MDA News Release
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News Release Support local films, “Watch Local”! Two-month long initiative by Singapore Film Commission and partners to screen 28 Singapore films, including iconic films not commercially released previously Singapore, 22/10/2012 – Film bufs can look forward to enjoying a wide repertoire of all-time-favourite as well as some rare and iconic Singapore films at arts venues and on Free-To-Air television, under “Watch Local”, a two-month long initiative by the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) and industry to drive local appreciation and support of Singapore films. The industry partners of the two-month long “Watch Local” (25 October to 15 December 2012) are Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film, Sinema+GV, The Arts House and MediaCorp. A total of 28 Singapore films will be screened, with genres ranging from drama, comedy to action/thriller. Golden Village’s GV Grand, Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film and The Arts House will screen 20 local titles. Film bufs can catch the films either free, or on a ticketed basis ranging from $4.50 to $9.00. Tickets can be purchased at www.gv.com.sg (for screenings by Sinema+GV) and www.bytes.sg (for screenings at The Arts House). Registration is required for free screenings at Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film (call 6239 9782 or email [email protected]). MediaCorp will screen eight local films on weekends in November, on Okto and Channel 8. “Watch Local” will also feature rare Singapore films not commercially or widely released such as Yong Mun Chee’s Where The Road Meets The Sun; as well as iconic films of the 1990s whose popularity marked a defining moment in Singapore’s film history. These films include Army Daze, a Michael Chiang movie about National Service; The Teenage Textbook starring a young Melody Chen and Caleb Goh; and Eating Air, Kelvin Tong’s coming-of-age feature about two teenagers’ joys and pangs of teenage love. In addition, two of last year’s top grossing films It’s a Great Great World directed by Kelvin Tong and Already Famous by Michelle Chong will enjoy a re-run. Already Famous was recently selected as Singapore’s entry for “Best Foreign Language Film” at the Oscars next year. The SFC is supporting “Watch Local” to nurture local film development and talent. Said Mr Yeo Chun Cheng, Director, Singapore Film Commission: “With ‘Watch Local’ bringing Singapore films to movie-goers on diferent and easily accessible platforms, I hope that more will grow to appreciate local films because they are our stories, about ourselves and our way of life.” As part of the “Watch Local” efort, industry partners such as Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film and The Arts House are also conducting seminars to promote better understanding of filmmaking in addition to post-show discussions with local directors and writers during the screenings. Public appetite for local films is increasing. Statistics from the Singapore Film Commission show that box ofce revenue for local films from 2010 to 2011 has risen by 64 per cent. Beyond consumption, more local films, averaging 10 to 15, are being produced yearly by Singapore directors, with support from initiatives such as the MDA Grant Schemes and the New Talent Feature Grant initiated by the SFC this year. For more details on the full programme line-up of films screened at partner venues, please see Annex A. Details of the films screened on MediaCorp free-to-air channels are at Annex B. Information on the partners’ activities can also be found on www.objectifs.com.sg, www.sinema.sg and www.thearthouse.com.sg. -END- For more information, please contact: Ephraim Loy Assistant Manager (Industry Communications) Communications Media Development Authority of Singapore Tel: +65 9726 3157 Email: [email protected] About Singapore Film Commission The SFC was formed in 1998 and is part of the Media Development Authority (MDA) since 2003. It is spearheaded by a panel of members from the film, arts and cultural community, and is supported by a Secretariat within the MDA. The SFC has, over the years, supported more than 500 short films, scripts, feature films, as well as film- related events in Singapore that showcase homegrown talent and works. Some notable films by new and upcoming filmmakers include 4:30 (Royston Tan), Sandcastle (Boo Junfeng), and Where the Road Meets the Sun (Yong Mun Chee). About Objectifs - Centre for Photography and Film Established in 2003, Objectifs (www.objectifs.com.sg) ofers a space for all photography and filmmaking enthusiasts to learn and share. To complement its courses and workshops, Objectifs regularly hold photography exhibitions, film screenings and talks to create awareness among our students and other visual arts enthusiasts. Objectifs has judged, co-/curated and/or organized national and international events such as the Digital Film Fiesta, Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival, Month of Photography, NOISE Singapore, Singapore Arts Festival, to name a few. Objectifs also runs photography and film education workshops to tertiary and secondary schools on a year-round basis, providing specialized media training to our youths. Objectifs is a partner of Objectifs Films, spearheaded by Objectifs - Centre for Photography and Film, Infinite Frameworks and Shooting Gallery Asia. Objectifs Films is the largest short film distributor in Southeast Asia, and represents award-winning short films from the region. Selected films by Royston Tan, Eric Khoo, Tan Pin Pin, Amir Muhammad etc are represented by Objectifs Films. About Sinema+GV Sinema is a social enterprise founded in 2006. Its first incarnation was Sinema.SG, a weblog dedicated to showcasing Singaporean films. Sinema Old School, a multi- purpose independent High Definition theatre was started in collaboration with key partners, Panasonic and Old School to showcase Singaporean films, music and creative acts in December 2007. In April 2011, SinemaTVSG, Singapore's first independent Public Service YouTube Channel was created to champion Singaporean creative content. From September 2012, Sinema+GV is an initiative between Golden Village and Sinema to exhibit Singaporean, Asian, Independent and Social films to all movie-goers and communities in Singapore in Golden Village cinemas. Sinema is now part of The Shooting Gallery Asia Group of Companies with production ofces in Singapore, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta. About The Arts House at The Old Parliament Occupying the almost 200-year-old building that was Singapore's first Parliament House, The Arts House (www.theartshouse.com.sg) since its opening in 2004 has been ofering its visitors a broad spectrum of lifestyle options, while at the same time playing an active role in the Singapore arts and creative scene. Since 2011, The Arts House has been focusing on the development of Literary Arts, while supporting and presenting programmes and festivals that aim to give a wide and multidisciplinary experience to our audiences. ANNEX A PROGRAMME LINE-UP OF FILMS SCREENED AT PARTNER VENUES S/N TITLE/DURATION DATE/TIME/VENUE TICKETS 1 Valley of The Sun (TBA) Nov 14 (Wed), Nov 21 $9 (Golden Village 102 minutes (Wed), Nov 28 (Wed) Movie Club members enjoy $1 Check www.gv.com.sg discount) for evening timings GV Grand, Great World City, Hall 2 2 Roulette City (PG) Nov 14 (Wed), Nov 21 $9 (Golden Village 76 minutes (Wed), Nov 28 (Wed) Movie Club members enjoy $1 Check www.gv.com.sg discount) for evening timings GV Grand, Great World City, Hall 2 3 It’s A Great Great World Nov 6 (Tue) Free (PG) 100 minutes 8pm Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film 4 881 (PG) Nov 7 (Wed) Free 115 minutes 8pm Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film 5 Forever Fever (PG) Nov 8 (Thu) Free 95 minutes 8pm Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film 6 Already Famous (PG) Nov 9 (Fri) Free 120 minutes 8pm Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film 7 Gone Shopping (NC16) Oct 26 (Fri), Oct 27 $9; $7.50 100 minutes (Sat) (Concession for students, senior 7.30pm citizens and The Arts House The Arts House members) Double bill package for two feature films: $15; $12 (Concession) 8 Forever (PG) Oct 25 (Fri)/7.30pm/ $9; $7.50 97 minutes The Arts House (Concession for students, senior Oct 27 (Sat)/3.30pm/ citizens and The The Arts House Arts House members) Double bill package for two feature films: $15; $12 (Concession) 9 Singapore Country (TBA) Oct 25, Oct 26 (Fri), As part of 15 minutes Oct 27 (Sat) screening of Gone Shopping / Forever 7.30pm The Arts House 10 I Have Loved (M18) Nov 8 to 16 Free 75 minutes Weekdays: 7.30pm, Sat: 3pm & 7.30pm, Sun: 3pm The Arts House 11 Where The Road Meets Nov 16 to 25 $9; $7.50 The Sun (M18) (Concession for 93 minutes Weekdays: 7.30pm, students, senior Sat: 3pm & 7.30pm, citizens and The Sun: 3pm Arts House members) The Arts House 12 9:30 Nov 16 to 25 As part of 13 minutes screening of Where Weekdays: 7.30pm, The Road Meets Sat: 3pm & 7.30pm, The Sun Sun: 3pm The Arts House 13 Eating Air (PG) Nov 28 (Wed)/7.30pm/ $9; $7.50 100 minutes The Arts House (Concession for students, senior Dec 1 (Sat)/7.30pm/ citizens and The The Arts House Arts House members) 14 The Teenage Textbook Nov 29 (Thu)/7.30pm/ Free (PG) The Arts House 90 minutes Dec 7 (Fri)/7.30pm/ The Arts House 15 Army Daze (PG) Nov 30 (Fri)/7.30pm/ Free 87 minutes The Arts House Dec 6 (Thu)/7.30pm/ The Arts House 16 Tatsumi (M18) Dec 1 (Sat)/7.30pm/ Free 138 minutes The Arts House Dec 5 (Wed)/7.30pm/ The Arts House 17 Sing To the Dawn (PG) Dec 2 (Sun)/3pm/The Free 80 minutes Arts House 18 The Man in the Cupboard Dec 8 (Sat)/3pm/The Free (TBA) Arts House 51 minutes 19 Child’s Play (TBA) Dec 8 (Sun)/5pm/The Free 46 minutes Arts House 20 Catherine Listening to the Dec 8 (Sun)/7.30pm/ Free Rain (TBA) The Arts House 54 minutes ANNEX B LIST OF FILMS SCREENED ON MEDIACORP FREE-TO-AIR CHANNELS S/N TITLE/DURATION DATE/TIME/CHANNEL 1 Old Cow vs Tender Grass 3 Nov (Sat)/2.30pm/Ch 8 95 minutes 2 Aunty Lucy Slam Dunk 10 Nov (Sat)/2.30pm/Ch 8 87 minutes 3 Money No Enough 2 17 Nov (Sat)/10.30pm/Ch 8 126 minutes 4 The Wedding Game 24 Nov (Sat)/10.30pm/Ch 8 103 minutes 5 Pulau Hantu 4 Nov (Sun)/10pm/Okto 104 minutes 6 One Leg Kicking 11 Nov (Sun)/10pm/Okto 105 minutes 7 Homerun 18 Nov (Sun)/10pm/Okto 108 minutes 8 Liang Po Po The Movie 25 Nov (Sun)/10pm/Okto 100 minutes.