Viu Pitching Forum was first launched by Viu in Indonesia in 2016, resulting in three successful Viu Original series - 'Halustik' (2018), 'Knockout Girl' (2019) and 'Star Stealer' (2020).
Following the success of this program in Indonesia, Viu expanded the initiative to Malaysia in September 2020 and Thailand in May 2021 to serve as a catalyst to the growth of the local entertainment industry.
Viu Pitching Forum in Malaysia garnered over 700 submissions, and 10 entertaining concepts were shortlisted. The finalists were mentored by renowned industry veterans Kye Fariz, Razaisyam Rashid, TJ Lee, Ghaz Abu Bakar, Faisal Ishak, Bernice Low, Chi-Ren Choong, Douglas Lim, Nam Ron, and Datuk Yusry Abdul Halim.
Showcasing a wide variety of themes with young adult focus and strong local resonance, the genres of the concepts shortlisted included, amongst others, sci-fi, fantasy and comedy. The background of the finalists have been similarly diverse, with shortlisted applicants from the world of advertising, law and biology – a testament to Viu’s aim to provide an equal opportunity to anyone with a passion and aptitude for scriptwriting.
Sci-fi drama won the judges over
Sci-fi drama 'Electric Dust Agency' by Ms. Aina Izzah emerged victorious and will be made into a world class production for release on Viu in 2022.
The future-set story revolves around Kina, a ‘memory writer’ with the Electric Dust Agency – a company that has invented the technology to alter people’s memories. When she uncovers clues that suggest the EDA has been illegally altering the memories of its clients, she must race to uncover the truth even as she fears her own memories are potentially compromised as well.
Speaking about what inspired her to come up with the story, law graduate and journalist Aina
said she had the idea after my mother’s passing in 2018.
"I was with her on her deathbed and often wondered about my final memory of her. “Electric Dust Agency” challenges the theory that if you could alter a terrible memory to help you cope with trauma, would you do it?”
Elaborating on her experience as part of the initiative, she added, “VPF was a blast – it felt like attending a bootcamp on writing and filmmaking. The masterclasses were informative, collaborative and extensive.
"Having the best people from the industry giving us insights and sharing their experiences was truly eye-opening," she shared.
In support of local art scene
Sahana Kamath, Head of Original Production for Viu Malaysia and Indonesia, said the organisers
were impressed with the creativity shown by all of the aspiring writers who joined the Viu
Pitching Forum in Malaysia.
"Each and every finalist channeled the guidance they received from their mentors into an inspired and compelling pitch, making the business of judging a difficult task indeed. A worthy winner emerged in Aina, whose 'Electric Dust Agency' speaks volumes of her skill, imagination and fearlessness in sharing her emotional truth.
"We have always believed in the talent and stories to be found here in Malaysia, and the outstanding quality of work showcased during this initiative only drives us further in our commitment to help nurture the local creative community," she said.
Two additional concepts received special mentions at Viu Pitching Forum and were selected by the judges for further development at Viu. These were the supernatural family drama 'Pulangkan; by Qamarul Hassan and a college-set drama titled 'Kelab Lelaki Beta' by Ausz Din.
Do keep an eye out for the release of the first Viu Original production from the Viu Pitching
Forum in Malaysia. For more information and updates, visit this website.