SINGAPORE - The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Mediacorp announced today (Oct 6) the launch of a new Content Development Fund to bolster the quality and creativity of local content.

The three-year $3 million fund will provide seed money to local creators to test fresh concepts and formats.

The Content Development Fund is open to Singapore-registered companies only. Successful projects from the open call for proposals should cater to local audiences of Mediacorp channels and platforms, including Channel 5, Channel 8, okto, Suria, Vasantham, Channel NewsAsia and Toggle. The deadline for submissions is Nov 17, 6pm.

IMDA's assistant chief executive (industry development) Angeline Poh said: "By harnessing the value of technology and combining it with expert storytelling techniques, we can reinvent the way stories are told. (We) aim to encourage creative individuals to think out of the box... that will keep our local public service content exciting for Singaporean audiences in this digital age."

One recent example of how new technology is being adopted is the upcoming Channel 5 drama, Missing, which will be the first Virtual Reality (VR) series produced in partnership with WaWa Pictures and Vostok VR.

Missing will air next February.

More information is available at www.mediacorp.sg/en/partners-suppliers/fy17-call-for-proposals-for-psb-…