Singapore Film Commission

Announcements

WATCH LOCAL with the Singapore Film Commission

Film buffs can look forward to enjoying a wide repertoire of all-time-favourite as well as some rare and iconic Singapore films at arts venues and on Free-To-Air television, under “Watch Local”, a two-month long initiative by the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) and industry to drive local appreciation and support of Singapore films.

The industry partners of the two-month long “Watch Local” (25 October to 15 December 2012) are Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film, Sinema+GV, The Arts House and MediaCorp. A total of 28 Singapore films will be screened, with genres ranging from drama, comedy to action/thriller.

Golden Village’s GV Grand, Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film and The Arts House will screen 20 local titles. Film buffs can catch the films either free, or on a ticketed basis ranging from $7.50 (Concession) to $9. Tickets can be purchased at www.gv.com.sg (for screenings by Sinema+GV) and www.bytes.sg (for screenings at The Arts House). Registration is required for free screenings at Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film (call 6239 9782 or email info@objectifs.com.sg). MediaCorp will screen eight local films on weekends in November, on Okto and Channel 8.

“Watch Local” will also feature rare Singapore films not commercially or widely released such as Yong Mun Chee’s Where The Road Meets The Sun; as well as iconic films of the 1990s whose popularity marked a defining moment in Singapore’s film history. These films include Army Daze, a Michael Chiang movie about National Service; The Teenage Textbook starring a young Melody Chen and Caleb Goh; and Eating Air, Kelvin Tong’s coming-of-age feature about two teenagers’ joys and pangs of teenage love. In addition, two of last year’s top grossing films It’s a Great Great World directed by Kelvin Tong and Already Famous by Michelle Chong will enjoy a re-run. Already Famous was recently selected as Singapore’s entry for “Best Foreign Language Film” at the Oscars next year.

As part of the “Watch Local” effort, industry partners such as Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film and The Arts House are also conducting seminars to promote better understanding of filmmaking in addition to post-show discussions with local directors and writers during the screenings.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

SCREENINGS ON MEDIACORP

ScreenSingapore 2012

ScreenSingapore is the unmissable event for making an impact on the film industry. Bringing together the brightest minds and biggest names in filmed entertainment, ScreenSingapore creates multiple platforms to be seen, be heard, and be electrified. Held in conjunction with Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), ScreenSingapore & ATF presents compelling trading possibilities through a seamless Film & TV market, conferences, networking opportunities, and gala film premieres. Experience the electrifying energy of Asia's expanding content entertainment industry at Marina Bay Sands from 4 - 7 Dec 2012.

Vancouver International Film Festival, Dubai International Film Festival

Mr Shelly Kraicer is a film programmer for both Vancouver International Film Festival and Dubai International Film Festival. He is interested to receive screeners for both short films and features films to be considered for selection. Interested parties can feel free to write to him at shellyk@mac.com.

Rome Film Festival

The 7th Rome Film Festival will take place from November 9 – 17, 2012. The Official Selection of the festival is composed of an International Competition (fourteen films), a choice of Out of Competition screenings, and two additional competitive showcases: CinemaXXI (21st-century Cinema) and Perspectives Italy. New trends in contemporary cinema will be at the center of ‘CinemaXXI’ (21st-century cinema, Cinema of the Present), focusing on works that “reflect the continuous reinvention of cinema on the contemporary visual scene”. 'CinemaXXI' will be a competitive line showing feature-length films, medium-length features and short films, for a maximum of fifteen programmes, mixing fiction and documentary. The 7th Rome Film Festival is now open for Entries. The last date of submission is Friday, September 14th, 2012. For more information, or to submit your film, please fill out the application form on the official website www.romacinemafest.org.

News and Events

Golden Horse Academy and the Film Project Promotion 2012

Congratulations to Anthony Chen and Feng Kexin for making it to the prestigious Golden Horse Film Academy led by acclaimed director Hou Hsiao-Hsien, where they will learn alongside new talents from around the world how to further their filmmaking craft. Golden Horse Film Academy is the one of the best Chinese film workshops in the world composed of Chinese film masters and the most professional crew.

The Golden Horse Film Project Promotion (FPP) is an investment platform for Chinese language film projects and in these six years, it has fostered successful collaborations and relationships between filmmakers, investors, and international industry professionals. We are proud of our Singaporean filmmakers Flora Goh, Lau Chee Nien and Han Yew Kwang who will be there to showcase their projects during the three-day pitch.

All Lines Flow Out Wins Best Experimental Short

Congratulations to Charles Lim and his team for winning the award for Best Experimental Short for All Lines Flow Out at the Nashville Film Festival 2012! The short film explores the hidden waterways of modern Singapore through the journey of a migrant worker. All Lines Flow Out also won a Special Mention Award at the 68th Venice Film Festival in 2011, the first ever award won by a Singaporean at the prestigious festival. Charles is also a visual artist and the co-founder of Bobbing Buoy Films.

Sinema to partner GV

Fans and friends of Sinema can now look forward a brand new location for its screenings and events, after moving out of its old location at Old School on Mount Sophia last December. From September 2012, independent and art-house film enthusiasts will be able to catch their favorite local films and shorts at the Golden Village Grand cinemas at Great World City. GV Grand will dedicate a four-hour time slot from 6:30p.m. to 10:30p.m. every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month for regular screenings by Sinema. The partnership is expected to help promote independent local films, and increase awareness and support for Singapore’s filmmaking community.

In Production

That Girl In Pinafore

Presented by Hot Cider Studios, and jointly produced by mm2 Entertainment and Ocean Butterflies, That Girl in Pinafore is a romantic drama with a strong “Xin Yao” music element. The story revolves around a group of teenagers who worked together to bring business back to a struggling folk music pub, and a puppy love story between the main characters Jiaming and May. The film is directed by Chai Yee-wei, who previously produced Twisted and Blood Ties. This film is supported under MDA’s Production Assistance Scheme and is slated for release in 2013.

Ghost Child

Produced by Clover Films, Gorylah Pictures and MM2 Entertainment, Ghost Child is a supernatural thriller about Kim, who has problems accepting Na, her father’s new foreign wife. The stepmother carries with her a dark secret contained in an urn that starts to threaten their lives. The project will be directed by Singaporean Director Gilbert Chan who co-wrote and co-directed “Love Matters” with Jack Neo, and “23:59” which made over $1.5 million at the local box office in 2011.

Funding Schemes and Facilitation

Film Mentorship Initiative

The Film Mentorship Initiative subsidises the fees, travel and accommodation costs of Singaporeans or Permanent Residents who have already gained admission into a renowned international film project lab. A film project lab is typically defined as a programme or course specifically created to further the development of an individual’s skill sets or project in the areas of film directing, producing, writing, etc. Applicants must have a good track record in relevant roles/capacities in the film sector and have already gained admission into a renowned film project lab. SFC will support up to S$20,000 or 100% of the applicant’s proposed budget, whichever is lower. Qualifying items consist of: return economy airfare, accommodation for duration of film lab and lab participation fees. Please download the guidelines and application form via this link.

New Talent Feature Grant

Budding filmmakers can now apply for the New Talent Feature Grant (NTFG), the Singapore Film Commission’s (SFC) latest initiative to help directors launch their first or second feature-length films! Films can span a variety of genres, including films with artistic and cultural value, festival-oriented works, documentaries and films in non-English languages. Apart from films made for theatrical release, the NTFG can also be awarded to films meant for broadcast, i.e. telemovies. The NTFG will support up to $250, 000 or 100% of the production budget, whichever is lower. Results of the first call for proposal will be announced during ScreenSingapore from 4 to 7 December 2012, in conjunction with the Asia Television Forum. Read more about the NTFG here.