Project PDA: The search for Singapore’s newest film directing talent3 min read

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The nationwide search for Singapore’s most talented film director begins today with applications for Project Pitching and Development with Ashok or Project PDA open for submission.

Supported by the Media Development Authority (MDA) and produced by MediaCorp Pte Ltd, applications for participation are open from now till 31 July. Application forms can be downloaded from here.

Said Mr Kenneth Tan, Director of Film, Animation and Publishing at MDA: “Project PDA is a wonderful opportunity for an up-and-coming Singapore director to learn the ropes from one of the best in Hollywood. We are delighted to be broadening and deepening our excellent working relationship with Hyde Park Entertainment on this Project.”

Hosted by legendary producer and Hyde Park Entertainment’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ashok Amritraj, the 4-part series is scheduled to air on MediaCorp’s okto later this year.

“MediaCorp okto is proud to be a part of Project Pitching & Development with Ashok (Project PDA) jointly with MDA, as a platform to discover and showcase local film-making talent. The competition offers the winner a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn the ropes of film-making at Hyde Park Entertainment in Hollywood, with the possibility of having his/her movie co-financed by MDA and distributed worldwide.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the local film scene and we are confident that our talents will come forth with their original ideas and creative story concepts,” said Ms Lim Suat Jien, Executive Vice President, Programming & Production Channel 5/okto

Project PDA will see up-and-coming local directors pitch their film concepts to a panel of judges, including Amritraj and leading Singapore filmmakers, and compete with each other on challenging tasks. The winner of Project PDA will have the opportunity to work at the prestigious Hyde Park Group on a 3-month internship supported by MDA’s Media Training and Attachment Programme. In addition, the winner also stands a chance of having his films co-financed by MDA and globally distributed by Hyde Park.

Announced at the Cannes Film Festival in May this year, Project PDA is the result of a longstanding relationship between MDA and Hyde Park and strengthens Singapore’s ongoing ties with Hollywood.

Singapore first established links with Hyde Park Entertainment in May 2008, when Hyde Park Entertainment set up its Asian Headquarters in Singapore. The partnership saw the establishment of a US$75 million production fund for Hyde Park to acquire, develop, produce and distribute a slate of feature films for worldwide distribution.

The partnership was subsequently extended last October to include Imagenation Abu Dhabi leading to the formation of the Asian headquarters, Hyde Park Imagenation Singapore.

About Project PDA:
Project PDA (“Pitching & Development with Ashok”) is a competition to discover up-and-coming director talent in Singapore where one winner will have an opportunity to work at Hyde Park Entertainment on a 3-month attachment programme, supported by MDA’s META Programme, to develop his/her winning project. Hyde Park Entertainment is one of the top movie production and distribution companies in the world with its headquarters in Hollywood.

Supported by the Media Development Authority of Singapore and produced by its broadcast partner MediaCorp Pte Ltd (“MediaCorp”), the competition process will be filmed and broadcast on one of MediaCorp’s free-to-air channels in Singapore as a 4-part television programme to be hosted by Hyde Park Entertainment CEO Mr Ashok Amritraj.

Applicants will be required to pitch their movie ideas and be given tasks to produce short clips that will be judged by a panel including Ashok Amritraj. A winner will eventually be selected and he/she may get the movie co-financed by MDA and distributed worldwide by Hyde Park Entertainment.