Viddsee launches free short film iPhone app

SINGAPORE — It’s a win-win for both film fans and Asian indie filmmakers all round. The Singapore-based online video platform for Asian short films Viddsee.com now has an app for the iPhone, making it even easier for audiences to watch the 700 Asian short films the portal hosts on its website.

The app is free and the company is working towards launching both an iPad and Android version soon.

“Viddsee films are stories that consumers won’t get on TV. These are movies for the Internet, now accessible through our platform, and in users’ pockets or handbags. They are entertaining, inspiring, heartwarming, horrifying and thought-provoking. Movies for the Internet is the future of entertainment and we’re proud to be part of this evolution,” said Ho Jia Jian, who co-founded Viddsee with Derek Tan.

Viddsee.com is similar to other video sharing platforms like YouTube and Vine, but specifically focused on showcasing curated Asian short films. They are a prime example of how online platforms are changing the media industry by giving content creators a growing range of accessible distribution platforms.

With new weekly curations, the app users are proffered seven recommended short Asian films each week on the home screen. And a great key feature is the “queue” and “watch offline” modes, designed in mind for the audience on the move. Using a smart Wi-Fi technology, short films are auto-downloaded when Wi-Fi is detected, allowing users to save on mobile data.

“These features address our users’ needs, as over 40 per cent of them access our platform daily for high-quality short films and entertainment from Asia. We designed this app for mobile users who are typically restricted to data connectivity and accessibility,” said Tan.

Commuting has never been more enjoyable or easier on the pocket.

This has been a banner year for the Singapore start-up, which was first incorporated in January 2013. Earlier this year, they signed a content partnership deal with Yahoo to have a branded, dedicated channel and subsequently launched Viddsee BUZZ (http://buzz.viddsee.com) which is aimed at helping film-makers’ work go viral. It was also announced in April that the site has reached over five million unique viewers.

Viddsee.com hosts films from all over Asia, showcasing the work of emerging talents from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand,Vietnam and India. Most recently they have included Sangkar by actress-director Sharifah Amani (Malaysia); Taya by Adi Bontuyan (Philippines) and Ina-Tay by Chloe Veloso (Philippines).

The new Viddsee app for iPhone is available on the App Store or www.viddsee.com/ios