G-to-G collaborations for Singapore delegation at the Marché du Film in Cannes, France

The Europe-Asia Co-Producers Networking Session on 22 May aims to bring together some 40 producers from Europe and Asia to network, discuss potential projects and increase co-production partnerships. Asia has 12 companies with about US$94 million worth of projects to be discussed at the networking session. Organised jointly by MDA and the Finanziaria Laziale Di Sviluppo Spa (FILAS), the Financial Investment Agency of the Regione Lazio, Italy, this business-matching session is the first collaborative effort following a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties at last year’s Asia Media Festival in Singapore.

The Singapore Film Commission (SFC) will also co-host with the Australian Film Commission a panel discussion on 21 May. The Australia-Singapore Co-Production Panel will explore filming incentives and opportunities available in both Australia and Singapore and aims to facilitate media companies from both countries to pool resources and talents for co-productions as well as create a larger distribution network for quality exportable media content in the two countries’ domestic markets. This will be the fourth foray of an MDA-led Singapore delegation at Marché du Film, a leading international film market held in conjunction with the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Mr Man Shu Sum, Director, Broadcast &Film, MDA and Director for SFC, says: “Singapore films are gaining a following in Europe. Films like Be With Me and Singapore Dreaming, as well as short films such as Monkeylove enjoy critical acclaim and are winning top prizes at European film festivals. The US$128 million strong slate of co-production deals sealed at the recently concluded MIPTV highlight the strong production capabilities of Singapore’s media industry. This will stand the industry in good stead as Singapore continues to pursue co-productions and international collaborations as a key strategy to open up new markets for Singapore-made content.”

This year, three Singapore films have been invited for the Cannes Film Festival. Anthony Chen’s Ah Ma will compete for the Short Film Palme d’Or while Pok Yue Weng’s SuperDONG, another short film, will be screened at Directors’ Fortnight. Ekachai Uekrongtham’s full-length feature film Kuaile Gongchang (Pleasure Factory) has also been selected for official screening at the Un Certain Regard category and will compete for the Caméra d'Or award.

Apart from the three directors, the Singapore contingent to Marché du Film 2007 includes 13 local production companies – the biggest contingent ever - promoting a lineup of 20 latest film projects. The films will be promoted under the Singapore Media Fusion strategic positioning. Please refer to the Annex A for the list of participating companies and their films.

Annex A​

The MDA Singapore pavilion is located at F9, Riviera Hall.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Jasmine Wong
Assistant Manager, Communications
Media Development Authority
Tel: (+65) 6837 9364
Email: jasmine_wong@imda.gov.sg

Ms Phoebe Seow
Assistant Director, Communications
Media Development Authority
Tel: (+65) 6837 9369
Email: phoebe_seow@imda.gov.sg

The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) was formed on 1 January 2003 to champion Media 21, a blueprint to transform Singapore into a global media city. Media 21 seeks to create a vibrant media environment by establishing Singapore as a media exchange, exporting Made-by-Singapore content, internationalising local media companies, nurturing local media talent and developing digital media. More information on MDA can be found on www.mda.gov.sg.

Singapore Film Commission (SFC)

The Singapore Film Commission (SFC) is an agency under the Media Development Authority (MDA) that facilitates and assists film development for Singapore. The SFC’s key areas of focus are: Funding, Facilitation and Promotion. Its mission is to nurture, support, and promote Singapore talent in film-making, the production of Singapore films, and a film industry in Singapore. For more information please visit, www.s​fc.org.sg