Singapore’s Film Industry
From producing one film in 1991, four in 1998, to more than 30 in 2008, the Singapore film scene has flourished of late and is proving to be a fertile ground for developing exportable media content.
Bearing testament to this is Singapore's growing number of successes around the world, with homegrown films such as Eric Khoo’s My Magic nominated for the highest accolade – the Palme d’Or – at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and one of only two Asian films in the main competition.
Another award-winning director Anthony Chen’s short film Haze was in the running for the celebrated Golden Bear and Silver Bear for Short Film at the Berlin Film Festival. This was the first time a Singapore film had competed in the festival’s main short film competition. At the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, Ho Tzu Nyen’s The Bohemian Rhapsody Project and Boo Jun Feng’s Katong Fugue got to spar with worthy global competitors as they were in the main competition section, up against 70 other films from 50 countries.
In the animation sphere, familiar local literature textbook characters Dawan and Kai from Sing to the Dawn made it to the big screen last year. Adapted from a book written by award-winning Singaporean author Ho Minfong, Sing to the Dawn was jointly produced by Mediacorp Raintree Pictures, MDA, Infinite Frameworks and Scorpio East Pictures.
To support the growth of the 3D industry as part of the media sector, MDA put together a 3D development fund of S$10 million that will support content projects, 3D infrastructure, production and post-production facilities for 3D filmmakers.
Singapore Film Commission
The Singapore Film Commission (SFC) has been supporting the film industry since 1998, in terms of short and feature filmmaking, and script development. It became part of the Media Development Authority (MDA) in 2002, and is spearheaded by 10 members from the private and public sectors. The programmes offered by the SFC include the Short Film Grant, Script Development Grant, Stereoscopic 3D Film Development Fund, 35mm Fulfilment Fund and New Feature Film Fund.
In June 2008, SFC launched the New Feature Film Fund to provide emerging talent with the opportunity to direct their first feature film, in collaboration with experienced production houses. The first project completed under the New Feature Film Fund was Blood Ties, directed by first-time feature filmmaker Chai Yee-Wei, and co-produced with Singapore’s Oak3 Films. It opened in local cinemas on 10 September 2009.