Kre8tif! Conference 2014 to Further Enhance Local Creative Content Industry

Internationally acclaimed creative content professionals to share exciting insights with local creative minds

KUALA LUMPUR, 18th March, 2014: Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) recently launched the fourth iteration of its international creative content conference. Termed Kre8tif! Conference 2014, the two-day event which took place at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPac) was officiated by Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Minister of Communication & Multimedia and witnessed by Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, Chief Executive Officer of MDeC.

Held for the fourth time since it was first introduced in 2009, Kre8tif! Conference 2014 is an initiative from MDeC’s Kre8tif! platform that aims to spark innovation and exploration of the major trends across the creative sector. The conference will feature sharing sessions for passionate practitioners within the creative scene, as well as gathering leading minds in digital content, arts and the entertainment industry for a weekend of theoretical and practical knowledge sharing. Kre8tif! also hopes to cultivate interaction and empower local and regional budding innovators and industry professionals on various topics pertaining to the creative and animation industry.

Mr. Kamil Othman (Vice President for the Creative Multimedia Cluster at the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC)), Datuk Badlisham Ghazali (Chief Executive Officer, MDeC), Y.B Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Minister of Communications & Multimedia), Dato’ Sri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi (Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Communications & Multimedia), Datuk Che Azemi Haron (Deputy Chief Secretary II the Ministry of Communications & Multimedia) and Ng Wan Peng (Chief Operating Officer, MDeC).

The "pohon beringin" (Banyan tree) art installations, illustrated in ornate Wayang Kulit style which marks the theme for Kre8tif! Conference 2014 is a symbolic representation of the fact that the creative industry in Malaysia is thriving today, with the potential to grow further through the infusion of rich local culture and digital proliferation. This will encourage local players to focus on new and existing strands in the creative content sphere, such as digital arts and social media, gaming, film, animation as well as content and scriptwriting.

Speaking about the programme, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Minister of Communication and Multimedia said “Malaysia has come a long way in developing its creative industry over the past decade. In the past few years we have seen the successful introduction of the country’s very own animation movies and series to the international arena. I am pleased to see that Kre8tif! has seen the support of so many renowned creative experts from around the world at Kre8tif! and I hope that they will continue to support MDeC’s initiative in creating more opportunities for the Malaysian industry and creative content talents in the future.”

Datuk Badlisham Ghazali (CEO, MDeC) giving his opening speech at Kre8tif! Conference 2014.

Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, CEO of MDeC also expressed his excitement for this year’s event, saying, “The Malaysian creative content industry is estimated to be worth RM16 billion,  based on figures from the advertising, TV and films, radio, animation, games, music, interactive software and new media segments. In fact, we are now even exploring different revenue streams from gaming, licensing and merchandising, edutainment and mobile apps. Platforms such as this will help support the creative content industry which already contributes about 1.6% to Malaysia’s GDP. The speakers and presenters that will be speaking at Kre8rif! are well known experts in their respective fields. Therefore we hope that our participants will make full use of this opportunity and continue to boost their skills, knowledge and capabilities.”

The programme featured industry leaders and pioneers from various art, entertainment and design industries. They include:
• John Hughes, President of the John Hughes Institute and the founder of Rhythm and Hues and led the studio for 26 years, earning three Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects (“Babe,” “The Golden Compass,” and “Life of Pi,”) as well as five technical Academy Awards for achievements in science and engineering, including in 2014 for Rhythm & Hues animation program.
• Catherine Owens, Artist & Director, is an Irish artist and director living in New York City. Her work is largely installation based, originating from ideas that evolve through drawings, painting, sculpture, photography, sound, film and video. She is known for her collaborative work as the creative director of screen imagery for the Irish band U2 on their last five world tours. She is the principle co-director and a producer of the film titled U23D.
• Diffan Norman, Artist, Filmmaker & Designer, is a Kuala Lumpur born Los Angeles based multi-disciplinary artist, filmmaker and designer. Diffan's diverse body of work has been featured at the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, ResFest, The International Film Festival of Rotterdam, The 27th Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Fest, The New York Asian American International Film Festival, BDA World Gold Design Awards, and The National Art Gallery of Malaysia.
• Yoshioki Okamoto, General Manager, Global Business Development, is passionate about the effective use of technology, media and cultural resonance, especially in emerging markets.  He has been a key driving force in forging alliances with leaders in the Internet, Communication and Technology industry in Southeast Asia

For more information on the two-day Kre8tif! Conference 2014, please visit http://mscmalaysia.my/kre8tif