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

Film buffs 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 buffs can catch the films either free, or on a ticketed basis. 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 6293 9782 or email info@objectifs.com.sg). 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 different 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” effort, 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 office 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.theartshouse.com.sg.

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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 filmmak​ers 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) offers 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, Boo Junfeng, Tan Pin Pin, Anthony Chen 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 offices 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 offering 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.