About

The third in XMediaLab’s series of Animation events focus on establishing Co-Production partnerships between commissioners, government funding bodies, commercial investors, and content creators and producers.

December 8-9th:  XML KL kicks off as part of Malaysia’s inaugural Krea8if! Media Festival – 2 days of talks, workshops, and business meetings, culminating in the national Animation Awards party.

December 10-11th: XMediaLab follows directly at the ultra-plush and brand-new Pullman Lakeside Hotel in the dazzling new purpose built administrative city of Putrajaya.

XML KL will enable selected companies to work on the their own animation co-production idea one-on-one with the superb line-up of International Mentors at the Lab. Even more, the selected companies, commissioners, funding bodies, and investors will be able to explore real co-production opportunities together during the Lab, as well as outsourcing, licensing, and international distribution.

Significant concrete outcomes can be expected to happen: the Malaysian Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) has allocated 70 million Ringgit for investment in 10-15 such co-productions over the next 2 years (AUD: 25 million; CNY: 140 million; INR: 97.29 Crore; USD: 20 million).

Participants at XML KL will get personal access to a first-class network of world Animation stars and power-brokers; direct contacts with government, business, and creative leaders in the animation industry from around the region; and opportunities to explore real co-production partnerships with real funding available.

All of this under the welcoming auspices of the always uniquely warm and civilized Malaysian hospitality.

International Mentors and Commissioners at XML KL include:

• John Stevenson - Director of Kung Fu Panda(Los Angeles)
• Eric Rollman - President of Marvel Animation and Comics (Los Angeles)
  
• Henry LaBounta - Chief Visual Office, Electronic Arts (Vancouver)
• Suresh Seetharaman - Founder & CEO of Liquid Animation and Comics (New York, Bangalore)
  
• Prof. Isaac Kerlow - Author of The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects (Singapore)
• Christine Thaurup - General Manager, Worldwide Outsourcing for Eidos (Shanghai)
  
• Ming Chan - CEO/CTO of The 1st Movement (Los Angeles, Denver)
• Sue Erokan - Chief Character Animator at Dreamworks (San Francisco)
• Si-Bum Kim - Renowned Korean animation guru (Seoul)
  
• Sandrine Pechels De Saint Sardos - Vice President International Distribution at Bejuba Entertainment (Montreal)
• Tim Brooke-Hunt - Head of Children’s TV at the ABC (Sydney)
• Pradeep Mittur - Digital Entertainment Consultant, Formerly the Asia Pacific head of Walt Disney Internet Group and Paramount Pictures Digital (Singapore)
• Juhaidah Joemin - Presentative Office Manager of AI Jazeera Children's Channel (Malaysia)
• U-Wei Shaari - Award-winning Director (Malaysia)

To apply to attend XML KL as a delegate, investor, or co-production producer please submit your project.

Places are strictly limited, and the Lab is residential (hotel accommodation, transport, food, and beverage costs are all included in the participation fee, as well as entry into the Kre8tif! Festival).
 

The Mentors

XMediaLab has access to a superb roster of some of the world's leading digital media practitioners, innovators, and power-brokers.  International Mentors and Speakers for XMediaLab Malaysia "Wealth of Animation: Co-production" include (click image for full bio):

John Stevenson

Director of ‘Kung Fu Panda’ (Los Angeles)

John Stevenson is one the world’s pre-eminent animation With more than three decades of experience in filmed entertainment, John Stevenson brings a full and varied skill set to every project, all of which bear the stamp of his keen eye and unending creativity. His journey as co-director of Kung Fu Panda began in May of 2003. 

Eric Rollman

President of Marvel Animation (Los Angeles)
 
Eric Rollman is President of Marvel Animation.  In his current capacity as President, Eric is responsible for development, financing, production, co-productions, marketing and worldwide distribution to television and home entertainment of all animated television and film properties. 

Ming Chan

Emmy Award Winning Digital Media Strategist and CEO of The1stMovement (Los Angeles, Denver)
 
As CEO/CTO of The1stMovement, Ming Chan brings a passion and dedication to digital advertising technology rarely seen in the industry today. 

Suresh Seetharaman

Founder and President, Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation (Bangalore, New York)

Suresh Seetharaman is the co founder and President of Virgin Animation and Virgin Comics.
 

Christine Thaarup

General Manager, Eidos Shanghai (Shanghai)

Christine Thaarup joined Eidos and the game industry in 2004 with IO-Interactive in Copenhagen, Denmark.  She oversaw the integration of outsourcing as a natural part of the workflow in production of Hitman, Kane & Lynch, and Mini Ninjas.

Henry LaBounta

Chief Visual Officer, Electronic Arts (Vancouver)
 
LaBounta is currently working with the Need for Speed, Godfather and Skate teams. He recently completed work on EA's new highly rated game Skate while he consulted on Burnout Paradise and Need for Speed Pro Street.

Sue Erokan

Production Supervisor for Character Animation at Dreamworks (San Francisco)

Sue Erokan is the Production Supervisor for Character Animation at Dreamworks Animation.  

Si-Bum Kim

Founder and CEO at Characterline Korea (Seoul)

Si-Bum Kim is one the most highly respected and influential people in Korean animation, combining both creative production and industry policy development.

Tim Brooke-Hunt

Executive Head of Children's Content, ABC TV (Sydney)

Previously a producer of children’s programs, Tim Brooke-Hunt  joined ABC Television in September 2007 as Executive Head of Children’s Content.

Isaac Kerlow

Author of "The Art of 3D Computer Animation Effects" (Singapore)

Isaac Kerlow is a visual creator who continues to pioneer the use of digital and computer technology to produce creative content.

Pradeep Mittur

Digital Entertainment Consultant, Formerly the Asia Pacific head of Walt Disney Internet Group and Paramount Pictures Digital (Singapore)

An experienced Interactive and Digital entertainment executive, having performed with renowned Hollywood Studios, Pradeep brings a multifaceted background in interactive advertising, marketing, multi-platform digital strategy, brand development in new media, viral marketing and global distribution.

Juhaidah Joemin

Juhaidah Joemin is the Representative Office Manager of Al Jazeera Children’s Channel, a Qatar-based Pan-Arab edutainment channel.

U-Wei Shaari

Award-winning Director (Malaysia)

Award-winning U-Wei is often described as one of Malaysia’s finest directors as well as one who would not shy away from incorporating taboo social issues in his productions for the sake of avoiding controversies.

Sandrine Pechels De Saint Sardos

Vice President International Distribution

With almost 20 years of TV experience, Sandrine came to Bejuba! Entertainment in February 2007 because of her love and passion for Children's programming.

The Lab

XMediaLab is a uniquely exciting creative event for digital media professionals.

The Lab itself is an intensive two-day creative ideas and business matching environment for the selected participants who get to work directly on their own project ideas with a range of the world's best digital media experts, and build business opportunities with other Lab participants.

The XMediaLab experience increases the chances of getting your project idea to market and achieving commercial success. You also enter into an impeccable international network of digital media stars with their superb expertise and high-value international contacts.

The environment of the Lab allows participating companies and teams to schedule their own unique Lab experience by selecting for themselves which Mentors they choose to spend their one-on-one time with.

It's a form of elite personal consultation with a range of the world's outstanding digital media people about your own project ideas. And you make friends with the international stars.

Previous project teams have ranged from independent start-ups which have gone on to win awards at MIPCOM in Cannes, UNESCO in New York, AIMIA in Australia; to Lonely Planet; ABC’s Rage and The Chaser; Disney Internet Group from Tokyo; Zuji.com; India’s biggest games and animation company; and world leading Virtual Worlds platform. Project teams have come from the UK, Hong Kong, China, Australia, Japan, Germany, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and New Zealand.

The "X" in XMediaLab stands for: Cross Platform, Cross Disciplinary, and Cross Cultural.

The 2009 Malaysia Lab is looking for great projects which are "Co-Production" ready.  Projects can range across animation, games, mobile applications, interactive entertainment and content.

Projects may have an entertainment, cultural, educational, or an informational basis.

The Lab is residential and will be a completely unique and sensational experience!

For Malaysian Project Teams the fee is just MYR 1000 per team member: inclusive of Kre8tif! and XML registration fees; 1 night accommodation at the spectacular Pullman Hotel in Putrajaya; all food and beverages; and the high-level international networking outcomes you will have from participating!

For International Project Teams the fee is just MYR 3000 per team member: inclusive of Krea8tif! and XML registration; 2 nights accommodation at the Royal Chulyan Hotel in Kuala Lumper (KL's brand new - 5 star hotel); 2 nights accommodation at the spectacular Pullman Hotel in Putrajaya; all food and beverages; and the ultimate experience of Dynamic Malaysia.

You can submit your project idea here.

Previous Lab participants have been laudatory in their praise for this unique experience. Typical comments include:

Getting There

The Kre8tif! Festival will be held at the Royal Chulyan Hotel in Kuala Lumper (KL's brand new - 5 star hotel).

XMediaLab Malaysia "Wealth of Animation - Co-Production" will be held at the plush brand new Pullman Lakeside Hotel in the dazzling new purpose built administrative city of Putrajaya.

The Lab is residential - hotel accommodation, transport, food and beverage costs are all included in the participation fee, as well as entry into the Kre8tif! Festival.

Transport for international participants will be arranged from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya.

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