Event Coverage
Nat Geo partners with Singapore’s MDA to produce documentaries
CANNES: National Geographic Channels International (NGCI), along with independent production and distribution company, Off the Fence (OTF) and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) have announced a partnership initiative. They will commission 15 one-hour original documentary programmes in high-definition (HD) to encourage Singaporean filmmaking talents.
The multi-million dollar partnership will enable the production of 15 titles over the next three years. National Geographic Channels International and Off the Fence will share their experience and skills with a range of Singapore producers to develop high-quality, globally-appealing documentaries designed to meet the growing requirement for HD programming worldwide.
These programmes will premiere on NGCI to 190 million homes in 165 countries. Off the Fence will retain all rights in Germany, France and the US outright and will distribute the programming worldwide. The first three projects in the first year have been awarded to Singapore production companies Beach House Production Pictures, The Moving Visual Co. and Right Angle Media.
NGCI executive VP content Sydney Suissa says, “National Geographic Channels International is pleased to partner with leading production companies like Off the Fence and the MDA. By providing resources and creating more opportunities for international exposure, we hope it will empower local filmmakers to create high-quality work for an international audience”.
Off the Fence MD Ellen Windemuth says, “This is a significant step forward in our ongoing global production strategy, fulfilling our key aim of blending our experience in producing programming for an international audience with the unique skills and talents available in the local regions.
” With National Geographic Channels International and MDA onboard, who are both equally passionate in supporting local talent, we are confident in producing a range of titles that will offer huge appeal to buyers and audiences worldwide.”
MDA CEO Dr Christopher Chia says, “Singapore companies have proven that they have what it takes to be a key contributor to the factual programming content market. This initiative will provide international audiences with more quality Made-by-Singapore HD content.”
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
