Singapore's film industry has soared to new heights, with local filmmakers captivating global audiences and critics alike. At the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, two Made-with-SG films stood out, joining the ranks of the many local film co-productions that have recently gained international acclaim.
Stranger Eyes, directed by Chris Yeo Siew Hua, became the first Made-with-SG film to be selected to compete for the prestigious Golden Lion - the festival’s highest honour. This gripping thriller took Venice by storm and then headed to Asia for the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival. Here, the film shined on the international stage, clinching top honours in Best Original Score and elevating our local media scene. Meanwhile, Don’t Cry, Butterfly, produced by Singapore’s Tan Si En, made its mark as the only Asian film in this year’s Venice Critics’ Week – a tributary of the festival dedicated to highlighting emerging filmmakers. At the festival, the film was also presented with the top prize for Best Film and the Verona Club Award for Most Innovative Film. Directed by Vietnamese filmmaker Duong Dieu Linh, the film was hailed for its raw and emotional storytelling.
Both films were supported under IMDA’s Media Talent Progression Programme (MTPP), a key initiative with targeted grants to empower local filmmakers to bring their boldest visions to life. Stranger Eyes was supported by the Go-Global grant, which supports large-scale international projects with ambition and plans for wide global reach; while Don’t Cry, Butterfly was supported by the Southeast Asia (SEA) Co-Production grant, which supports projects that originated from the Southeast Asia region and in collaboration with a Singapore Co-Producer. MTPP also has a New SG Director grant to support first or second time Singapore directors – of which Chris was a recipient of for his previous feature film A Land Imagined.
A new era for Singaporean filmmaking
The recent success of both Stranger Eyes and Don’t Cry, Butterfly is evidence of Singapore’s flourishing film industry. For filmmakers like Chris and Si En, their journey to international acclaim has been a blend of persistence, passion, and ongoing support from initiatives like IMDA’s MTPP.
Chris, a prominent figure in Singaporean cinema, is known for his experimental style and thought-provoking narratives. A graduate of the National University of Singapore and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Chris is fascinated by the intersection of time, memory, and identity; themes that resonate throughout his work. His third feature film, Stranger Eyes, along with award-winning A Land Imagined, showcases his ability to weave his take on life into compelling characters and plots that leave a lasting impression on viewers worldwide. Chris explained, “Film is a medium that has the potential to explore the concept of time through images, especially in relation to the way we understand ourselves. I think that is why many of my films incorporate elements of time and issues of identity.”
Chris’ creative process for Stranger Eyes was 10 years in the making. Reminiscing about this journey, Chris highlighted the pivotal role that IMDA’s MTPP played in making the film a reality. “IMDA’s MTPP was critical in putting together the financial composition of the film because this was the first investment for us. Having the Go-Global grant definitely opened the doors to more co-productions of international acclaim,” he said.
For producer Tan Si En, filmmaking is about more than storytelling. As co-founder of Momo Film Co., Si En has carved a name for herself as a producer committed to sharing meaningful stories from across Southeast Asia. A graduate of Chapman University and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Si En has worked on several films that showcase her focus on emotional storytelling, diversity, and sustainability in the filmmaking process. She emphasised, “As a filmmaker and producer, it’s always about finding ways to share our stories, improving our work, fostering a healthier culture on set, and making sure it’s sustainable.”
Don’t Cry, Butterfly is a deeply evocative debut that explores complex themes such as family conflict, the clash between traditional culture and modern views, superstitions, belief systems, and emotional resilience. The film was praised for its singularity and creativity, as it mixes comedy, social drama, and fantasy in a seamless and memorable way. Reflecting on her journey, Si En said, “This is one of the best experiences for me as a producer – telling an important Southeast Asian story, championing great talent of our times, and most importantly, doing it all in a kind, respectful, and loving environment”.
Si En is deeply appreciative of the support she received from the MTTP, especially in terms of finetuning and enabling the process of bringing a co-production film to life. “The project received IMDA’s MTPP SEA Co-Production grant towards the end of its journey”, said Si En, explaining that this helped secure essential resources to complete the film and carve its place in the Venice Critics’ Week. The programme’s backing allowed her and the team to focus on what mattered the most, which is the creation of a film that tackled gender and cultural traditions unique to this neck of the woods in a way that resonates with audiences from every part of the world.
Commenting on the film’s success, Si En said, “It took a lot of hard work and an entire village to get this made so it means a lot to me, Linh, and the team to see our story and film fly on the world stage. It's a validation of all the risks we've taken and I hope that people will continue to take risks in an industry that is ever changing”.
Empowering filmmakers for global success
IMDA’s MTPP is, undoubtedly, a gamechanger for Singapore’s burgeoning film industry, helping filmmakers like Chris and Si En achieve international acclaim. Both filmmakers encountered numerous challenges early in their careers. Chris, for example, spent a decade developing Stranger Eyes because he lacked the resources to fully realise the project. The pandemic also cast a spoke in the wheel. Chris explained, “Before receiving the Go-Global grant, we didn’t have the resources to advance the project beyond developing the script. We had to shelve the whole project for some years because we just did not have the means to support it. It is only after receiving the grant that we could revive the project and finally bring it to life”.
On the same note, Si En, who has benefitted immensely from IMDA’s support, attributes her growth as a producer in part to programmes like the MTPP. “I have been a beneficiary of IMDA’s talent support throughout my career. It was the film POP AYE that truly inspired me to pursue producing, and IMDA’s commitment to promoting local talent on their funded sets played a pivotal role in launching my journey,” Si En reflected.
The MTPP is designed to empower local filmmakers by providing them with financial support, mentorship, and access to international networks. The programme allocates Content Grants for Long-Form (Go-Global, SEA Co-Production, New SG Director) and Short-Form projects, and Overseas Development Grants for selected platforms and events, allowing media professionals across different stages of their careers to work on co-productions, international collaborations, and build a strong portfolio.
For Chris, the Go-Global grant was instrumental in securing the right talent and resources to produce Stranger Eyes. “Getting the right people on board for our film was crucial to its success. IMDA’s MTPP gave us the chance to employ the right cast and crew to make Stranger Eyes a reality,” he said. Si-En also highlighted how the MTPP is opening doors for more Singaporean filmmakers to achieve international acclaim. “It is an exciting time for Singapore’s film industry. We are developing rapidly, our stories are acknowledged beyond our shores, and we have world-class talents here. Grants under the IMDA’s Media Talent Progression Programme are opening doors to more co-productions of international acclaim,” she noted.
The future shines bright
2023 marked a record year for Singapore’s media talent on the global stage. This streak is set to continue, with our local talent trailblazing in 2024 as well. Following its Venice triumph, Stranger Eyes opened the 35th Singapore International Film Festival, which featured an exciting line-up of over 25 local and Made-with-SG feature and short films. Don’t Cry, Butterfly was the opening film for the Foreground section of the festival, alongside other films that playfully subvert genre conventions through innovative storytelling. Both films represent the growing strength and diversity of Singaporean cinema.
IMDA’s MTTP is a vital tool in any director’s or producer’s arsenal, as it enables filmmakers to produce worldclass content and elevate their work on the global stage. As beneficiaries of the programme, both Chris and Si En are optimistic about the future of Singaporean cinema and believe that grants under the MTPP play an important role in helping the industry flourish. IMDA continues to equip filmmakers with the MTPP, along with several other initiatives to support business, talent, and content development through funds such as the S$10 million Singapore On-Screen Fund and S$30 million International Co-Production Fund.
If you are an aspiring filmmaker looking to make your mark with a #MadewithSG film on the golden stage, the MTPP could help you realise your dreams.
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