KUCHING: The Digital Ministry will host an international animated film festival early next year in Sarawak to highlight local talent and pull investment into Malaysia’s creative industry.
Minister Gobind Singh Deo said they want the festival to help local talent succeed not only in Malaysia, but also in the region and become global leaders in the field.
"The aspect we have to focus on is how we can globalise the country's existing talents.
"I went to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France last year, which was a platform to attract overseas investors in animation, so I wonder why we are not organising such a global programme," he said.
Speaking at the Digital Malaysia Tour Programme (JMD) here on Friday (May 16), he said Sarawak has the potential to be a Malaysian digital content hub that links the state's heritage and cultural sector to the world.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said in his speech that the state government was ready to provide full support to the international festival.
"We could share the allocation (for the programme), and invite all the major players (in the creative industry) of the world to come here and give input so that we can upgrade the content creativity and at the same time establish a global network," he said.
The JMD initiative, driven by the Malaysian Digital Economic Corporation (MDEC), is an ongoing government effort to boost the digital ecosystem throughout the country.
The event also presented MDEC creative content grants to two local companies, Betapuru Digital Sdn Bhd and Metadise Sdn Bhd. - Bernama
