MUMBAI: The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) took another step forward in its strategy of forging international alliances with public and private filmmaking organisations around the world, with the announcement of a new agreement with the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA).

In their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the NFB and the MDA have agreed to work together on co-productions, education training and technological co-operation.

NFB chairperson Jacques Bensimon says, "Canada and Singapore share a commitment to cultural diversity and to nurturing indigenous voices in cinema. This new agreement between the National Film Board of Canada and the Media Development Authority of Singapore will enable us to work together to promote our shared values – on co-productions, education training and technological co-operation that will strengthen independent cinema in both our countries."

MDA CEO Dr Christopher Chia says, "The MoU with the NFB builds on the close ties that Singapore and Canada have cultivated over the past few years since the signing of the Audio Visual Co-production Agreement with Telefilm Canada on 13 November 1998. The National Film Board of Canada, as a public producer and distributor of media content will be another key partner for us to collaborate with in facilitating media industry co-productions between Canada and Singapore".

Under the terms of the agreement, the NFB and MDA have pledged to encourage co-produced projects between Canada and Singapore in the field of animation, documentaries, interactive and experimental films and media initiatives, including innovative digital productions for new platforms. The two organizations also agree to encourage programmes related to training and education in the audiovisual industry as well as the development of emerging technologies. In addition, the NFB and MDA will exchange experiences, strategies and practices in commercial distribution and outreach development.

International partnerships, like the one signed with the MDA, are a priority at today’s National Film Board of Canada. This agreement with the MDA follows the signing of a cultural cooperation programme agreement between the NFB and the Ministry of Culture of Brazil in March 2006.

The NFB also spearheaded the formation of a world educational consortium with NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Film Australia and Discovery Channel Canada to create educational productions for mobile and new digital platforms. In addition, the NFB is a partner in Content 360, joining the British Broadcasting Corporation and Korean Broadcasting Commission to produce new digital content.