25 Singapore Features Make Debut at Cannes

Underscoring Singapore’s growing stature as a global capital for New Asia Media, the Media Development Authority (MDA) has returned to the Cannes Film Market with a bounty of 102 Singapore-made films.

Notably among these are 25 new features, which represent a 25 percent increase in the number of new films showcased at Cannes as compared to last year. These new titles, helmed by both established and up-and-coming Singapore filmmakers, span an array of genres ranging from romantic comedy to thrillers to animation features.

Noted Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, MDA: ''As the local film sector matures and the filmmaking community becomes increasingly business-savvy, more of our media players are concentrating on co-producing commercially viable, internationally marketable projects.''

Examples of recent co-productions are Neon Sign, the first Singapore-China-Korea collaboration funded by MDA's International Film Fund (IFF); and Bait, Singapore's first stereoscopic 3D action thriller co-produced by Singapore's Blackmagic Design and Australia's Arclight Films and Pictures in Paradise, also supported through IFF.

Other titles being promoted at Cannes include films that have been supported through the Singapore Film Commission's New Feature Film Fund (NFFF). Receiving the highest interest among them is Boo Junfeng's Sandcastle, which will be screened at International Critics' Week. The film is also in the running for the Camera d'or, or Golden Camera, which is awarded to the best first feature film chosen from Cannes' Official Selection, Directors' Fortnight or International Critics' Week.

Other NFFF-funded films available for pre-sales include Endless Day directed by Ho Tzu Nyen; Get Meaty by Han Yew Kwang; Camera by James Leong; and Causeway by Alson Ho.

This is MDA's seventh expedition to the Cannes Film Market and Festival, which runs from 12 to 21 May this year.

Visit the Singapore Pavilion at C9, Riviera Hall, Esplanade Georges Pompidou.

Please click here for the full press release.

For a complete list of the new films, please click here.

For more information on daily happenings, log on to the Cannes Film Market website and the Festival website.

To read the newsflash archives, please click here.