More filmmakers from Singapore continue to shine bright with notable selections at the Cannes Film Festival

Following the success of two Made-with-SG characteristic movies successful at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, extra movies produced by Singapore abilities have been given the alternative to shine at the prestigious annual occasion this yr. These embody two characteristic movies — Viet and Nam, which was co-produced by Singaporean producer Lai Weijie and will probably be competing in the Un Certain Regard part, and Mongrel by Singaporean director Chiang Wei Liang, which will probably be screening at Directors’ Fortnight.

There are additionally two Singaporean-directed quick movies — Withered Blossoms by Lionel Seah, competing in the La Cinef (previously Cinefondation), and Cold Cut by Tan Siyou, screening as a part of a particular programme below Directors’ Fortnight, an official news release from the Infocomm Media Development Authority.

Supporting native filmmakers

Viet and Nam and Mongrel had been awarded the Singapore Film Commission’s (SFC) and Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) Southeast Asia (SEA) Co-Production Grant and New SG Director Grant respectively, below the Media Talent Progression Programme.

Both movies have been acquired for world distribution. Pyramide International, certainly one of the greatest unbiased French distributors, has acquired world gross sales (excluding France) for the eight-country co-production Viet and Nam, whereas Mongrel was picked up for gross sales by Paris-based unbiased gross sales firm, Alpha Violet. This demonstrates the confidence that the distributors have in the high quality of the two movies and displays SFC’s and IMDA’s success in supporting our native media abilities and productions on the world stage.

We are ecstatic that Singapore’s abilities have continued with our sturdy displaying final yr to as soon as once more make their mark at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. For greater than 25 years, the Singapore Film Commission has been nurturing our promising younger native administrators and movie abilities, enabling them to showcase their aptitude and fervour in telling universally interesting tales on the world stage. To date, we now have had over 30 tasks by Singaporeans premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, which is exceptional for a small city-state like Singapore. We want the competing movies all the finest this yr!

– Justin Ang, Assistant Chief Executive of Media, Innovation, Communications and Marketing, IMDA.

Recognising the SFC’s help, Singaporean producer of Viet and Nam and Mongrel, Lai Weijie mentioned, “The Singapore Film Commission was the first main supporter of each Viet and Nam and Mongrel. This gave each groups quite a lot of encouragement and put us in a great place to apply for different types of help. We will at all times be grateful to the Commission for believing in the visions of those movies and are glad that they may each be premiering in Cannes. We are excited to share these movies with Singapore and worldwide audiences.”

Director of Mongrel, Chiang Wei Liang, expressed, “For years now, I’ve put all my vitality and time in direction of this movie, and I’m excited to lastly share it with the world. I hope that Mongrel’s choice at Directors’ Fortnight will assist this movie discover its viewers round the world. I’ll always remember the help of Singapore, Taiwan, and France to assist this dream come true.”

Both Chiang Wei Liang and Lai Weijie are IMDA’s Singapore Digital (SG Digital) Scholars. Mongrel additionally counts IMDA SG Digital students Lim Ting Li (supervising sound editor) and Grace Wong (sound editor) amongst its core manufacturing workforce.

Short movies chosen for sections at Cannes Film Festival

Since 2007, Singapore has additionally had quick movies chosen for varied sections at Cannes Film Festival. This yr, Withered Blossoms by Lionel Seah was chosen out of over 2,260 submissions from movie colleges round the world to compete in the La Cinef (previously Cinefondation), a bit catered specifically for younger filmmakers and college students.

Tan Siyou, whose quick movie Cold Cut will probably be featured at each Directors’ Fortnight and the Singapore-Philippines pavilion, mentioned, “I’m tremendous trying ahead to sharing my work with high business professionals and assembly like-minded companions to collaborate with.”

Singapore-Philippines pavilion

The SFC’s participation on this yr’s Marche du Film will mark nearly 20 years of that includes Made-with-SG content material and Singaporean media firms at this pivotal platform and enabling Singapore filmmakers and producers to forge collaborations with worldwide media entities. Around 20 Made-with-SG titles will probably be showcased at the Singapore-Philippines pavilion at the Marche du Film’s Village International. Besides showcasing the newest movie tasks of collaborating firms, the Commission can even be internet hosting networking classes for worldwide companions to discover collaborations with our native media firms.