Malaysia Digital Content Festival 2022 highlights digital creative content industry

• Burgeoning sector globally, especially gaming, projected to hit US$220.9bil sales for 2022
• US$1.63mil in grants to 34 recipients with continued government support promised

The Malaysia Digital Content Festival (MYDCF 2022) held in conjunction with Comic Fiesta and supported by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), is currently happening from 17 to 18 Dec at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

Expected to attract 40,000 attendees from all over Malaysia, the event was officiated yesterday by Mohammad Mentek, Secretary General of the Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD in Bahasa Malaysia) with Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MDEC.

Mentek stressed the importance of the burgeoning creative and digital content sector globally, especially gaming, that is expected to hit US$220.9 billion (RM977.8 billion) in sales by end 2022 according to Statista.

With MDEC having already given out US$1.63 million (RM7.2 million in grants to 34 digital content companies this year, Mentek emphasised continued government financial support for the sector with the grant allocation for 2023 to be announced once the ministry gets it budget allocation.

MYDCF is a platform that celebrates the best of digital creative content developed by Malaysian and Southeast Asia creators. In line with Malaysia Digital (MD), MDEC aims to further strengthen the digital creative ecosystem in Malaysia, promote collaborations across the region, and celebrate the best of what Malaysian creators have to offer along with supporting and empowering local talent.

Among Malaysian animation studios creating waves internationally, mentioned by Mentek is Monsta Studios, an MDEC grant recipient, which is currently participating in the Best100 TV Series at Tokyo Anime Award Festival #TAAF2023 with its latest animation Mechamato and amidst fierce competition from Japanese and US studios, had not only made the Top 80 cut but is currently ranked 4^th with a final judging round in early Jan to select the best with fan voting part of the process.

 [Ed: Those who wish to support Animonsta can vote here https://best100.animefestival.jp/]

With MDEC having organised various industry and trade events to nurture and propel the growth of Malaysia’s digital creative content industry onto the international stage, MYDCF 2022 closes off the year for MDEC’s creative and digital content push with exhibits of the latest games and animation IP for the public, gamers, and digital content fans.

One of the highlights of MYDCF 2022 will be MDEC announcing the winners of the Creativity @ Schools Competition 2022 which aims to inspire and support young people to create, develop and present their creative ideas to the world.

There are two main categories for the C@S Competition award: LEVEL UP @ Schools Competition 2022 for digital games and Kre8tif! @ Schools Competition 2022 for animation. The competition received hundreds submissions for Kre8tif!@Schools and 97 submissions for Level Up@Schools 2022.

The submissions for the C@S Competition are judged by experts from the digital creative content industry. To further support these young talent, two judges from Warnakala (Animation) and PlayStation Studios Malaysia (Digital Games) will hand-pick winners of this competition for mentoring opportunities under the C@S Adopt-A-Student initiative.

MYDCF 2022 features a variety of activities such as esport tournaments, game showcases, animation screenings, and prize giveaways. In addition, there will be a jobs fair with employment opportunities offered by creative companies.  

International game and animation companies like Larian Studios, Bandai Namco Studio, Xsolla, Omens Studio, Battlebrew Production, Weyrdworks, and others are participating at MYDCF 2022.

Visitors can also see games produced by local game developers such as One More Dream Studios, Passion Republic, Blackfyre Media, IXI Creatives and Illogical and watch animation from studios, such as Space Sheep Studio, Mirayi Animation Studio, All for One Production, and others.