SFC awards $2.25m to 9 directors2 min read
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Singapore Film Commission (SFC) has awarded nine promising directors S$250,000 each, giving them the chance to direct their feature-length film under the SFC’s New Feature Film Fund, hopefully finding a place in the hearts of the international audience.
The New Feature Film Fund was launched this year during SFC’s 10th anniversary. This fund is aimed at nurturing young aspiring film talent who are looking for their big break in feature film directing. With S$250,000 in hand, each awardee would also be paired with an experienced director, and their efforts slated for local theatrical release through Golden Village Pictures.
Out of 39 applicants SFC received this July, only nine made the final cut, each presenting a balanced state of genres – ranging from comedy to drama, and even social commentary, and some even covering the supernatural. With this, there is a drawn conclusion among the judges that there is, indeed, hidden creative talent among filmmakers in Singapore.
“The final nine reveal that there is indeed a dormant pool of hidden creative talent among filmmakers in Singapore,” said Mr Kenneth Tan, Director, SFC and COO of the Media Development Authority. “The final line-up presents a balanced slate of genres — ranging from comedy to drama and social commentary, and touching on the supernatural, horror and crime. Refreshing in tone and unique in content, they masterfully capture the myriad scent and flavours of Singapore life. Each a gem of a tale; and many of them pure Singaporean stories that can be told only by Singaporeans. We are very hopeful that these films will travel and find a place in the hearts of an international audience.”
The list of 9 films follows:
| No. | Title | Director | Producer | Production House |
| 1 | 24 Hours of Anger | T.T. Dhavamanni | T.T. Dhavamanni | Blue River Pictures |
| 2 | Blood Ties | Yee-Wei Chai | Lim Suat Yen | Oak3 Films |
| 3 | Forever | Wee Li Lin | Silvia Wong | Bobbing Buoy Films |
| 4 | Forgotten Tears | Ellery Ngiam | Juan Foo | Ground Glass Images / Shooting Gallery |
| 5 | Koi | Mika G. Yamaji | Jason Lai | Oak3 Films |
| 6 | Look Both Ways | Yong Mun Chee | Yong Mun Chee | Infinite Frameworks |
| 7 | Sandcastle | Boo Junfeng | Gary Goh | Zhao Wei Films |
| 8 | The Innocents | Chen-Hsi Wong | Tan Fong Cheng | Zhao Wei Films |
| 9 | Thunder Boys | Alaric Tay | Lim Jen Nee / Teo Eng Tiong | Pilgrim Pictures / Shooting Gallery |
