Animation studio Anima Vitae has signed a joint venture agreement to start an animation studio in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The studio will be builtin cooperation with local partner Creative Media Point, based ona production line developed by Anima.
“During the past few years we have been in negotiations to find a partner for Anima’s next step. Finnanimation’s Asia reports got us interested in Malaysia” CEO Petteri Pasanen notes, and adds that “a local partner, of Chinese mother tongue and with its own animation school,coupled withMalaysia’s 30% rebate model was a tempting combination.” Malaysia is an upper-middle income economy with the goal of attaining high income status by 2020. “We are going there for business reasons, but through Finnpartnership this is also development aid in practice” Pasanen concludes.
Earlier this week in Hollywood, during the American Film Market, Anima Vitae signed a contract with the Max Howard Consulting Group. Max Howard’s role is to help find financing and distribution partners which fit Anima’s new Helsinki-KualaLumpur structure.“Along with my team, I am delighted to be providing consulting services for this innovative and exciting adventure. The long term vision is excellent and offers great potential for both organizations” says Max Howard. Max Howard created and ran studios for Disney in London, Paris, Orlando and Los Angeles, working on some of Disney’s most memorable films including Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. As President of Warner Bros Feature Animation he oversaw such hit movies as The Iron Giant and Space Jam. At DreamWorks, he was co-executive producer for Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron.