opportunities,” says the VP. “Founded in 2009, this small gathering of industry, talent and partners has grown to be an exciting and vibrant part of the Southeast Asian animation and VFX scene.” Among the many benefits of working with Malaysian studios: Malaysian animation studios are committed to world-class production pipelines. Over the years the talent pool and studios have grown exponentially, which will eventually lead to many new IPs being created. They can handle multiple collaboration and co-production projects with international studios and broadcasters. Language is not a barrier, as English is widely spoken. “We are proud of our strong and diverse multicultural and multiracial heritage which also promotes good work ethic,” says Samsudin. “They can understand and blend various different cultures and languages across the region. On top of that, Malaysia offers a vast array of flora and fauna which inspire new stories that can travel the world!”
Success Stories In 2019, three well-crafted animated features were released on the big screen: Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal (Les Copaque), BoBoiBoy Movie 2 (Animonsta) and Ejen Ali: The Movie (WAU Animation). Upin & Ipin won the Best Feature Film at the Montreal International Animated Film Festival 2019 and was the first Malaysian animation to be shortlisted for nomination at the Oscars in 2020. BoBoiBoy received the Best Poster/Best september|october 20
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