Singapore makes a strong showing at the 2017 Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), with 77 media companies showcasing their latest works at the Market’s Singapore Pavilion. ATF is part of the on-going Singapore Media Festival, and runs from 29 November to 1 December 2017.

Presented by the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA), the lineup includes over 800 hours of compelling Asian stories, with 138 film, television, VR and game titles from a diverse range of genres. Ranging from animation and documentaries to dramas and reality programmes, they are produced and distributed by local companies like Robot Playground Media, BananaMana Films, XTREME Media, Monstrou Studio, Clover Films and more.

New seasons and titles for 2018 and beyond (Television Picks) | Fresh content, first time in market. Hit It is an award-winning gameshow format that takes a spin off normal sports games, pitting two teams against each other in a series of comedic sports-linked challenges. Produced by Xtreme Media, the original and ingenious format came out tops at last year’s inaugural ATF Formats Pitch. It has since been produced in Singapore and commissioned for Mediacorp’s Suria channel, and will debut in February 2018.

Internationally-acclaimed animation series, Oddbods follows the adventures of seven adorable characters as they traverse their way through the most seemingly-ordinary situations, often with unexpected consequences. Produced by Singapore-based One. Animation and distributed by Bomanbridge Media, the series will be releasing an Oddbods Christmas Special for the first time, which follows the motley crew as they attempt to save Santa and Christmas from the trouble they’ve created.

Oddbods is broadcasted in over 100 countries internationally, and was recently announced as one of the 2018 International Emmy Kids Awards nominees.  Art of Craft by Beach House Pictures explores the compelling human stories behind the world’s leading master craftsmen and the stunning beauty of their pieces. It aims to share with audiences the authenticity, passion and unusual skills of these modern day artists in their pursuit of perfection. New seasons and titles for 2018 and beyond (Film Picks)  The Violinist by Robot Playground Media brings audiences on a moving story of a legendary violinist, as she recounts her life and career spanning across 80 years of Malaya, Singapore and Southeast Asian history.

The 90-minute feature-length animation was adapted from Robot Playground’s well-received short film, The Violin. The Wayang Kids follows a group of primary school students as they put aside their differences and overcome cultural and language barriers to represent their school in an international Chinese Opera performance. The animated family movie, produced by Singapore-based Brainchild Pictures in collaboration with China’s Beijing Film Academy – Youth Film Studio, looks to highlight and showcase Singapore’s different cultures and languages to young children. [Refer to Annex A for related announcement/press event]

A Simple Wedding follows the life of Su Yu, a free-spirited girl whose dreams of a simple, peaceful wedding gets overturned when she agrees to wed her fiancé, Nuo Yan. From overbearing in-laws, to jealous best friends, to a house on fire and a funeral on the wedding day itself, the romance comedy film by Clover Films, mm2 Entertainment and WeiYu Films is currently in post-production. Circle Line by Taipan Films Pte Ltd is a creature feature film that revolves around a subway ride turned deadly journey, as a group of strangers find themselves stuck on a train that is veering towards the deep uncharted lair of an unknown animal. As they band together to survive the night and find a way to safety, they are confronted by their own survival instincts – to survive as a group, or to think only for themselves. Asian stories in the spotlight | Original content with an Asian voice

The infotainment Unique Towns by August Pictures is a 10-episode series that will bring viewers on an exploration of the hidden stories behind unique towns around the world. They include a Japanese island village where cats outnumber humans, a town entangled in messy border enclaves between Holland and Belgium, as well as an Indian town famed for its Charlie Chaplin fans.  In Pursuit of Magic: Glamping Adventures by Freestate Productions explores sustainable tourism through glamping – camping with a touch of luxury and style. Each episode of the eight-part travel lifestyle series follows the journey of two glampers from diverse backgrounds as they traverse across a myriad of beautiful and exotic destinations Asia and beyond, including Cambodia, Mongolia, Indonesia and China. The series will premiere on Singapore’s Channel NewsAsia on 16 December 2017.

The Voice 决战好声 follows the phenomenally successful competition that has been reproduced in 65 countries worldwide, broadcasted in more than 180 countries and watched by over 500 million people across the globe. Produced by mm2 entertainment for Asia, the reality programme is produced across Singapore and Malaysia – the first time it involves two territories – and is available on StarHub’s multiplatform streaming service, StarHub Go. Eyes on Habitat by Hiverlab is an exciting multi-user curated VR storytelling experience that uses immersive technology to bring prominence to environmental conservation. From Singapore’s Sisters Island to the Anambas Islands in Indonesia, the unique training tools aid marine biology students and volunteers interested in marine conservation to learn invaluable skills that one would have only learnt on actual dives. The VR series is available in market for the first time. The PhoenIX by Warrior9, a Singapore-based VR content creation house, is an animated science-fiction series that uses the power of VR to give audiences an intuitive narrative experience. The series is set in the distant future where the human species has colonised the universe, but are now the target of an unknown enemy and only one group of mercenaries can save them – The PhoenIX. Events at the Singapore Pavilion

Upcoming film and television content offerings by participating Singapore media companies will be showcased during a Sneak Peeks session on Wednesday 29 November 2017, 3-4pm. Screenings include a new film by Byleft Productions and mm2 Entertainment, as well as previews of new TV programmes by Beach House Pictures and more. Singapore Hour – a networking reception organised by IMDA, where guests will get to meet and network with industry partners – will be held from 4.30pm – 5.30pm on Wednesday 29 November, and from 4pm – 5pm on Thursday 30 November.  These events, as well as several other joint venture signings and press conferences, will be held at the Singapore Pavilion (H08/E08, Level 5, Sands Expo & Convention Centre) over 29 and 30 November.