Films from 1930s to 1980s
From Cathay-Keris to Shaw Brothers, Singapore’s early films were created when Singapore was part of the Straits Settlements. Directors such as P. Ramlee and Hussein Haniff made their mark on the Singapore cinema heritage through to the 1960s, with iconic films such as “They Call Her Cleopatra Wong” made in the 1970s.

Films from 1990s to 2006
A revival of filmmaking took off in the early 1990s starting with “Medium Rare” and “Mee Pok Man”, followed by an average of five to eight films released every year. Major studios and production houses like MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, J Team Productions and Zhaowei Films produced numerous films that were playing to international screens and also co-produced with regional partners.

Films from 2007 to present
A sprouting of new production houses and activity in feature filmmaking was proven by the release of 15 films in commercial theatres in 2007 and 17 in 2008. This does not include more than 20 films produced every year by independent filmmakers, ranging from documentaries to arthouse material, which continue to receive critical acclaim at international film festivals.

Short films supported by the SFC
Many filmmakers, including Royston Tan, Kelvin Tong and Tan Pin Pin, began their careers in filmmaking with short films. Over the past decade, many young Singapore talents have been making fascinating short films that enjoyed international success, winning awards at prestigious festivals such as Cannes Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival.