Strong Growth in Co–Production Deals with Singapore

A Singapore–China–Korea co–production is the first film to be made under the MDA’s International Film Fund while an edgy dance movie has resulted from an MDA–Imagenation Abu Dhabi–Hyde Park financing alliance announced last month.

Signalling a strong growth in international co–production deals involving Singapore, a new film project was announced at the American Film Market in Los Angeles, California.

The film, Neon Sign, is a co–production project that involves Singapore, China and Korea. It represents the first film to receive support under the Media Development Authority of Singapore’s (MDA) International Film Fund that was launched during the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Neon Sign will be directed by Korean Pil Gam–Sung (Musa) and is scheduled for release in 2011. Backed by Asian film powerhouses CJ Entertainment and Beijing Polybona Film Distribution, with support from MDA, the film will be produced by Bang Productions (Singapore) and Nabi Pictures (Korea).

Neon Sign is the second feature film co-production deal involving Singapore and Korea. The first, Host 2, by Singapore’s Boku Films and Korea’s Chungeorahm Films, was announced two months ahead of the American Film Market in September. In all, Singapore has co–produced properties in the film, television and animation space with more than 10 countries around the world.

Commenting on the growing trend of co–productions, Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, MDA, said: “This tripartite collaboration represents the growing synergies among Asian countries and our abilities to tell Asian stories concerning universal topics such as music and culture in a unique way for an international audience.”

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Financing Alliance Brings Together Stellar Production Team

Imagenation Abu Dhabi and Hollywood producer Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment Group – through their newly created strategic alliance with Singapore’s MDA – have joined forces with multi–hit songwriter/producer Dave Stewart and Nokia Mobile Entertainment to produce a film.

Called Street Dancing, the film will be an inspiring against–all–odds story set in the world of a cutting–edge dance competition in Singapore and New York. Music for the film will be provided by Dave Stewart together with Oscar-winning composer A. R. Rahman of Slumdog Millionaire fame. Mr Amritraj will produce the film while Imagenation’s CEO, Mr Edward Borgerding, and Hyde Park’s Mr Patrick Aiello will executive produce with Mr Dave Stewart and Mr Prem Akkaraju.

The film will be directed by famed music–video and feature helmer Bille Woodruff (Honey, Beautyshop, Bring It On: Fight to the Finish). Woodruff has directed music–video stars including Britney Spears, Enrique Iglesias, Miranda Cosgrove, Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Usher, Celine Dion and Toni Braxton.

Said Mr Borgerding: "Street Dancing is the ideal property to commence our partnership with Hyde Park and the MDA – it’s very reflective of our partners, their culture and embodies our overall vision of creating global cinema for mass audiences."

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