SINGAPORE – 09 OCT 2024
1. “La Luna”, a film by Singaporean director M Raihan Halim, has been picked by the selection committee made up of Singapore Film Commission (SFC) Advisory Committee members as Singapore’s entry to the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars) in 2025, for the Best International Feature Film category. The Singapore-Malaysia co-production is a Malay-language comedy about a woman who opens a lingerie shop in a conservative Malaysian
village.
2. “La Luna” is M Raihan Halim’s second feature film directorial effort to be released since “Banting”. The film made its world premiere at the FIAPF-accredited Tokyo International Film Festival under the Asian Future Section, and participated at the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival last year. It was also selected as the closing film at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, and screened at the International Panorama section of Shanghai International Film Festival earlier this year.
3. Produced by Clover Films and Papahan Films, both Singaporean production companies, in association with Malaysia’s ACT 2 Pictures and One Cool Film, the film stars an ensemble cast from Malaysia and Singapore such as Shaheizy Sam, Sharifah Amani, Wan Hanafi Su and Hisyam Hamid. The film was supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) and the SFC under the Media Talent Progression Programme. It was released in Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian cinemas in November last year.
4. Mr Justin Ang, Assistant Chief Executive of Media, Innovation, Communications and Marketing, IMDA, said, “We are excited to be presenting “La Luna” as Singapore’s entry for the 2025 Oscars. This has been another great year for Made-with-Singapore films with strong presence at festivals like Cannes, Venice and Busan. “La Luna” is a great testament to Singapore’s multi-lingual and multi-ethnic make up that gives rise to interesting stories. We are proud of M Raihan Halim and the production team and cast and we look forward to good news at the 2025 Oscars.”
5. "We are so honoured for ”La Luna” to be selected as the official entry for Singapore. Kudos to Director Raihan, the cast and crew for this achievement. I also want to take the opportunity to thank our partners including Act 2 Pictures, One Cool Film and Papahan Films for believing in the movie right from the start!", Executive Producer, Lim Teck of Clover Films.
6. “I am at once humbled, amazed and honoured to represent Singapore with our little film, “La Luna”. My team and I are truly over the moon! Pun intended,” Director & Scriptwriter, M. Raihan Halim of Papahan Films.
7. “This is like every actors dream to be part of the world’s most prestige award event, I’m so grateful,” Shaheizy Sam.
8. “Being Hanie Abdullah in La Luna was a deeply personal experience for me, and now, to see it being recognized by Singapore as their official selection for the Oscars is simply surreal. Every film has its own life, and La Luna felt like a piece of art that was born from the passion and hard work of everyone involved. I am so grateful to the incredible team behind La Luna, to Singapore for embracing this story and to every audience member who found a little bit of themselves in this film. This recognition is for all of us who believe in the power of storytelling to bridge divides. I’m truly grateful and excited for what’s to come,” Sharifah Amani.
.webp)