Kuala Lumpur – Local animators emerged as the winner of the international animation festival in Seoul, Korea. The Malaysian animated IP called, Alamaya: Garden of Beautiful Creatures, created by an MSC Malaysia Status Company, Shock3D! Sdn Bhd was awarded as the Best Planning – 8th Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival Promotion Plan Competition (SPP). This is the fourth consecutive year which Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), the leading Government agency for ICT initiative, helped to submit Malaysian animation entries to SPP. Among the past Malaysian animation that have made it to SPP was Saladin, which emerged as the winner for Best Technology at the 5th SPP Competition, three years ago. Joining and supporting Shock3D! during the award ceremony was MDeC and other supporting Malaysian delegates who were present to participate at the SPP B2B Matchmaking Event. The Malaysian delegates represented by Backbone Entertainment Sdn Bhd, Cartoon4Kids Sdn Bhd, Centraline Animation Sdn Bhd, Elemental Ventures Sdn Bhd, Kolej Yayasan Sabah, MFX Sdn Bhd, Tripod Entertainment Sdn Bhd, and Young Jump Animation Sdn Bhd. Due to be released by the first quarter of 2011 in local theatres, the story tells a tale of a local child living in the suburbs of SS2, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia who is mysteriously led into a fantasy world teaming with bizarre and odd creatures. The little antagonist finds that he is rather reluctant to stay at first, until a series of events unfold revealing his greater purpose being in this other worldly place. Kamil Othman, vice president – creative multimedia policy of MDeC who led the Malaysian delegation for the Korean Animation Week said that this is an indication that local producers such as Shock3D! and the local talents have the capability and technical know-how to produce animation that can compete with the world’s best. “Everyone talks about Korean, Japanese and American animation giants; at this festival, we have proven that Malaysia has the potential to match their quality standards.” Othman said. According to Adam Ham, manager – entertainment & media specialist of MDeC, “The most gratifying element is our ability to open up the minds of the global creative community to the potential of what Malaysia has as a creative hub. It is now time to move ahead and make sure Alamaya gets off the ground as a viable project that will open doors for Malaysian resources such as talents, facilities and services.”