Iflix partners with Wattpad on AI-selected Indonesian originals

Iflix has partnered with reading and publishing app Wattpad to co-produce dozens of original movies based on Wattpad stories from Indonesia.

Using machine learning, Wattpad will identify stories and trends to develop as Iflix original films, drawing on the more than six million original Indonesian stories that have been uploaded to the service.

Iflix said that the deal underlines its commitment to producing compelling, locally-relevant content for its customers, with the agreement set to boost the emerging market SVOD service’s line-up of Iflix Originals.

“With Wattpad, we now have the opportunity to work with thousands talented Indonesian writers to bring their stories to life for millions of Iflix users in Indonesia, and broadly across our 30 markets worldwide,” said Iflix chief content officer, Sean Carey.

“With traditional distribution and platform requirements no longer a constraint and deep data and analytics available to measure performance and engagement, this deal allows us to create exciting original productions from hugely popular, local stories.”

Wattpad Studios boss Aron Levitz said: “All over the world, entertainment companies are recognising the need to find original stories from new voices. This deal represents the future of entertainment, where technology and data converge with new voices in storytelling to transform how great content gets made and distributed.”

Iflix now claims more than nine million users in Indonesia who stream an average of 40 million minutes per day. The company said Indonesia is its fastest growing and most dynamic market.

Wattpad has more than 17 million users in Southeast Asia and the company has previously worked with the TV5 Network in the Philippines on the Wattpad Presents TV series, co-producing 250 episodes representing 76 Wattpad stories.

The Toronto-based company offers an app that lets users read stories, connect with the writers and other readers, and publish their own stories. Globally Wattpad says that more than 65 million people spend over 20 billion minutes per-month engaged in original stories, while its Wattpad Studios division co-produces stories for film, television, digital and print, together with industry partners.