Media Fusion NewsFlash

News and Notes from ScreenSingapore: 13 June 2011

Singapore filmmakers took centrestage at ScreenSingapore's red carpet gala premieres last Friday.

Singapore Night saw the Asia Pacific premiere of Where the Road Meets the Sun, directed by Singapore director Yong Mun Chee, and the international premiere of Jesus Henry Christ, produced by Singapore producer Sukee Chew.

Where the Road Meets the Sun tells the story of four men who cross paths in the underbelly of Los Angeles and their struggles for survival. The film stars Eric Mabius (Ugly Betty), Will Yun Lee (Hawaii Five-O), Luke Brandon Field (Magic Boys) and Fernando Noriega, a telenovela star from Mexico.

One is a Singapore film director who has had commercial and critical successes. The other is an Oscar-winning director who has made movies both in the East and West.

Kelvin Tong and Shekhar Kapur shared with their audiences their insights into filmmaking at two In Conversation sessions held at Capella Singapore last Thursday as part of ScreenSingapore.

Singapore director Kelvin Tong spoke about his film career, which began with film critiquing at The Straits Times and making short films. He went on to direct his first feature Eating Air with Jasmine Ng. Since then, he has directed six other features, including box-office successes The Maid (2005), Rule #1 (2008) and It's A Great, Great World (2011).

After an eventful week of conferences, masterclasses, expo activities and red carpet gala premieres, the inaugural edition of ScreenSingapore came to a successful close yesterday.

The business convention presented a valuable and unprecedented chance for the 700-plus trade attendees from 26 countries to explore film business opportunities in Asia. Relationships were forged, deals were made and insights into the film industry and filmmaking were exchanged.

Singapore filmmakers and producers appreciated that an international cinema event was held in their home country. Film director Kelvin Tong said: "Finally we have an event of that standard in our own backyard. This marks a milestone in the development of our industry."