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Silvia Wong
India's 'The Fourth Direction' takes top award at Singapore fest
7-Dec-2015Indian filmmaker Gurvinder Singh's The Fourth Direction won the top award of best film at the 26th Singapore International Film Festival's Silver Screen Awards.
Pinewood Malaysia sets sights on China
4-Dec-2015Pinewood Malaysia CEO Rezal Rahman spoke to Screen during the Asia TV Forum & Market.
China: 'The Martian' tops 'Gravity', 'Interstellar' openings on $50m
1-Dec-2015Fox's The Martian landed in pole position at the China box office with an impressive $48.95m in its first five days.
Asia TV Forum & Market 2015: small screen, big picture
27-Nov-2015SCREEN SUBSCRIBERS: Singapore's thriving Asia TV Forum & Market is designed to offer real insights into how to reach Asian TV audiences. Silvia Wong reports
Marathi films make waves at Film Bazaar
24-Nov-2015Mumbai-based Film City is presenting a package of nine Marathi-language films at Film Bazaar, as part of the Maharashtra state's initiative to promote Marathi culture.
Kids' content can get boost from local angle
23-Nov-2015Market for India's children's films can also benefit from 4G expansion.
Indie India explores new platforms
23-Nov-2015Film Bazaar panel looks at new ways to connect non-Bollywood films with audiences.
Indian kids' projects head to Sweden
23-Nov-2015Sweden's Financing Forum for Kids Content has selected two projects from Film Bazaar's inaugural Children Screenwriters' Lab for its 10th edition.
Mobile is driving India Internet boom
23-Nov-2015India is set to overtake the US in its Internet usage base.
Clinik launches new workshops for South Asian filmmakers
23-Nov-2015Kathmandu-based script and production development lab Clinik.Kathmandu is set to launch two new programmes for young South Asian filmmakers for its 2016 edition.
'Court' actress joins Sandhya
22-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: Actress Geetanjali Kulkarni, who was last seen in the multiple award-winning drama Court, has joined Mukti Krishan's feature debut Sandhya, one of the 19 projects chosen for the Film Bazaar's Co-Production Market this year.
'Bombairiya' to resume shoot in December
22-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: Caper comedy by Pia Sukanya is scheduled for release in first half of 2016.
Film Tourism Workshop readies India for its 'Hobbit' moment
21-Nov-2015As part of Film Bazaar's initiative to promote India as a filming destination, a film tourism workshop was conducted for the first time with local and international experts sharing their insight on various aspects of film tourism.
SA backers move into Blecher's Paradise
21-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: NFDC's Co-Production Market project On the Way to Paradise has received funding from three separate government bodies in South Africa: the Department of Trade and Industry, the National Film and Video Foundation and KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission.
GSP takes UK rights to 'Unromantic Woman'
21-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: Film Bazaar's Co-Production Market project Joan Carr-Wiggin's An Unromantic Woman has presold to the UK, with GSP Studios picking up the film from Toronto-based production company Paragraph Pictures.
China box office: 'Spectre' breaks records for Sony
17-Nov-2015The latest instalment of the James Bond franchise debuted with an impressive $48.55m over its three-day opening weekend.
'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials' tops China box office on $21.5m
10-Nov-2015Three Hollywood and two local new releases entered the weekly chart, with Fox's Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials raced to the top with $21.54m from its first five days.
'Ant-Man' reigns in China; Jia Zhangke has biggest hit
3-Nov-2015Ant-Man crossed $1m, while Mountains May Depart debuted as Jia Zhangke's biggest hit.
Emperor, Wanda take rights to Keigo Higashino bestseller
29-Oct-2015Japanese novel Miracles Of The Namiya General Store has sold 1.6 million copies in China.
'Ant-Man' takes Chinese box office lead; 'Pan' flops
27-Oct-2015Ant-Man topped the chart as Goodbye Mr Loser raced past $200m.
Singapore Film Festival reveals 2015 line-up; drops closing film
20-Oct-2015The festival will screen 146 films from 51 countries, and will honour Mohsen Makhmalbaf (pictured) with a five-film tribute.
'Goodbye Mr Loser' holds off 'Ant-Man' at China box office
20-Oct-2015Ant-Man opened with a strong $42.77m but Goodbye Mr Loser is still on top.
'Yellow Flowers' rules in Vietnam
15-Oct-2015Vietnamese-American director Victor Vu's latest film has become a surprise hit at the box office in Vietnam, raking in $2.67m with 850,000 admissions since its opening on October 1.
Hark & Company to release 'Mountain Cry' in Japan
14-Oct-2015The film will be released in Japan in Q3 2016.
'Goodbye Mr Loser' tops China box office
13-Oct-2015Goodbye Mr Loser knocked Lost In Hong Kong from the top spot.
'Lost in Hong Kong' leads strong week for China films
6-Oct-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Lost in Hong Kong surged past $200m during the lucrative National Day week.
'Lost In Hong Kong' hits $106.8m
29-Sep-2015Lost In Hong Kong has become the fastest local film to make $100m at the box office.
Edko to open 'Front Cover' in Hong Kong
23-Sep-2015Edko Films has acquired all Hong Kong and Macau rights to Ray Yeung's gay comedy drama Front Cover, with a Hong Kong theatrical release scheduled for the first quarter of 2016.
'Mission: Impossible 5' tops 'Minions' in China
22-Sep-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Paramount's Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation amassed $33.70m for a $120.29m cume.
'Mission: Impossible 5' tops China as 'Monster Hunt' sets new record
15-Sep-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Paramount's Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation grossed $86.42m in six days, while Monster Hunt has become the biggest-ever film in China.
Filmart 2015: Philip Yung, Port Of Call
23-Mar-2015Philip Yung talks to Silvia Wong about socially conscious storytelling and his HKIFF closing film Port Of Call.
Malaysia's Yasmin Ahmad dies aged 51
27-Jul-2009Renowned Malaysian writer-director Yasmin Ahmad passed away last Saturday after suffering a stroke and brain haemorrhage. She was 51.
Wonderful Town kicks off Bangkok Director's Screen project
15-May-2008The local film community in Bangkok is launching a Director's Screen project as part of an initiative to promote independent cinema.
Cathay, Emaar unveil details of Dubai exhibition venture
14-May-2008Reel Entertainment, the Dubai-based joint venture between Singapore exhibitor Cathay Organisation and Dubai property developer Emaar Malls Group, has announced that its new chain of multiplexes will be named Reel Cinemas.
Bangkok film festival pushed backto September
7-May-2008The organisers of the 6th Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) have revealed that the event will be rescheduled to September from the previously announced dates in late July.
Cerenzie-Peters acquires remake rights to Thai Devil
4-May-2008Paramount Pictures-based production and finance company Cerenzie-Peters Productions has acquired English-language remake rights to Thai horror hit Art Of The Devil 2 from Thailand's Five Star Production.
Wild Bunch picks up world rights to Khoo's My Magic
25-Apr-2008France's Wild Bunch has acquired worldwide sales rights, excluding France and Singapore, to Eric Khoo's Cannes competition-bound My Magic. Khoo's Singapore-based production outfit Zhao Wei Films has separately sold the film to ARP for France.
Thailand's GTH has phobia for Cannes market
21-Apr-2008Leading Thai producer-distributor GMM Tai Hub (GTH) will debut a new portmanteau film 4bia (pronounced as 'phobia') at the Cannes Film Market.
Mendoza's Slingshot dominates Singapore awards
13-Apr-2008Philippine director Brillante 'Dante' Mendoza's Slingshot dominated Singapore's Silver Screen Awards, walking away with best film, best director and the NETPAC award.
Censors block four films at Singapore festival
6-Apr-2008The 21st Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF) which started on Apr 4 has lost four documentary films to the local censors with another feature still pending a rating.
Censors block four films at Singapore festival
6-Apr-2008The 21st Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF) which started on Apr 4 has lost four documentary films to the local censors with another feature still pending a rating.
Ah Long becomes biggest Singapore release in Malaysia
26-Mar-2008Jack Neo's Ah Long Pte Ltd has become the biggest Singapore release in Malaysia after raking in $0.7 m (RM2.22m) in 12 days.
Three Chinese films withdrawn from Hong Kong festival
25-Mar-2008Three Chinese films have been pulled out of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (Mar 17 - Apr 6) amid increasing fears that Chinais tightening censorship following the recent Lust, Caution controversy.
Three Chinese films withdrawn from Hong Kong festival
25-Mar-2008Three Chinese films have been pulled out of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (Mar 17 - Apr 6) increasing fears that Chinais tightening censorship following the recent Lust, Caution controversy.
Malaysia's Golden Screen Cinemaspicks up Filmart trio
24-Mar-2008Malaysia's Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) has acquired three films from Hong Kong's Universe Films Distribution at Hong Kong Filmart.
Universe kicks up a storm of pre-sales for Pang Brothers
18-Mar-2008Hong Kong's Universe Films Distribution has scored a string of pre-sales on the Pang Brothers' The Stormriders II, starring Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng, which was unveiled a press conference at Filmart yesterday.
M&FC sells Someone Behind You to US
18-Mar-2008South Korean sales agent M&FC has announced a slew of sales on its romantic comedy Hello, Schoolgirl and horror film Someone Behind You.
Swift to co-produce Cinema Impierno
18-Mar-2008France 's Swift Distribution has boarded Brillante 'Dante' Mendoza 's Cinema Impierno (aka Service) as a co-producer - marking the sales company's first foray into production.
Star picks up Painted Skin
18-Mar-2008The Star Group has picked up pay-TV rights to Donnie Yen-starrer Painted Skin for Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.
Mono leads Filmartsales with The Follower
18-Mar-2008Thailand 's Mono Films has pre-sold The Follower to Indonesia's Ram Indo for Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.
Thailand lures international shoots
17-Mar-2008Thailand continues to be a hot Asian shooting destination with six international feature films scheduled to shoot there in the upcoming months, including Lee Jun-ik's Sunny, the Pang Brothers' Stormriders 2 and Street Fighter.
Easternlight Films acquires Legendary Assassin
17-Mar-2008Arclight Films' Asian label Easternlight Films has picked up worldwide rights to Wu Jing's action film Legendary Assassin at Filmart.
Vietnam Media brings Nguyen's award-winning Little Heart to market
17-Mar-2008Vietnam Media is debuting Nguyen Thanh Van's Little Heart (Trai Tim Be Bong) at Hong Kong's Filmart.
Khoo, Tan and Tong top Raintree slate
16-Mar-2008Celebrating its 10th anniversary as Singapore 's leading producer, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures has unveiled a slate of five projects, including three by the most prominent local film-makers and two co-productions with Hong Kong 's Salon Films.
Upside Down signs $11m deal with Hanwen
16-Mar-2008Singapore's Upside Down Entertainment (UDE) has sealed an $11m co-financing and co-production deal with China's Hanwen Animation Co (HAC), it was announced here today.
Celestial launches first Blu-ray title
16-Mar-2008Celestial Pictures is to release its first Blu-ray title with 1984 classic Behind The Yellow Line from the Shaw Brothers film library, starring the late Hong Kong superstar Leslie Cheung.
Mendoza picks up pre-sales on Service
16-Mar-2008Ignatius Films Canada has picked up a string of pre-sales for Brillante 'Dante' Mendoza 's latest film Service, including France and French-speaking territories (Swift Distribution), UK and Ireland (Peccadillo Pictures), and Taiwan (Joint Entertainment).
Syndromes to be released with blacked-out scenes
16-Mar-2008Acclaimed Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul has finally accepted the local censors' verdict of removing 'objectionable' scenes from his Syndromes And A Century after a second appeal was rejected.
China focus for Locations World
16-Mar-2008Shooting in China will be the central focus of the second Locations World trade show, which is running alongside this year's Filmart.
Bangkok International Film Fest to go ahead in July
9-Mar-2008Following the recent appointment of Weerasak Kowsurat as the new minister of tourism and sports, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has finally been given the greenlight for this year's Bangkok International Film Festival (BKIFF) which will be held from July 21-30.
Pfeiffer leaves Hong Kong'sCelestial Pictures
6-Mar-2008William Pfeiffer has resigned from Celestial Pictures after heading for seven years the Hong Kong-based company that owns the Shaw Brothers film library.
Neo's Money No Enough 2 starts shooting in Singapore
4-Mar-2008Singapore's film industry is witnessing a big surge in output with Jack Neo's latest comedy Money No Enough 2 being one of the four local productions that starts filming this month.
Man leaves Singapore's MDA for Mark Burnett
3-Mar-2008Man Shu Sum has resigned as director of the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) and director of strategic relations for the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA).
Singapore's Scorpio East buys six-pack from EMP
3-Mar-2008Singapore's Scorpio East Pictures has inked a six-movie package deal with Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP), including Derek Yee's Japan-set Shinjuku Incident starring Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu and Naoto Takenaka.
Chocolate becomes biggest film of the year in Thailand
26-Feb-2008Thai action flick Chocolate has become the highest-grossing film of the year in Thailand (excluding holdovers from last year), grossing $2m in less than three weeks.
Singapore's InnoForm Media acquires video distributor
25-Feb-2008Singapore producer-distributor InnoForm Media has acquired leading home video distributor Alliance Entertainment as a wholly-owned subsidiary, in line with a strategy of extending its business portfolio.
Singapore fest launchesPanorama to showcase local cinema
21-Feb-2008The Singapore International Film Festival is launching asection to highlight local cinema called Singapore Panorama.The fest'sSilver Screen Awards for Asian features will also include two competing films from the new sectionat its upcoming 21st edition (April 4-14.)
Love of Siam bags top honours at Thailand's Oscars
19-Feb-2008Love of Siam clinched three major prizes at the Thai Subhanahongsa Awards - billed as the nation's equivalent of the Ocars - including best picture, best director and best supporting actress.
Golden Harvest sells off stakes in Malaysia's TGV
18-Feb-2008Continuing its strategic focus on expanding in the Greater China region, Hong Kong-listed Golden Harvest Entertainment will divest all its interests in Malaysia 's second largest exhibitor TGV.
CJ7 has record-breaking opening in Singapore, Malaysia
13-Feb-2008Stephen Chow's CJ7 had huge opening weekends in Malaysia and Singapore during Chinese New Year after scoring a mega opening across China, Hong Kong and Taiwan the previous week.
Thailand's Major Cineplex expands into film production
11-Feb-2008Thailand's largest exhibitor Major Cineplex is set to expand into film production following the completion of a share swap between its subsidiary M Pictures and media and content provider Traffic Corner Holdings.
CJ7 has mighty opening weekend despite snowstorms
6-Feb-2008Stephen Chow's Chinese New Year offering CJ7 raked in $13.5m over its opening weekend in the Greater China region, topping the box office in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Malaysian box office hits all-time high of $100m
5-Feb-2008Continuing on an upward trend, Malaysia's 2007 box office crossed RM300m for the first time with its revenues hitting an all-time high of $100.64m (RM325m), up a whopping 22.55% from the previous year.
Bumper Asian crop set for release over Chinese New Year
29-Jan-2008Two Chinese-language films, Stephen Chow's CJ7 and Kung Fu Dunk starring Jay Chou, are poised to kick off the first major box office battle of the year with massive pan-Asian releases over the upcoming Chinese New Year.
Singapore box office posts double-digit increase in 2007
27-Jan-2008Singapore posted its biggest box office year ever in 2007, with total receipts up 16.7% to $107.54m (S$153m), marking the first double-digit growth in recent years.
King Naresuan films boost Thai 2007 box office by 20%
24-Jan-2008Boosted by two local mega-blockbusters King Naresuan Part 1 and 2, Thailand's box office scaled new heights in 2007 to reach $122.35m (THB3.8bn), representing a huge surge of 20.63% year-on-year.
Blitz Megaplex opens thirdcinema in Indonesia
16-Jan-2008Start-up Indonesian exhibitor Blitz Megaplex today (Jan 16) officially opened an eight-screen multiplex at Pacific Place in Jakarta.
Village, Golden Harvest settle Singapore dispute
15-Jan-2008Kenneth Tan will step down as head of Singapore exhibitor Golden Village (GV) as the company's co-owners, Australia's Village Roadshow and Hong Kong 's Golden Harvest, settle their dispute over their Singapore business partnership.
Village, Golden Harvest settle Singapore dispute
15-Jan-2008Kenneth Tan will step down as head of Singapore exhibitor Golden Village (GV) as the company's co-owners, Australia's Village Roadshow and Hong Kong 's Golden Harvest, settle their dispute over their Singapore business partnership.
Pye-Dog set forsimultaneous theatrical, TV release in Singapore
9-Jan-2008Singapore telco SingTel and Hong Kong-based Mei Ah Entertainment are planning to give Derek Kwok's directorial debut The Pye-Dog a same-day premiere in cinemas and on television.
Hong Kong box office up 11% due to multiplex expansion
7-Jan-2008After years of falling revenues or at best flat growth, Hong Kong was back on its feet in 2007 with total box office revenues at $129.63m (HK$1.01bn), the best in recent years, according to local industry body, the Motion Picture Industry Association (MPIA).
Malaysia's 2007 box office to hita record $91m
4-Jan-2008Malaysia is on track to produce yet another record-setting year with the total box office expected to sail past the $91.2m (RM300m) mark for the first time in its history.
Ian Maycock promoted to MD of Technicolor Thailand
4-Jan-2008Technicolor (Thailand) has named Ian Maycock as the new managing director of its Bangkok facilities, a key hub for servicing filmmakers and distributors in the pan-Asian region.
Yip rejoins Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures
2-Jan-2008May Yip has rejoined Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) as general manager for distribution.
Thai interim parliament approves controversial film act
21-Dec-2007Thailand approved the controversial new Film and Video Act yesterday during the last days of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), the interim parliament installed by the military junta until Sunday's general election.
Juthamas resigns from PPP following bribery accusations
21-Dec-2007Former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Juthamas Siriwan, yesterday (Dec 20) tendered her resignation as deputy head of Thailand's Puea Padin Party following the revelation of a bribery scandal over the Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF).
Khoo wraps Tamil-language drama You And Me
20-Dec-2007Singapore director Eric Khoo today wrapped his latest film You And Me after a 12-day shoot.
Gerald Green arrested over Bangkok film festival bribes
19-Dec-2007Los Angeles-based film executive Gerald Green and his wife Patricia of Film Festival Management (FFM) were arrested yesterday (Dec 18) in a Los Angeles federal court for paying bribes to obtain lucrative contracts for the Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF).
Jakarta honours 3 Days To Forever, Nagabonar
17-Dec-2007Riri Riza's road movie 3 Days To Forever was named best Indonesian film as the 9th Jakarta International Film Festival (Jiffest) came to a close. Deddy Mizwar bagged best Indonesian director for his comedy hit Nagabonar (Becomes) 2. Each was awarded a cash prize of US$5,000.To nurture young filmmakers, Jiffest ran a script development competition workshop from Dec 8-12 for shorts, ...
Warlords rampages across Asia with $15m opening
17-Dec-2007Peter Ho-sun Chan's The Warlords has set a record as the biggest simultaneous Chinese release of the year, grossing $15m across five Asian territories on its opening weekend.
Chan's epicWarlords conquers Chinain sneak previews
14-Dec-2007Peter Ho-sun Chan's highly-anticipated period epic The Warlords stormed into China, conquering RMB10m ($1.36m) within six hours during its sneak previews in selected cities on Wednesday night (Dec 12).
Indonesian filmmakers call for new film rating system
10-Dec-2007A revised proposal of a new film rating system was submitted to Indonesia 's Constitutional Court in Jakarta today, with the intention of replacing the dated censorship laws made during former President Suharto's regime in 1992.
Dharm, Lucky Miles share best film prize at AFFF
5-Dec-2007India's Dharm, about a Hindu priest's questioning of his religious belief, and Australia's Lucky Miles, about a group of men who are left stranded in the Australian desert, emerged as joint winners of the bestfilm prizeat the 3rd Asian Festival of 1st Films (AFFF).
Thomson to establish Asian digital cinema hub
4-Dec-2007Thomson is set to establish its first digital cinema hub in Asia, via its Technicolor Digital Cinema business, in view of the rapid growth for such services in the region's digital media and entertainment industry.
Untold Beauty cranks up with Fan, new investors
3-Dec-2007Taiwanese heartthrob Fan Chih Wei will topline the cast of Singapore first-time director Roy Lim's Untold Beauty which will begin shooting this Wednesday (Dec 5) after a change in investors.
Vietnam - Shugrue mountain
30-Nov-2007With 60% of its 84 million population below the age of 30, Vietnam offers huge potential to international exhibitors. But the biggest challenge is galvanising the audience into film-going.
Malaysia's Golden Screen Cinemas opens luxurytheatre
28-Nov-2007Malaysia's largest exhibitor Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) is further strengthening itself as a pioneer in South-East Asia with the opening of a luxury-hall-only boutique cinema.
MPA and Singapore's MDA launch Centre for Content Protection
28-Nov-2007The Motion Picture Association (MPA) today launched the Centre for Content Protection (CCP) as the first clearing house and resource centre for digital distribution and content protection in Asia Pacific.
Upside Down scores $10m deal with Cinema Solutions
27-Nov-2007Singapore's Upside Down Entertainment (UDE) has signed a $10m deal with US film finance company Cinema Solutions Inc (CSI) for two English-language feature films that the company will produce for the international market.
Singapore, Philippines sign MOU for film collaboration
27-Nov-2007Singapore and the Philippines today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for greater media collaborations in the areas of animation, games, TV and film.
Jakarta to close with premiere of Indonesian film Chants Of Lotus
22-Nov-2007The ninth Jakarta International Film Festival, or Jiffest, will for the first time close with a local Indonesian production, the world premiere of Nia Dinata's Chants of Lotus.
Jakarta fest to open with Persepolis, close with Lotus
22-Nov-2007The 9th Jakarta International Film Festival (Jiffest), which takes place Dec 7-16, will for the first time close with a local Indonesian film, the world premiere of Nia Dinata's Chants Of Lotus.
Singapore-based Anytime undergoes major restructuring
14-Nov-2007A major corporate restructuring is underway for Singapore-based VOD content provider Anytime in an effort to find new investors as the company is beset by funding issues and lower than anticipated sales.
Singapore's digital TV service signs studio deals
5-Nov-2007SingTel's new digital pay-TV service, mio TV, has formed strategic partnerships with four major movie studios.
Import/Export wins best film at Bangkok World fest
5-Nov-2007Austrian director Ulrich Seidl's Import/Export was named best film at the 5th World Film Festival of Bangkok on Saturday night.
Weed leads nominations for Asian Festival of 1st Films
1-Nov-2007Chinese director Wang Liren's feature debut Weed is the frontrunner at the 3rd Asian Festival of 1st Films (AFFF) with five nominations, including best film and best director.
Cathay sets up multiplex jv with Dubai's Emaar Malls
30-Oct-2007In its first expansion beyond South-East Asia, Singapore exhibitor Cathay Organisation has set up a joint venture with Dubai 's Emaar Malls.
Band's Visit scoops top honours at Turkey'sEurasia fest
29-Oct-2007Eran Kolirin's The Band's Visit, about an Egyptian police band which visits Israel for a performance, made a cross-cultural foray in the other direction when the Israeli production won best film at Turkey 's 3rd International Eurasia Film Festival on Sunday night.
Despite tricky timing, Antalya's Eurasia market spurs a few deals
26-Oct-2007The second edition of the Eurasia Film Market drew to a close yesterday, but participants said the market's timing proved difficult for some buyers.
Red Eagle set to soar for Thailand's Five Star
26-Oct-2007Thailand 's Five Star will unveil at AFM The Red Eagle, the latest film by acclaimed Thai director Wisit Sasanatieng and starring Ananda Everingham.
Eurasia film fest on schedule despite Turkish border war
26-Oct-2007Francis Ford Coppola attended the International Eurasia Film Festival for the gala screening of his Youth Without Youth amid escalating tension in Turkey.
Turkey's Antalya fest has double-header opening
21-Oct-2007An official two-day double opening kicked off the 44th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival and its accompanying 3rd International Eurasia Film Festival last Friday.
PUSAN: AFCNet to discuss production incentives
11-Oct-2007AFCNet, the Asian Film Commissions Network, has announced the launch of the first Asia Pacific Film Industry Policy Forum at its annual General Assembly yesterday.
PUSAN: Mendoza titles score salesto UK, France
10-Oct-2007Foster Child and Slingshot, two films by Filipino director Brillante 'Dante' Mendoza which are currently playing at the Pusan International Film Festival, have been sold to the UK and France respectively.
PUSAN: Hong Kong heats up as shooting destination
10-Oct-2007Hong Kong has been picked as the shooting location for a further three international productions, as it is gearing up for the latest film in the Batman franchise, The Dark Knight, early next month.
PUSAN: Everingham to star in first Laos film in three decades
9-Oct-2007Thai rising star Ananda Everingham is set to star in Sabaidee, Luang Prabang, a Thailand-Laos co-production which marks the first feature film from Laos in over three decades.
PUSAN: France's Les Films du Preau acquires Mukhsin
8-Oct-2007French children films specialist Les Films du Preau has acquired all rights to Yasmin Ahmad's Mukhsin, making it the first Malaysian film ever to be sold to France.
PUSAN: Five film commissions join AFCNet ranks
7-Oct-2007With Asian nations vying for the lucrative international location shooting business, five Asian film commissioners are making their debut as new members of AFCNet at BIFCOM, the locations showcase held concurrently with Pusan 's Asian Film Market.
PUSAN: Thailand's Mono Film dials up Missed Calls
7-Oct-2007After scoring a hit with romantic drama Me Myself which was subsequently bought for a Korean remake, up-and-coming Thai production house Mono Film is attending Pusan's Asian Film Market with new romantic drama Missed Calls.
Antalya Golden Orange film festival unveils line-up
28-Sep-2007Turkey's 44th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival (October 19-28) has unveiled a strong 12-film competition line-up for national feature films.
Bangkok World Film Festival to open with Blue Wolf
27-Sep-2007The 5th World Film Festival of Bangkok (October 25 - November 4) will open with Japanese director Shinichiro Sawai's The Blue Wolf: To The Ends Of The Earth And Sea about legendary Mongolian warrior Genghis Khan.
Batman sequel to touch down in Hong Kong
25-Sep-2007Hong Kong is set to join London and Chicago as a filming location for Warner Bros' latest Batman flick, The Dark Knight.
Donsol, 881 join foreign-language Oscar race
20-Sep-2007The Singapore Film Commission (SFC) has selected Royston Tan's 881 as the country's official entry for best foreign-language film for the 80th Academy Awards.
Turkey's Eurasia fest to close with Elizabeth: The Golden Age
18-Sep-2007Turkey's 3rd International Eurasia Film Festival, which will be held concurrently with the 44th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival (Oct 19-28), has selected Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth: The Golden Age, starring Cate Blanchett, as the closing film and also unveiled its competition line-up.
Rule Number One starts shooting with change of investors
14-Sep-2007Kelvin Tong's horror thriller Rule Number One is set to start principal photography in Hong Kong next Wednesday (September 19), making him the first Singapore director to cross over to mainstream Hong Kong cinema.
MegaStar Media opens Vietnam's biggest multiplex
13-Sep-2007MegaStar Media last night officially opened its first cinema in Ho Chi Minh City, which is also the biggest in Vietnam, as part of its continuous efforts in redefining the country's exhibition landscape.
Australia, Singapore sign co-production treaty
10-Sep-2007A new film and TV co-production pact has been inked between the governments of Australia and Singapore, with promises of greater creative exchange and incentives to producers.
Easternlight picks up Tan's box office hit 881
29-Aug-2007Easternlight Films, the Asian label of Gary Hamilton's international sales outfit Arclight Films, has acquired worldwide rights to Royston Tan's 881.
Thailand selects Naresuan Part 2 as Oscar entry
27-Aug-2007Thailand has selected The Legend Of King Naresuan Part 2 as its official entry for the best foreign-language film category of the 2008 Academy Awards.
Taiwan - Eros as a labour of love
24-Aug-2007Lee Kang-sheng has walked the Venice red carpet three times as the leading man of Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang's Vive L'Amour (1994), Goodbye Dragon Inn (2003) and most recently, I Don't Want To Sleep Alone (2006). This year, however, will see him there as not just an actor but as the writer-director of competition title Help Me Eros.
Andy Lau's Focus plans Brothers and new Fight series
20-Aug-2007Following on the successful launch of Focus First Cuts in 2005, Andy Lau's Hong Kong-based production company Focus Films is gearing up for a new Focus Fight series and is in production on a new gangster drama, Brothers, to star Lau.Focus Fight aims to produce a new wave of action dramas, from Chinese kung fu, Thai kick-boxing and other types of martial arts. Young directors, scriptwriters and actors in and outside Hong Kong are invited ...
New Thai production outfit Extra Virgin kicks off with media documentary
16-Aug-2007Thai film-maker Pimpaka Towira has set up a new Bangkok-based production outfit Extra Virgin with former Bangkok International Film Festival programmer Mai Meksawan and former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) executive Ruengsang Sripaoraya.'The company aims to start with independent and low-budget productions and branch out to a more diverse range of projects in the future,' says co-founder Mai.The debut slate includes Truth ...
Be Wild takes Japanese rights to Royston Tan's musical drama 881
14-Aug-2007Be Wild has taken on all Japanese rights to Royston Tan's new musical drama 881, making it the first pre-sale ever of a Singapore film to Japan.
Cinta takes top best film honours at Malaysian Film Festival
6-Aug-2007Khabir Bhatia's Cinta, an omnibus of five love stories set in modern-day Kuala Lumpur, was named best film at the 20th Malaysian Film Festival awards ceremony on Saturday night. It also took best supporting actor (for Haji Rahim Razali), best screenplay and best editor.
Malaysian box-office boom continues as Transformers sets new record
3-Aug-2007Transformers has emerged as the biggest film of all-time in Malaysia, raking in a total of $4.9m (RM16.9m) as of July 29.
Korea's Jang Hyuk joins Dance Of The Dragon cast
31-Jul-2007Korean sensation Jang Hyuk and Singapore actress Fann Wong have joined Jason Scott Lee in the cast of Easternlight Films' inaugural project, Dance Of The Dragon, which began shooting today in Singapore.
Bangkok wraps amid rumours that event may fold
30-Jul-2007The 5th Bangkok International Film Festival closed on Sunday night with the world premiere of Thai action drama Muay Thai Chaiya amid widespread rumour that it was the last time the curtain would fall on the event.
Celestial Movies launches on Indonesia's TELKOMVision
27-Jul-2007Celestial Movies launched today on the cable and DTH satellite platform operated by Indonesian pay-TV operator TELKOMVision.
Bangkok Market closes with a whimper due to poor attendance
25-Jul-2007The fourth Bangkok Film Market quietly came to a close today (Wednesday) in much the same manner as it opened softly two days ago.As in past years, the market is still plagued by the poor attendance of buyers. The situation has worsened this year when no free flights were given to buyers due to budget cuts.'Some buyers are not even aware the market is on after it was cancelled in January. The market, which has seen better days, certainly needs more promotion and ...
BANGKOK: GMM's Kung Fu Tootsie tops Thai box office
24-Jul-2007GMM Tai Hub's Kung Fu Tootsie has become the first Thai film to top the box office chart in July which is overwhelmed with Hollywood blockbusters.
BANGKOK: Thailand's Mono Film set to double production
24-Jul-2007Up-and-coming Thai producer Mono Film is set to double its production output next year to eight films from last year's four.
Malaysia's James Lee lines up Waiting, Hysteria
23-Jul-2007Malaysian pioneering independent filmmaker James Lee will shoot two new projects back-to-back - digital film Waiting For Love and his first 35mm mainstream feature film Hysteria.
Film Frame unleashes Brave at Bangkok Film Market
22-Jul-2007Thailand 's Film Frame Productions is launching action comedy drama Brave at the Bangkok Film Market, which kicks off today (July 23). The $1.2m picture - high by local standards - is a co-production with Aflin Shauki's Malaysian outfit Vision Works.
Thailand's Kantana starts work on Khan Kluay sequel
22-Jul-2007Thailand's Kantana Group has started production on a sequel to 3D animated feature Khan Kluay, about the adventures of a blue elephant, which was the top local hit at the Thai box office last year.
Bangkok fest opening heavy on filmmakers, light on glitz
20-Jul-2007Despite a six-month delay and constant doubts about the event's value, the Bangkok International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet last night for an opening gala, well-attended by local and international filmmakers, along with Thai politicians and the media.
Phuket film festival pushed back by two weeks
18-Jul-2007The inaugural Phuket Film Festival will change its dates to October 21-27, a delay of two weeks, as the screening venue will not be ready in time for its original play date.
Bangkok Film Market set to open for business next week
17-Jul-2007The Bangkok Film Market (July 23-25) is all set to open its doors for business with about 60 confirmed exhibiting companies and 800 pre-registered buyers, according to Surasak Sunpituksaree, secretary-general of the Federation of National Film Association.
Lim Teck joins Singapore's Scorpio East
17-Jul-2007Singapore 's publicly listed Scorpio East Group has appointed Lim Teck as general manager of its subsidiary Scorpio East Pictures, effective from August 1.
Ekachai Uekrongtham: reel to feel
6-Jul-2007To capture the notion of pleasure on film, Thai director Ekachai Uekrongtham has made a film about Singaporean prostitutes. Silvia Wong reports.
Festival watch: Bangkok International Film Festival
6-Jul-2007The Thai government's support for the local industry is focused on the annual international festival (July 19-29). Silvia Wong reports
Remakes: Thai take two
6-Jul-2007Remake rights for Thai genre movies are increasingly in demand from film-makers in Asia and the US. Silvia Wong reports.
Thai talent watch: the new vanguard
6-Jul-2007Silvia Wong highlights the names to watch out for from the Thai film sector
Thailand: on the market
6-Jul-2007Hong Kong action titles and J-horror films have helped whet the global appetite for Thai thrillers and chillers. Silvia Wong reports.
Thailand: projects in the pipeline
6-Jul-2007Thai productions coming to the screen soon, compiled by Silvia Wong. Click on link to be taken to related websiteFirst Flight (completed)Dir: Thanit JitnukulSet during the First World War, a young Thai peasant aspires to become a pilot in the country's first flying division.Contact: Golden Network, (852) 2751 1886www.goldnetasia.com
Children Of Glory selected as new opener for Bangkok fest
4-Jul-2007Children Of Glory , directed by Hungary's Krisztina Goda, has been selected as the new opening film of the Bangkok International Film Festival following last week's withdrawal of Persepolis .
Bangkok opener Persepolis pulled from festival line-up
27-Jun-2007Persepolis has been withdrawn as the opening film of the Bangkok International Film Festival, which is scheduled to start on July 19, following a request from the Iranian Embassy in Bangkok.
Bangkok film festival to open with Persepolis
22-Jun-2007Cannes joint jury prize winner Persepolis will open the Bangkok International Film Festival on July 19. The animated feature is also competing in the international section.
Thai resort Phuket to host international film festival
21-Jun-2007Thai holiday resort Phuket will host its first ever international film festival this autumn, which will showcase around 30 films, including the international premieres of Oscar Aibar's Dance Machine and Panos Angelopoulos' A Hero in Rome.
Bangkok finalises international competition line-up
19-Jun-2007The Bangkok International Film Festival (July 19-29) has unveiled its full international competition lineup, including three prize winners from Cannes: Lucia Penzo's XXY (which won Critics Week), Edge Of Heaven by Fatih Akin (which took the screenwriting Palme d'Or) and MarjaneSatrapi ...
Singapore, Malaysia join forces for Neo's Ah Long Ltd
15-Jun-2007Singapore 's MediaCorp Raintree Pictures and Scorpio East Pictures are collaborating with Malaysia 's Double Vision in Ah Long Ltd, the first co-production between the neighbouring countries in recent years.
Bangkok fest unveils ASEAN competition line-up
11-Jun-2007The Bangkok International Film Festival (July 19-29) has unveiled the line-up for its ASEAN competition which includes the world premiere of Thai director Santi Taepanich's feature debut Bangkok Time.
24 Frames buys remake rights to Thai horror Alone
10-Jun-2007Thai producer-distributor GMM Tai Hub (GTH) has struck an English-language remake deal for Alone with US start-up 24 Frames.
Global Film Initiative buys US rights to Bet Collector
7-Jun-2007Global Film Initiative has taken all US rights to award-winning Filipino drama The Bet Collector (Kubrador).
Thailand - Whirlwind Affair in Bangkok
1-Jun-2007After two high-profile international co-productions, Invisible Waves and Last Life In The Universe, Pen-ek Ratanaruang has returned to his Thai roots with the $2m Ploy, a riff on The Seven Year Itch. The film played in Directors' Fortnight at Cannes, where critics described it as dark, erotic and funny.
Cathay Classics signs $1m deal with Malaysia's new Variety View
19-May-2007Singapore-based Cathay-Keris Films has inked a distribution deal with Variety View, a new distribution start-up in Malaysia, for 230 titles from its Cathay Classics library.Under the terms of the deal, worth close to $1m, the Malaysian company holds worldwide rights for theatrical, pay and free TV, DVD and other distribution platforms for five years, up to 2012.Titles in the package include Chinese-language classics Mambo Girl, Wild Wild Rose, Sun Moon Star and Her Tender Heart, as well ...
Directors' Fortnight title Foster Child sold to France
14-May-2007Ad Vitam has acquired French rights to Filipino director Brillante 'Dante' Mendoza's Foster Child, which will play in the Directors' Fortnight sidebar at Cannes.
Singapore's RGM to finance Point Break sequel
14-May-2007Singapore-based RGM Entertainment will finance and executive produce Point Break 2, a sequel to the 1991 Hollywood hit, with key Asian actors to be cast in principal roles.
Singapore's Lighthouse enters sales with Solos
11-May-2007Following its withdrawal from last month's Singapore International Film Festival after being censored for its gay theme and explicit sex, Singapore drama Solos will make its market debut in Cannes through Lighthouse Pictures.
InnoForm snaps up Singapore rights to Chinese trio
8-May-2007Further positioning itself as a major buyer, InnoForm Media has acquired Singapore rights to three major Chinese titles - Peter Ho-sun Chan's The Warlords from ARM Distribution, Benny Chan's Invisible Target from Universe Films Distribution and John Woo-produced Blood Brothers from CMC Entertainment.
Opera Jawa triumphs at Singapore's Silver Screen Awards
27-Apr-2007Opera Jawa , an Indonesian musical filled with gamelan music and Javanese court dances, won best film at the Silver Screen Awards of the 20th Singapore International Film Festival. Director Garin Nugroho was on hand to receive the top honour.
Fortissimo picks up worldwide rights to Pleasure Factory
23-Apr-2007Fortissimo Films has taken on worldwide sales rights to Thai writer-director Ekachai Uekrongtham's Singapore-set drama Pleasure Factory, which has been selected for Un Certain Regard as the only South-East Asian feature in Cannes ' official selection this year.
Singapore censors allow jury-only screening of Solos
20-Apr-2007In an unexpected gesture of goodwill, Singapore 's Board of Film Censors has allowed an uncut, jury-only screening of Solos at the 20th Singapore International Film Festival.
Bangkok film fest outlines new Asia-centric strategy
19-Apr-2007The Bangkok International Film Festival has revealed further details of its upcoming fifth edition which will be held July 19-29 following a postponement from January.
Applause Taiwan changes name, unveils release slate
19-Apr-2007Following the launch of Hong Kong-based Arm Distribution by producer-director Peter Chan and Andre Morgan of Ruddy Morgan Organization, Applause Entertainment, the Taiwan subsidiary of Chan's Hong Kong-based Applause Pictures, will be renamed Arm Distribution Taiwan.
After This Our Exile scores at Hong Kong Film Awards
16-Apr-2007After a 17-year directing hiatus, Hong Kong veteran filmmaker Patrick Tam was named best director for After This Our Exile which also won best film at the 26th Hong Kong Film Awards on Sunday night.
China - The balance of power
13-Apr-2007Inspired by the Chinese classical novel Romance Of The Three Kingdoms, multiple award-winning Hong Kong director Mabel Cheung (The Soong Sisters, An Autumn's Tale) is putting together a project, Red Rose And White Rose, based on the story of two women caught up in male power plays.
Opening doors: Singapore International Film Festival
13-Apr-2007The Singapore International Film Festival (Siff) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, opening with a Sri Lankan film for the first time - Prasanna Jayakody's feature debut Sankara, a Buddhist fable.
Singapore: getting into bed with overseas partners
13-Apr-2007Given its tiny market - last year's box office amounted to just $86.5m (s$131m) - co-productions have become a practical necessity for Singapore to access the wider world.
The smart money is on Singapore
13-Apr-2007As the Singapore International Film festival opens, Screen International examines how the territory is aiming to pull in new backers.
Celestial strikes Malaysian, African deals for Shaw Brothers titles
12-Apr-2007Celestial Pictures has signed a home video distribution deal with Movie Master for the DVD release of more than 500 films from Shaw Brothers film library in Malaysia over five years. The titles include Justice, My Foot and Out of the Dark starring Stephen Chow and the Casino Tycoon series starring Andy Lau as well as martial arts classics such as
Apichatpong withdraws Syndromes from Thai cinemas after censors row
12-Apr-2007Acclaimed Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul is withdrawing his latest film Syndromes and a Century from theaters in response to local censors' demand for four cuts in the film.The film, which premiered at Venice last year and recently won best editing at the inaugural Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong, was scheduled to open in Bangkok on April 19. The limited two-print release would mark Thai-language film magazine Bioscope's first ...
Media Asia set to go private with eSun takeover
10-Apr-2007Media Asia, the Singapore-listed Hong Kong producer of Infernal Affairs, is set to go private through a buyout led by Hong Kong-listed media conglomerate eSun Holdings.
Thai horror Alone opens at top of local box office
3-Apr-2007Thai horror Alone, the hugely anticipated follow-up to smash hit Shutter, lived up to expectations with a strong opening weekend in Thailand, earning approximately $1m.
Singapore's Scorpio East to distribute Shaw Bros titles
1-Apr-2007Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has licensed Singapore video distribution rights to over 500 titles from its Shaw Brothers' film library to Singapore 's Scorpio East under a long-term agreement.
Thailand: inward production
30-Mar-2007Thanks to its lush settings, Thailand has long been a prime location. Despite the devastating tsunami in 2004, last year's military coup and the more recent Bangkok bombings, the territory is still attracting production.
RGM to co-finance Winged Creatures starring Forest Whitaker
26-Mar-2007Singapore-based media financing company RGM Entertainment is co-funding and executive producing Winged Creatures, its third international project under the Loan Guarantee Facility (LGF) in collaboration with the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA).
Pang Ho Cheung's Now Showing is coming soon
22-Mar-2007The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) announced today at its award ceremony that Pang Ho Cheung's Now Showing has secured finance from Hong Kong 's Sundream Motion Pictures and Beijing-based Huayi Brothers.
Messenger, Night-fragrant Flower among winners at HAF
22-Mar-2007Hong Kong-born director Clara Law's The Messenger clinched the HAF award for a Hong Kong project at the awards ceremony of the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum on Thursday (March 22).
Local Filipino films see 40% box-office surge
21-Mar-2007After making its market debut at Hong Kong Filmart last year, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has announced that the box office for local films jumped by 40% to $29.7m (PHP1.44bn) in 2006. It was the first increase in box office revenues for seven years.The biggest hit was Star Cinema's horror movie Sukob which grossed more than $4m (PHP200m) to become the highest-grossing local film of all time. Other local films ...
Two Thai films to get Korean remake treatment
21-Mar-2007Korea's production and distribution company K&Entertainment has bought the Korean remake rights to two Thai films: romantic drama Me Myself from Mono Film and RS Film's horror hit The Victim. This marks the first time that a Korean remake deal has been struck on Thai films.Pongpat Wachirabunjong's Me Myself features hot Thai actor Ananda Everingham as a ...
Grand Brilliance buys two from GreeneStreet
20-Mar-2007Malaysia's Grand Brilliance, which is making its Hong Kong Filmart market debut as a buyer, has picked up Gary the Tennis Coach starring Sean William Scott and Barry Munday starring Luke Wilson and Emily Mortimer from GreeneStreet Films International on the first day of the market. The company has also bought five titles from Capitol Films including Paddy Breathnach's horror film
Workpoint Entertainment opens new studios in Thailand
20-Mar-2007Thailand's status as an international shooting hub was given a further boost with the opening of a new 500m baht ($15m) studio by Workpoint Entertainment. The purpose-built studio consists of five NC 30-approved soundstages, one of which is the largest in Asia with 1,760 sq in size. The fully air-conditioned studio has a combined area of 4,372 sq m with facilities for sound recording, editing, post-production and casting.Workpoint, a publicly listed TV production ...
Fortissimo boards Pen-ek's Ploy as co-producer, sales agent
19-Mar-2007Fortissimo Films has come onboard as co-producer on Pen-ek Ratanaruang's latest film Ploy, an erotic psychological drama about jealousy produced by the Thai writer-director's longtime producer Thailand's Five Star Production. Fortissimo is also selling the film, which is currently in post-production in Thailand.The story, written by Pen-ek, is an exploration of jealousy. Only one location and three characters are employed throughout. ...
Hong Kong's Filmko unveils five to be financed
19-Mar-2007Hong Kong's Filmko Entertainment will put aside up to HK$70 mn this year for five productions including Pang Ho Cheung's Exodus and Law Chi Leung's Kidnap, both currently in post-production, according to president Dominic Yip.Exodus, featuring Simon Yam and Annie Liu as husband and wife, revolves around how men stumble upon the secret plot of women to destroy ...
Singapore/US financier Upside Down commits to Exodus
19-Mar-2007New Singapore-US film financing venture Upside Down Entertainment (UDE) is to back Daniel Chan's $12.8m Exodus, the first installment of the Battle of Hong Kong trilogy, as its first project. The new entity, a joint venture between Singapore's production house Upside Down Concepts and Mark Byers' Quixotic Media Group of the US, aims to bring western film financing strategies to Asia. 'We'll ...
Singapore's I Not Stupid franchise goes to China
19-Mar-2007Following the phenomenal success of I Not Stupid and I Not Stupid Too, which is nominated for best Asian film at this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures is set to extend the franchise to the vast China market with a follow-up to be shot entirely in China.I Not Stupid - China was unveiled at Hong Kong Filmart by Raintree ...
Three Dots backs first-time directors on 2007 slate
19-Mar-2007Continuing its support for developing new talent, Taiwan's Three Dots Entertainment is to back two feature films by young first-time directors in their twenties. Gavin Lin will start filming his feature debut Tears (working title) this June. The low budget production is a warm-hearted animal film about a young woman and a stray cat. Lin, who previously attended Pusan's Asian Film Academy, scooped the top prize at last year's Golden Reed ...
Hong Kong's Hippopotamus signs up Wang for Wushu
19-Mar-2007Hong Kong production outfit Hippopotamus Films has signed China's Wang Wenjie to play the lead role in Antony Szeto's Wushu.
Malaysia, MPA unleash sniffer dogs on DVD pirates
14-Mar-2007Malaysia 's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) and the Motion Picture Association (MPA) have jointly launched Operation Double Trouble, the latest anti-piracy effort which engages a pair of the world's first dogs trained with DVD-sniffing abilities.
Asian locations: Taiwan
1-Mar-2007Just a 90-minute flight from Hong Kong, Taiwan has world-class DoPs and sound designers. It is cheaper than Hong Kong, but is not as well
Singapore festto open with Sri Lankan drama Sankara
27-Feb-2007The Singapore International Film Festival (April 18-30), which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, will showcase more than 300 films from 40 countries.
Malaysia bans Muhammad's Village People
24-Feb-2007Malaysia has banned Amir Muhammad's Village People Radio Show, a documentary about former Malay-Muslim Communists now living in exile in southern Thailand, after the censorship board rejected the film for being sympathetic towards communism.
Dorm sweeps the board at Thai Critic Awards
23-Feb-2007Songyos Sugmakanan's solo directorial debut Dorm dominated the 15th Thailand National Critic Awards with five wins, including best film and best director, out of ten nominations.
Second Naresuan film conquers Thai box office
23-Feb-2007Following the success of the first instalment of Thai historical epic, The Legend Of King Naresuan, the second film in the trilogy, Declaration Of Independence, stormed the Thai box office on its four-day opening weekend, raking in a whopping $3.9m (130m baht) in Bangkok.
Neo's Just Follow Law has strong opening in Singapore
22-Feb-2007Singaporean director Jack Neo's Just Follow Law had a strong but not record-breaking four-day opening during the Chinese New Year holiday, scooping $421,000 from 35 prints for second place in the chart.
Singapore's Royston Tan to direct musical drama
8-Feb-2007Singapore's most celebrated writer-director Royston Tan, whose previous credits include 15 and 4:30, will next turn his hand to a musical drama, 881, which is scheduled to start principal photography on March 1.
Golden Flower leads Hong Kong Film Awards nominations
1-Feb-2007Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower is the clear frontrunner in the 26th edition of the Hong Kong Film Awards after earning 14 nominations, including best film, best director, best actor for Chow Yun Fat and best actress for Gong Li.
Thailand 's box office up by 2.5% in 2006
31-Jan-2007Thailand 's box office scored a hat trick in 2006 by breaking the $87m (BHT3bn) milestone for three years running.
Thai director turns on Chinese-language Pleasure Factory
29-Jan-2007Thai writer-director Ekachai Uekrongtham has wrapped principal photography of his first Chinese-language feature, Pleasure Factory, financed by his new Singapore-based production company Spicy Apple Films.
Asian locations: Hong Kong
26-Jan-2007Despite being one of the world's most expensive cities, Hong Kong has attracted several international film-makers. With its VAT-free tax system, highly professional crews, world-class infrastructure and unique cityscape, the territory has bagged several large-scale shoots including Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life, Rush Hour 2 and Spy Game.
Asian locations: Thailand
26-Jan-2007The December 2004 tsunami may have swept away many shooting locations in Thailand, but the territory's film sector has made a swift recovery.
Indonesian box office for US studios up 30%
25-Jan-2007Indonesian box office for Motion Picture Association (MPA) member films soared to new heights in 2006, increasing 29.5% to $33.8m (Rp307.55bn) from 67 releases.
King Naresuan tops Thailand's box office
23-Jan-2007Pegu's Hostage , the first part of the long-awaited Legend Of King Naresuan trilogy, raided Thailand 's box office over its four-day opening weekend, grossing $2.2m (80m baht) in Bangkok alone, according to distributor Sahamongkolfilm International.
Malaysia - Leading the charge
19-Jan-2007Malaysia's recent cinematic surge has been partially fronted by two female directors who have plenty to say and are not afraid to say it. With female directing voices thin on the ground, even in much less conservative societies than Muslim-dominated Malaysia, Yasmin Ahmad and Tan Chui Mui are airing their views on controversial issues and are now reaching far beyond their home turf.
Bangkok film festival reveals new venue and dates
18-Jan-2007The organisers of the Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) have revealed that this year's edition will take place July 19-29 at SF Cinema City's new 15-screen flagship located in the recently renovated Central World entertainment complex.
Ascension's Anna & Anna rises in Shanghai
18-Jan-2007Principal photography started today in Shanghai on Hong Kong writer-director Aubrey Lam's Anna & Anna, a $2.2m romantic thriller financed by US and Hong Kong-based Ascension Pictures.
Malaysian box office reaches all-time high in 2006
18-Jan-2007Malaysia 's box office continued to grow in 2006 with total takings reaching an all-time high of $75.7m (RM265.2m) from 314 releases, a 9% increase on record takings of $69.6m (RM243.6m) the previous year.
Bali bombings project passes Indonesian censorship
15-Jan-2007The first Indonesian film to tackle the 2002 Bali bomb blasts, Long Road To Heaven produced by Nia Dinata, has passed local censorship despite its controversial subject matter.
Singapore bounces back with 6% box office increase
10-Jan-2007After a flat 2005, Singapore box office regained growth momentum in 2006 with a 6% year-on-year increase in total box office takings which amounted to $85.18m (S$131.08m) from 341 releases.
Bangkok International Film Festival postponed until July
22-Dec-2006The 2007 BangkokInternational Film Festival (BKKIFF), scheduled to start on January 26, hasbeen postponed until July, according to Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, co-festivaldirector and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s international publicrelations director.The decision to delay theevent came after 'a potential cinema venue [decided] not to proceed withfurther discussions with TAT because of financial considerations', says TAT ina written ...
Jiffest hands out awards at inaugural competition
17-Dec-2006John De Rantau's Denias Senandung Di Atas Awan was namedbest Indonesian film while Rudy Soedjarwo took best Indonesian director for 9 Naga at the 8th Jakarta InternationalFilm Festival (Jiffest).
Indonesian censors ban five films screening at Jiffest
13-Dec-2006Dutch documentary Promised Paradise by Leonard RetelHelmrich, which contains images of 2002 Bali bomber Imam Samudra, has becomethe fifth film to be banned at this year's Jakarta International Film Festival(Jiffest) which opened last Friday.
Universal Studios to open theme park in Singapore
11-Dec-2006Universal Studios is set toopen its largest theme park in Asia after Infinity@The Bay, a joint venture betweenGenting International and Star Cruises, clinched the bid for the project todevelop an integrated resort on Sentosa island in Singapore.
China's The Road scoops top prizes at AFFF
7-Dec-2006China's The Road was the biggestwinner at the 2nd Asian Festival of 1st Films (AFFF), which wrapped Wednesdaynight in Singapore.
Golden Harvest sells stake in Golden Screen Cinemas
1-Dec-2006Golden Harvest, a HongKong-based regional exhibitor with more than 300 screens across Asia, is set to sell its 40.2% stake in Malaysia's Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) for $25m (RM91m) tofund expansion in China.
Bangkok festival ends contract with FFM
30-Nov-2006The Tourism Authority ofThailand (TAT) has terminated its contract with Film Festival Management (FFM),the US consulting firm that TAT hired for managing theBangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF), as a result of a considerablebudget cut.
Fortune Star to co-produce Tong's Rule Number One
29-Nov-2006Fortune Star Entertainmenthas entered into an agreement with Singapore-based InnoForm Media, KelvinTong's Boku Films and the Media Development Authority (MDA) to co-produce Tong'supcoming Rule Number One.
Singapore, Indonesian producers launch digital film fund
29-Nov-2006In a joint effort to developtheir local film industries, two production companies from Singapore and Indonesia have created a $3m digital film fund which will beused for the production of 10 digital features over the next two years.
Singapore's MDA, RGM set up loan guarantee scheme
27-Nov-2006Australian talent managementcompany RGM has set up a loan guarantee facility with Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) for theproduction of international films that include a Singapore production component.
Jiffest to launch competition for Indonesian films
22-Nov-2006The 8th JakartaInternational Film Festival (Jiffest), Indonesia's only international film festival, will puttogether a new competitive showcase dedicated to local cinema for the firsttime this year.
Tartan acquires North American rights to Thai duo
10-Nov-2006Thailand's GMM Tai Hub (GTH) inked a flurry of deals on fourof its horrors at the AFM, including two deals with Tartan Films for NorthAmerican rights to psychological thriller Dormand horror blockbuster Shutter.
Thailand's Five Star to start shooting Muay Thai Chaiya this month
1-Nov-2006Thailand's Five Star isunveiling its latest project at AFM - Muay Thai Chaiya, a $2m action drama written and to be directed byKongkait Komesiri.Shooting is scheduled tostart in the second week of November for delivery next May.Set ...
Cinemanila festival gains government support
31-Oct-2006The 8th Cinemanila film festival(Nov 3-15), which is the Philippines' only international film festival, has forthe first time gained the support of two national government agencies.
Bangkok festival proceeds despite coup
30-Oct-2006The 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) is going ahead as scheduled on January 26 - February 5 despite doubts related to last month's military coup.
Tam's Exile to open Toronto Reel Asian fest
27-Oct-2006Celebrating its 10thanniversary, the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival will open withthe North American premiere of Hong Kong director Patrick Tam'sAfter This, Our Exile, which recentlyreceived its world premiere at Pusan and the inaugural Rome Film Festival.
Fall leads nominations for Singapore's AFFF
26-Oct-2006The 2nd Asian Festival ofFirst Films (AFFF) has announced the nominations for this year's event in Singapore.
Isabella wins best film at Bangkok World film fest
23-Oct-2006Pang Ho Cheung's Isabella from Hong Kong was awarded best film at the 4th World Film Festival of Bangkok onSunday night (October 22).
TWC options remake rights to Thai thriller 13
23-Oct-2006The Weinstein Company (TWC) hasacquired remake rights to Thai psychological thriller 13 from Sahamongkolfilm, in a deal that also includes NorthAmerican rights to the original film.
Hong Kong's Focus Films picks up Malaysian duo
22-Oct-2006Hong Kong's Focus Films hastaken on the international sales rights to two Malaysian films - Tan Chui Mui'sdebut feature Love Conquers All and Yasmin Ahmad's latest film Mukhsin.
PUSAN: GTH scores string of sales on Alone
16-Oct-2006Thailand's GMM Tai Hub (GTH) has scored further deals on Alone, the long-awaited follow-up toThai writer-directors Parkpoom Wongpoom and Banjong Pisanthanakun's horror hit Shutter.
PUSAN: EuropaCorp picks up French rights to Unseeable
14-Oct-2006Luc Besson's EuropaCorp hasacquired French rights to Thai director Wisit Sasanatieng's new horror The Unseeable, which is scheduled toopen in Thailand on November 2, followed by a market debut at AFM.
PUSAN: Lim's Untold Beauty takes a walk on Wild Side
14-Oct-2006France's Wild Side Films has taken on the French rights to Singapore new writer-director Roy Lim's Untold Beauty, the debut project of two start-up production housesfrom Singapore, Rebel Productions and Shooting Gallery MotionPictures.
PUSAN: Tong to direct horror comedy for Singapore's Innoform
14-Oct-2006Singapore writer-director Kelvin Tong, whose Love Story is playing here at Pusan, will next shoot MenIn White, a horror comedy co-financed by Singapore video distributor InnoForm Media and Tong'sproduction company Boku Films.
Polybona boards Bigfoot's Chinese-language Huilu
10-Oct-2006China's Beijing Polybona has come on board as co-producer on Huilu, the Chinese-language version ofHong Kong-based Bigfoot Entertainment's psychological thriller Irreversi.
Thai Film Federation drops Waves for Ahimsa
8-Oct-2006In an unexpected move, Thailand has dropped Pen-ek Ratanaruang's Invisible Waves as its entry for the bestforeign-language film category of the Oscars and submitted Kittikorn Leosakun'sAhimsa: Stop To Run instead.
Golden Village installs 3D digital cinema system
3-Oct-2006Through its brand newflagship multiplex GV Vivocity, Singapore's largest exhibitor Golden Village has become the first in South-East Asia toinstall a 3D digital cinema system provided by Kodak.
Indonesia submits Love For Share as Oscar entry
3-Oct-2006Nia Dinata's Love For Share (Berbagi Suami) has been named Indonesia's official entry for this year's foreign-languageOscar category.
Thailand selects Invisible Waves as Oscar entry
26-Sep-2006Thailand has chosen Pen-ek Ratanaruang's noir thriller Invisible Waves as its official entryfor the best foreign-language film category of the 2007 Academy Awards.
Bangkok's World Film Festival spreads Banquet
19-Sep-2006The 4th World Film Festivalof Bangkok will open on October 11 with a gala premiere of Feng Xiaogang's The Banquet.
Ang Lee's Lust, Caution starts shooting in Malaysia
8-Sep-2006Ang Lee's wartime spythriller Lust, Caution started shooting this week in the Malaysian city of Ipoh, well-known for its pre-war architecture.
Video-on-demand service prepares Asia Pacific launch
25-Aug-2006Singapore-based video-on-demand company Anytime is set to launch an on-demand entertainment portal that allows consumers access to internet-delivered programming in the Asia Pacific region.
Ahmad's Gubra gets best film honours in Malaysia
Perhaps Love wins big at Golden Bauhinia Awards
Bet Collector gets year's first A rating in Philippines
14-Aug-2006Filipino directorJeffrey Jeturian's The Bet Collector (Kubrador), which isset for a North American premiere in Toronto, has become the first film to begiven an A rating this year by the Philippines' Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB).According to the CEB,the low-budget digital film that revolves around the daily life of an aging betcollector was "beautifully and skillfully ...
New Hong Kong producer Artforce starts Protege
Dragon Tiger Gate earns $3m in Asian opening
Bigfoot extends film fund to Singapore
26-Jul-2006LA and Asia-basedproducer/investor Bigfoot Entertainment plans to invest in Singapore-producedfeatures through its Bigfoot Partners Film Fund.
Rock band biopic wins best film at Cinemalaya
24-Jul-2006Michael Sandejas' Tulad Ng Dati was named best film at thesecond Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in Manila last night.
Thailand gears up for Bangkok Dangerous shoot
30-Jun-2006Thailand is set to host its biggest foreign shoot to date -Initial Entertainment Group's remake of the Pang Brothers gangster thriller Bangkok Dangerous - which is scheduledto start shooting for three months from this August.
MDA reports strong Cannes sales tally for Singapore
Raintree, Eyeworks to co-produce Tattooist
16-Jun-2006Following the signing of theNew Zealand-Singapore co-production treaty in 2004, Singapore's MediaCorp Raintree Pictures is set to co-producethe first NZ-Singapore feature, TheTattooist, with Eyeworks Touchdown.
InnoForm makes theatrical move with Thai package
12-Jun-2006Singapore video distributor InnoForm Media has snapped up allrights to a package of 37 titles from Thailand's Sahamongkolfilm International as part of its pushinto theatrical distribution.
Khan Kluay becomes Thailand's top animated film
5-Jun-2006Thailand's first3D animated feature Khan Kluay has emerged as thecountry's biggest animation of all time, grossing $1.96m (75m baht) on 60screens in Bangkok alone in less than three weeks of release.
Malaysian government bans The Last Communist
10-May-2006Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs has banned the release ofAmir Muhammad's The Last Communist,about former Communist leader Chin Peng, over-ruling an earlier decision of theFilm Censorship Board which passed the film uncut last month.
MonteCristo brings two Singaporean titles to Cannes
4-May-2006MonteCristo International has added two Singaporeanfilms, Graham Streeter's Cages andKelvin Tong's 1942, to its salesline-up for Cannes this year.
Thai exhibitor says political chaos is bad for business
3-May-2006Thailand's largest exhibitor Major Cineplex kickedoff the official opening of its latest 16-screen multiplex at upscale SiamParagon shopping centre with the premiere of Mission Impossible III - amid political and business uncertainty.
Japan's Talk takes best film at Singapore fest awards
28-Apr-2006Japanese director RyuichiHiroki's It's Only Talk won best filmat last night's [April 28] Silver Screen Awards, held as part of the SingaporeInternational Film Festival which closes today with Royston Tan's 4:30.
Prater steps down as head of Bangkok Film Festival
20-Apr-2006Craig Prater hasstepped down as executive director of the Bangkok International Film Festival(BKKIFF), a post that he has held for the last three years.
Dragon Tiger Gate sells to major Asia territories
21-Mar-2006Mandarin Films' $10m DragonTiger Gate has been sold to a string of Asian territories including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan, in addition ...
Chinese outlets hunger for Golden titles
20-Mar-2006Hong Kong sales outfit Golden Sun has racked up three major deals at Filmart, selling a record high of 148 Chinese titles from its library to a Guangzhou-based video-on-demand company.
Ayres' family saga unites Oz and Singapore
19-Mar-2006The firstAustralia-Singapore co-production, Tony Ayres' The Home Song Stories starring China-born American actress Joan Chen, isto start filming next month in Melbourne and later in Macau for a 2007delivery. Christopher Doyle is the cinematographer
Ayres' family saga unites Oz, Singapore
19-Mar-2006The firstAustralia-Singapore co-production, Tony Ayres' The Home Song Stories starring China-born American actress Joan Chen, isto start filming next month in Melbourne and later in Macau for a 2007delivery. Christopher Doyle is the cinematographer
HK's Focus cultivates ties with emerging filmmakers
19-Mar-2006Affirming its commitment togrooming new talents, Hong Kong's Focus Film is producing new feature films bythree directors that emerged through its First Cuts low-budget filmmakinginitiative that was unveiled last year.
Iconic Singapore picturehouse re-opens for business
19-Mar-2006Singapore's signature Cathaybuilding will welcome back movie-goers again this week following a $100mredevelopment effort by resurgent exhibitor-distributor Cathay.
Universe hot to trot with Tony Au's 21 Feet
19-Mar-2006Hong Kongproducer-distributor Universe Entertainment has added 21 Feet, veteran filmmaker Tony Au's first project asdirector in more than a decade, to the sales slate it is offering buyers at this week's Filmart convention. The $2.5m drama isabout a boy from Hong Kong who moves to China's Hainan island with his fatherto start a new life. The project, which is currently being cast, is scheduledto start shooting in June.
Scorpio East launches IPO
8-Mar-2006Singapore's leading home video distributor ScorpioEast has launched an IPO for a listing on the SESDAQ of the Singapore Exchangein a bid to raise approximately $2.5m (S$4.1m).
Bauer Martinez's Crash Bandits delays Thailand shoot
7-Mar-2006Bauer Martinez's Crash Bandits has pushed back filming in Thailand to January 2007 to allow for longer pre-production time, according to government agency Thailand Film Office.
Singapore film festival to focus on Arab cinema
1-Mar-2006Arab cinema is a majorhighlight of the 19th Singapore International Film Festival (April 13-29) whichwill open with Kiss Me Not On The Eyes,an Egypt-set drama about a female student of poetry and belly dancing byLebanese director Jocelyn Saab.
Thai horror Dorm tops local box office
28-Feb-2006GMM Tai Hub (GTH)'s psychologicalhorror Dorm opened in the top spot atthe Thai box office last weekend, beating the opening of Fun With Dick And Jane and Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain which was already on release.
Quiet Bangkok Film Market draws to a close
24-Feb-2006The third edition of theBangkok Film Market (BFM), which wrapped today (Feb 24), failed to generatemuch buzz with the event being described by most visitors as either "very quiet"or "very slow".
Asian trio join forces for Black Night omnibus
23-Feb-2006Japan's Movie-Eye Entertainment has joined forces with Thailand's Five Star Production and Hong Kong's Filmko Entertainment in producing a $2.5m pan-regional horror thatfeatures some of the hottest Asian talents.
Thailand's M Pictures takes trio from Nu Image
Red Films comes to Bangkok Film Festival with impressive slate
21-Feb-2006The 3rd Bangkok Film Marketkicked off today with more than 80 exhibitors from over 30 countries. Malaysia'sproduction company Red Films has chosen this market to make its debut as aseller, offering 12 productions by cutting-edge independent Malaysianfilm-makers.
Malaysia's Red Films makes sales debut at BFM
21-Feb-2006Malaysian production companyRed Films is making its debut as a seller at the Bangkok Film Market (BFM), which kicked off onMonday, offering 12 productions from cutting-edge independent Malaysianfilm-makers.
Invisible Waves roll from Berlin to Bangkok festival opening
17-Feb-2006Pen-ek Ratanaruang's highly-anticipated noir thriller Invisible Waves kicks off the 4thBangkok International Film Festival today. The Thai director, along with actor AsanoTadanobu, cinematographer Christopher Doyle and co-producer MingmongkolSonakul,are expected to reach the Thai capital in time for the red-carpet opening nightafter premiering the film in Berlin three days ago.
Seven Swords, Perhaps Love lead race for Hong Kong Film Awards
8-Feb-2006Tsui Hark's martial arts film Seven Swords and Peter Chan's musical Perhaps Love lead the race for the 25thHong Kong Film Awards with 11 nods each, closely followed by Johnnie To's triad drama Electionand Andrew Lau and Alan Mak's car racing drama Initial D with 10 nods each. All fourfilms are nominated for best film and best director.
Thai production companies leave FNFAT to support Bangkok Film Festival
7-Feb-2006Threeleading Thai production companies, GMM Tai Hub, Five Star and RS Film, lastFriday quit the Federation of the National Film Association of Thailand (FNFAT)in support of the upcoming Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) whichstarts on 17 February.
Singapore's I Not Stupid Too has strong opening
2-Feb-2006Jack Neo's Chinese New Yearoffering I Not Stupid Too has rackedup the biggest six-day opening for a local film in Singapore with $865,611 (S$1.41m), narrowly beating theprevious record of $848,856 (S$1.39m) set by Neo's Liang Po Po The Movie in 1999.
MPA settles Singapore piracy case
26-Jan-2006The Motion PictureAssociation (MPA) and Singapore home video licensee Alliance Entertainment havereached an out-of-court settlement with the TS Group which was sued forcopyright infringement.
Malaysian box office reaches record high
20-Jan-2006Malaysia's box office revenues grew by 21.5% to hit $64.87m(RM243.63m) in 2005, making it the biggest year ever in the territory's boxoffice history.
Bangkok unveils contenders for Golden Kinnarees
18-Jan-2006Brazil's House Of Sand, the UK's Mrs Henderson Presents and South Korea'sSympathy For Lady Vengeance are amongthe 12 films that have been selected for the international competition sectionof this year's Bangkok International Film Festival (Feb 17-27).
Harry Potter tops flat 2005 Singapore box office
13-Jan-2006Amid double-digit declineacross most key international markets, Singapore witnessed a marginal rise in 2005 box office takingsby 0.88% to $74.7m (S$121.4m) despite a drop of 6.9% in cinema admissions to14.8 million.
The Tin Mine wins top awards at Thai Suphannahongsa
5-Jan-2006Jira Maligool's The Tin Mine swept the Suphannahongsaawards last night (Jan 4), scooping six awards including best film, bestdirector and best supporting actor. The coming-of-age dramais Thailand's entry for the Oscar.Executive producers VisutePoolvoralaks from GMM Tai Hub and MingmongkolSonakul from Dedicate were on hand to receive the ...
Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) selects 25 film projects
3-Jan-2006TheHong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) has unveiled 25 Asian filmprojects for its 2006 edition. The selection consists of 10 projects from Hong Kong, 3 each from China and Taiwan, two each from Japan, Singapore, ...
Hong Kong's 2005 box office hits new record lows
3-Jan-2006Hong Kong cinema grossed a depressing $36.6m (HK$284m)from a record low of 55 local productions in 2005, continuing the decline of recent years.
Gie scoops best picture at Indonesia's top film honours
18-Dec-2005Riri Riza's Gie was named best picture at this year'sIndonesian Film Festival (FFI) awards ceremony which was held on Dec 15.
Celluloid Dreams picks up Royston Tan's 4:30
15-Dec-2005French sales outfit CelluloidDreams has acquired worldwide rights excluding Japan and Singapore to 4:30, the latest film from young Singapore writer/director Royston Tan whose credits include 15.The ...
SFC grants seed money to six projects
7-Dec-2005The Singapore FilmCommission (SFC) has announced the winners of its inaugural project developmentfunding scheme which offers total seed money of up to $118,624 (S$200,000) tosix new Singapore projects.The new scheme aims toencourage filmmakers to turn their creative ideas ...
KOFIC and Singapore's MDA join forces
1-Dec-2005The Korean Film Council of the Republic ofKorea (KOFIC) has inked a co-operation agreement with Singapore'sMedia Development Authority for film production under the Korean-Singapore FreeTrade Agreement (KSFTA).
Promising signs for Singapore digital animation
1-Dec-2005Singapore is boasting a first in digitalanimation with the release of Zodiac, The Race Begins, the city-state's first 3D animation feature.
Blossoming takes top award at inaugural AFFF
30-Nov-2005Filipino film The Blossoming Of Maximo Oliveros,directed by Auraeus Solito, was awarded best feature at the inaugural AsianFestival of First Films (AFFF) in Singapore last night (Nov 30).
Jakarta fest unveils biggest ever line-up
24-Nov-2005The 7th editionof the Jakarta International Film Festival (Jiffest) is set to be the biggestever with a line-up of 201 films from 35 countries in addition to workshops andmaster classes.
Hong Kong film industry explores US business ties
22-Nov-2005Agroup of Hong Kong film industry figures is expecting to increasebusiness activities with the US following a trademission organised by the US Consulate General'sCommercial Service in Hong Kong.
Wild Side takes two from Thailand's GMM Tai Hub
10-Nov-2005Thai production house GMMTai Hub (GTH), which attended AFM for the first time this year, has pre-sold Alone and Dorm to France's Wild Side Films during the market.
Forsaken Land wins top prize in Bangkok
24-Oct-2005The Forsaken Land, from Sri Lankan director Vimukthi Jayasundara, picked up the bestpicture award at the 3rd World Film Festival of Bangkok on Sunday night (Oct 23).
Shutter duo to reteam on Thai-Korean horror
9-Oct-2005The two writer-directorsbehind Thai blockbuster Shutter - Parkpoom Wongpoom and BanjongPisanthanakun - are planning a new horror picture, Alone, which willshoot in Thailand and Korea from March next year.
Singapore to host festival for new Asian directors
9-Oct-2005Singapore is set to host a new film festival for first-timedirectors - the Asian Festival of First Films (AFFF) - which is scheduled torun from November 23-30 with an awards gala on the final night.
Singapore censors lift ban on gay-themed Lan Yu
6-Oct-2005Singapore's film censors have lifted the ban on Stanley Kwan's2001 gay-themed drama Lan Yu, which local distributor Festive Filmsplans to release one week after Kwan's latest film, Everlasting Regret,on October 13.
Korean films dominate Asia Pacific Film Festival
3-Oct-2005The four-day long Asia Pacific Film Festival wrapped onSaturday night with South Korea taking three major awards, including best film(Tae Guk Gi), best director (Tae Guk Gi's Kang Je-Gyu) and best actor(A Family's Joo Hyun).
Singapore exhibition market opens up
22-Sep-2005Singapore's box office is set for a shake-up following an openingup of the exhibition market which allows films to be played on more screensthan ever before.
Krrish rolls in Singapore under incentive scheme
16-Sep-2005Production has started in Singapore on Indian director Rakesh Roshan's Krrish,which is the first film to take advantage of the $6m (S$10m) 'Film InSingapore' incentive scheme.
Hong Kong's Focus takes on hit Indonesian feature
Thailand selects Tin Mine as Oscar entry
8-Sep-2005Jira Maligool's The Tin Mine(Mahalai Meung Rae) has been selected as Thailand's official entry for the best foreign-language filmcategory of the 2006 Academy Awards.
Zhang Yimou reunites with Gong Li for China drama
1-Sep-2005Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou will reunite with his former museGong Li for the first time in 10 years in an untitled new film slated for 2006.
Fortissimo takes global rights to Singapore horror
22-Aug-2005FortissimoFilms has acquired worldwide rights to MediaCorp Raintree Pictures' The Maid, Singapore's first local horrorfilm.
Thai martial arts pic smashes box office records
15-Aug-2005SahamongkolfilmInternational's martial arts flick TomYum Goong has smashed box office records in both Thailand and Hong Kong onits opening weekend.
Thai epic to bequeath film industry city
4-Aug-2005PrinceChatrichalerm Yuko's Naresuan, thefollow-up to his 2001 historical epic TheLegend of Suriyothai, has resumed shooting after a six-month break tocomplete the extravagant set in Thailand's Kanchanaburi province.
Thailand's SF Cinema City gears up for IPO
2-Aug-2005Thailand's second-largestcinema chain SF Cinema City is gearing up for a public listing on the country'sstock exchange in the first quarter of 2006.
Star Group renews China Star output deal
Malaysia defies global box office slump
20-Jul-2005Malaysia's box office has soared 24% in the first sixmonths of the year, bucking the worldwide trend of a double-digit slumpsuffered by most key international markets.
Sepet dominates at Malaysian Film Festival
18-Jul-2005Sepet, an inter-racial lovestory by commercials director Yasmin Ahmad, won six awards including best filmat the 18th Malaysian Film Festival, which presents the country'stop film awards.
Australia's RGM launches $100m Singapore facility
14-Jul-2005In a bid to strengthen itspresence in Asia, Australian production and talent management company RGM hasopened a new Singapore office armed with a US$100m media financing facilityopen to international film producers.
Three Dots makes a Catch with new distribution outfit
29-Jun-2005Taiwan's Three DotsEntertainment has joined forces with new production and distribution companySerenity Entertainment International to produce Catch, the latestfeature from Formula 17 director DJ Chen.
EuropaCorp to co-produce tasty Thai title
24-Jun-2005Luc Besson's EuropaCorp will co-produce Thai director Wisit Sasanatieng's (Tears of the Black Tiger) next project withFive Star Production Company, marking the French mini-major's first foray intoAsian film production.
EuropaCorp to co-produce tasty Thai title
24-Jun-2005Luc Besson'sEuropaCorp will co-produce Thai director Wisit Sasanatieng's (Tears of the Black Tiger) next projectwith Five Star Production Company.
Tan heads first Singapore-Japan co-production
22-Jun-2005Singapore writer/director Royston Tan's script 0430 has been chosen byJapanese broadcaster NHK as one of the four projects for its 6th AsianFilm Festival, making it the first Singapore-Japan co-production.
Hong Kong clears way for rental licence fees
21-Jun-2005Video rental shops may be requiredto pay licence fees for the first time in Hong Kong under government plans to extend copyright laws.
Singapore's Cathay acquires 40 pictures at Cannes
10-Jun-2005Singapore distributor Cathayhas acquired a record 40 titles at this year's Cannes Film Festival, includingDuncan Tucker's road movie Transamerica,Hans Canosa's drama Conversations withOther Women in split screen format and Pen-ek Ratanaruang's film noir Invisible Waves.
Raintree revs up Stupid sequel
3-Jun-2005Singapore's MediaCorpRaintree is cranking up production with two new projects set to shoot.
Golden Harvest, Village Roadshow deal in doubt
26-May-2005Through its subsidiaryGolden Screen, Hong Kong's Golden Harvest has filed a petition to wind upDartina Development, the holding company of Singapore's largest exhibitor chainGolden Village.
Chinese films fail to make main Shanghai competition
24-May-2005Despite the centenary ofChinese cinema being the main theme of this year's 8th ShanghaiInternational Film Festival (SIFF) (June 11-19), no Chinese film has beenselected for its main competition.
Amelio's Star shines as Italian, Singapore co-production
17-May-2005Gianni Amelio's new film LaStella Che Non C'e' (The Missing Star)has been set up as a Singapore/Italian co-production, with Sergio Castellito inthe lead role of an Italian worker trying to prevent an industrial disaster ina Chinese steel mill.
New Regency set to Shutter Thai remake deal
12-May-2005Arnon Milchan's Fox-based NewRegency is expected to secure remake rights in Cannes for Thai blockbuster Shutter.The ...
Iraqi cinema steals Singapore festival limelight
29-Apr-2005Iraqi cinema stole thelimelight at the Silver Screen Awards Gala of this year's SingaporeInternational Film Festival (SIFF) when Oday Rasheed's Underexposure wasdeclared best film.
Khoo's Be With Me to open Directors' Fortnight
19-Apr-2005Be With Me, directed by Singapore's Eric Khoo (12 Storeys),has been selected as the opening film for directors' fortnight at Cannes.
Hustle, 2046 tie at Hong Kong Film Awards
28-Mar-2005This year's Hong KongFilm Awards was a straight tie between Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle and WongKar Wai's 2046, with eachwinning six prizes.
Sundream launches with $38.5m production war chest
23-Mar-2005Sundream Motion Pictures, the new film venture of Hong Kong's pay TVoperator i-CABLE Communication, officially launched today at Filmart.
Triad thriller Ah Sou unveiled at Hong Kong's Filmart
22-Mar-2005Hong Kongproduction outfit Filmko Films announced its first 2005 project at this week'sFilmart: Ah Sou, a US$3m Hong Kong-China co-production by risingdirector Wong Ching Po.
Thai production powerhouse unveils 2005 slate
11-Mar-2005Following a successful firstyear of operation, Thai production powerhouse GMM Tai Hub has unveiled aline-up of 10 genre-driven films directed by young talent for 2005.
Singapore festival throws spotlight on Asian anime
9-Mar-2005Asian anime is akey theme for this year's Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF) (Apr14-30) which will be book-ended by two Japanese animations. Katsuhiro Otomo's Steamboy opens the festival while MamoruOshii's Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence isthe closing film.
MediaCorp Raintree embarks on Leap Of Love
4-Feb-2005MediaCorpRaintree Pictures started production this week on its long-gestating Leap Of Love, a romantic comedy that CEODaniel Yun has been developing for years with the aim of raising the profile ofSingapore film on the international stage.
Golden Screen Cinemas boosts Malaysian circuit
2-Feb-2005Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC)has opened Malaysia's first multiplex in the heart of downtown Kuala Lumpur:the nine-screen multiplex is located in Berjaya Times Square shopping mall.
Sea Inside takes top Bangkok festival honours
24-Jan-2005AlejandroAmenabar's The Sea Inside won theGolden Kinnaree for best picture as well as best actor for Javier Bardem's roleas a quadriplegic at the third Bangkok International Film Festival.
Singapore theatrical business soars in 2004
10-Jan-2005Singapore'stheatrical business saw a 9% year-on-year rise in box office revenues in 2004 to $73m(S$120m) thanks largely to the popularity of summer releases.
Hong Kong box office surges in 2004
6-Jan-20052004 was a greatyear for Hong Kong's theatrical business with strong box office revenues postedfor both local and foreign productions.
Gay comedy scoops Indonesia's Citra awards
13-Dec-2004Arisan, controversial for featuring Indonesia's firston-screen gay kiss, swept several major Citra awards including best picture atthe Indonesian Film Festival. This year, the Indonesian equivalent to theOscars was held for the first time since 1992.
Indonesia's Oscars return after 12-year gap
8-Dec-2004TheCitra awards, Indonesia's equivalent of the Oscars, are back this year for thefirst time since 1992 as part of the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), organisedby the National Film Supervisory Body (BP2N) with a funding of $66,000 (Rp600m).
BVITV renews Star Group feature film deal
3-Dec-2004BuenaVista International Television - Asia Pacific has renewed its existingmulti-year agreement with News Corp's Star Group for feature films. The dealwas announced during the three-day Asia Film Market/Asia Television Forum (AFM/ATM) inSingapore, which closes on Dec 3.
Beautiful Boxer director readies martial arts epic
29-Nov-2004Thai director Ekachai Uekrongtham, whose debut Beautiful Boxer won the Grand Prix 2004Award at the Brussels International Film Festival, is readying two new projects for Thai studio GMM Grammy.
Asia Film Market confirms growth trend
25-Nov-2004The Asia Film Market (AFMC) and Asia TelevisionForum (ATF) (Dec 1-3) kicks off next week with a 30% increase in participantnumbers.Buena Vista International Television, CBS/ParamountInternational Television, Lions Gate Entertainment, NBC Universal, SonyPictures, CABLEready and BKN New Media are among the companies that haveregistered for the first time.Interest ...
Media Asia shares begin trading in Singapore
3-Nov-2004Hong Kong's Media Asia,producer of the Infernal Affairs trilogy, began trading on the SESDAQ ofthe Stock Exchange of Singapore yesterday (Nov 3). The IPO attracted strong interest from both institutions and small private investors. The retail tranche was eventually 23 times subscribed.
Raintree rolls with Maid horror
12-Oct-2004Singapore's MediaCorpRaintree Pictures has started the camera rolling for The Maid, a horror flick co-produced by Hong Kong's Dream MovieEntertainment and MovPix International of the Philippines.
Multiplex building spree in Malaysia, Singapore
30-Sep-2004Singapore's leadingexhibitor Golden Village is set to build the country's largest entertainmentmultiplex occupying 90,000 sq feet with 15 screens and about 2,500 seats.
China moves to boost digital screen count
17-Sep-2004In its latest digital upgrade,state-owned China Film Group has ordered ten new screen projectors due fordelivery to Beijing in October. The deal is part of the group's ongoing effortsin having 161 digital cinemas up and running by the end of 2004.The 10 new digital projectors are 2KDSR servers supplied by GDC Technology - the same Singaporean ...
Spider-Man 2 makes history in Indonesia
1-Sep-2004ColumbiaTriStar's Spider-Man 2 has become the first film in Indonesia's history tocross the Rp21bn ($2.3m) mark, beating theprevious record of Rp20,982,496,000 set by 20thFox's Titanic in 1998.
Malaysian exhibitor launches digital cinemas
25-Aug-2004Malaysia's Golden ScreenCinemas (GSC) is launching the territory's first digital cinemas in conjunctionwith the release of Visits: Hungry GhostAnthology, the country's first local Chinese ghost feature in which GSC isa co-investor.
Malaysian films aspire to international market
18-Aug-2004Following the local commercial success of Pontianak HarumSundal Malam, Malaysian writer/director Shuhaimi Babas is preparing a($526,000) RM2m sequel with her own company Pesona Pictures producing.
Vietnam appreciates Long Legged Girls
13-Aug-2004Nhung Co Gai Chan Dai (Long Legged Girls), Vietnam's first privately funded feature filmsince the government ended its state monopoly on film making in 2002, hasbecome a huge local hit, earning an estimated$320,000 (VND5 bn) since its opening on June 17.
Malaysia clears Passion - for Christians only
6-Aug-2004Mel Gibson's The Passion OfThe Christ has been cleared by Malaysia's Film Censorship Board for anuncensored release for all ages, albeit with one condition that is restrictedfor Christian eyes only.
Marcos documentary a hit in the Philippines
4-Aug-2004The controversialdocumentary film on former First Lady Imelda Marcos is doing good business inthe Philippines, raking in US$300,000 at the local box office after just twoweeks. The figure was very respectable for a documentary according toPhilippine distributor Unitel Productions.
Lucasfilm sets up Singapore animation studio
4-Aug-2004Making its first foray intoAsia, US entertainment company Lucasfilm has set up Lucasfilm AnimationSingapore for the production of digital animated content including films.
China box office stunned by Flying Daggers
22-Jul-2004Chinese director ZhangYimou's martial arts epic House Of FlyingDaggers has become the biggestever opener in China.
EMI buys into Hong Kong's Golden Harvest
19-Jul-2004EMI Group, the world'sthird-largest music company, plans to buy a stake in Hong Kong film maker anddistributor Golden Harvest Entertainment.
Singapore, China players partner for Stupid sequel
18-Jun-2004Singapore's MediaCorp Raintree Picturesis tapping into the huge China market following an agreement with the ShanghaiFilm Group to make a sequel to its 2002 box office hit I Not Stupid.
Singapore Bet pays off with record haul
14-Jun-2004Singapore's satiricalcomedy The Best Bet scored$66,000 (S$113,530) on 38 prints on its June 9 opening, making it the biggestever opening day gross for a local film. It also raked in $99,000 from itssneak preview over the weekend.
Media Asia goes for Singapore listing
9-Jun-2004Through a listing inSingapore, Hong Kong film outfit Media Asia is going for an initial publicoffering in July in a bid to raise $11.7m (S$20m).
Increased cinema-going prompts new cinemas in Malaysia
31-May-2004Withthe robust growth in cinema attendance, Singapore-based exhibitor CathayCineplexes is beefing up its presence in Malaysia with plans to add 13 newcinema screens across the straits.A 10-screenmultiplex with over 2,000 seats will be sited at Cineleisure Damansara, anentertainment complex in Kuala Lumpur similar in concept to Cathay's Singaporeflagship nine-screen Cineplex.Another threescreens with over 900 seats will be built in Kota ...
Wong Kar Wai takes on kung fu grandmaster
31-May-2004Acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wai has set his sights on the life story of Ip Man (pictured), the real life kung fu master of the legendary star Bruce Lee, as the subject of his next film.
Malaysia censor approves Kill Bill - but only Vol 2
28-May-2004Quentin Tarantino's KillBill Vol 2 has been passed by Malaysia's censorship board with a 18certificate - although Kill Bill Vol 1 was never released in theterritory.
Singapore unveils international funding incentive
26-May-2004In an attempt to lureinternational film makers to shoot and produce their pictures in thecity-state, Singapore has announced Film In Singapore, a $5.8m (S$10m) fundingincentive set up by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
Kal Ho Naa Ho dominates Indian Academy Awards
25-May-2004NikhilAdvani's Kal Ho Naa Ho walked away with eight top honours at thisyear's International Indian Film Academy awards (IIFA) -Bollywood's equivalent to the Oscar's - bagging best film, bestactress (Preity Zinta), best supporting actor (Saif Ali Khan) and actress (JayaBachchan) as well as four out of the five awards in the music category.
Malaysian Princess eyes international market
24-May-2004Through an exclusivemarketing deal with Rossellini and Associates, epic drama Puteri GunungLedang (The Princess Of Mount Ledang) is set to be the first Malaysian filmthat will break into the international market.
Kal Ho Naa Ho dominates Indian Academy awards
Kapur teams with Rings producer for Indian movies
24-May-2004Indian director ShekharKapur (Elizabeth) is teaming up with Lord Of The Rings producerBarrie Osborne for the first time to make two films in India.
Hong Kong tycoon acquire a 17% stake in movie powerhouse Golden Harvest
Censored: Singapore Film Festival
3-May-2004As this year'sSingapore International Film Festival draws to a close on May 1, festivaldirector Philip Cheah has revealed that the Board of Film Censors banned threefilms and asked to cut another three which were scheduled for screening -effectively removing six titles from the event.
Distance takes top Silver Screen award in Singapore
27-Apr-2004Turkish director Nuri BilgeCeylan's Uzak (Distance) emerged as the main winner at the Silver ScreenAwards of the 17th Singapore International Film Festival, bagging three majorprizes in the Asian feature film category.
Malaysia cracks down on film piracy
8-Apr-2004Malaysia scored a major crackdown on piracy on 1 April when $1.3m worth of illegal DVDs and VCDs and replicating equipment were seized from a single syndicate. Some of the discs were for distribution to India.
Astro poised to enter China Pay-TV market
30-Mar-2004Through Celestial Pictures, its 100% owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, Malaysia's pay-TV operator Astro All Asia Networks is poised to replicate its popular Celestial Movies channel in China.
Singapore unveils world's first digital multiplex
26-Mar-2004Singapore exhibitor Eng Wah Organization is on target to roll out the world's first full digital multiplex, strengthening Singapore's reputation as a pioneer in digital cinema technology.
Singapore admissions to rise as censorship laws relax
25-Mar-2004Cinema attendance is expected to rise significantly in Singapore thanks to the launch next week of a new ratings system.
Malaysia cranks up local production
8-Mar-2004Malaysiais poised to become the second largest film producer in South East Asia, thanksto an increasing number of pictures being churned out by local producers.
Irreversible clears Singapore censors uncut
23-Feb-2004Signalling that Singapore may be easing its strict film censorship stance, Gaspar Noe's controversial drama Irreversible has been cleared for an uncensored release in Singapore cinemas.
Malaysian box office surges upwards in 2003
9-Jan-2004Malaysia recorded an upward surge in 2003 in both the number of local film productions and their box office takings, according to statistics from Finas, the national film development body.
Rings reigns as top Singapore film of 2003
Hong Kong films expand 2003 market share
17-Dec-2003Hong Kong productions reversed their downward slide at the local box office in 2003, grossing $47m (HK$366) as of December 14, up 11.6% from the same period last year, according to industry body, the Motion Picture Industry Association (MPIA).
Metrowealth makes foreign language foray
17-Dec-2003Metrowealth Movies Production, Malaysia's most active Malay-language film producer in 2003, is making a foray into foreign language films targeted at the regional markets.
Malaysia's Metrowealth to almost double film production
10-Dec-2003Malaysia's Metrowealth Movies Production has an ambitious target for 2004 - aiming to produce 10 Malay-language films, almost doubling this year's output of six films made at a total cost of $22.1m (RM84m).
GSC beefs up Malaysian multiplex presence
1-Dec-2003Malaysia's film distributor and exhibitor GSC is adding a second cinema outlet on the island of Penang with the launch of a $4.7m (RM18m) 12-screen multiplex on 11 December.
Malaysia imposes home entertainment price controls
25-Nov-2003Malaysia is to impose price controls on home entertainment products in its fight against piracy despite opposition from the local film and music industries.
Website plans to boost Taiwan films abroad
24-Nov-2003Taiwan's Government Information Office (GIO) is gearing up for a re-launch of its website Taiwancinema.com as the definitive guide to the local film industry in a bid to further promote Taiwan-made films in the international market.
Homerun is a non-starter in Malaysia
7-Nov-2003Raintree Pictures' Homerun - which has picked up two nominations from Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards this year - has been banned in Malaysia.
Infernal Affairs leads Golden Horse race
31-Oct-2003Andrew Lau and Alan Mak's Infernal Affairs leads the race for this year's Golden Horse Awards - Taiwan's equivalent of the Oscars - with 12 nominations, while another Hong Kong cop thriller, Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai's PTU, is hot on its heels with 11 nods.
Hong Kong industry embarks on mainland China visit
23-Oct-2003A delegation of the Hong Kong film industry today (Oct 23) begins a three-day visit to Beijing to explore possibilities for closer co-operation with mainland China.
Malaysia looks to partner with China for co-productions
29-Sep-2003Malaysia's film development body Perbadana Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (FINAS) is in talks with China's Fujian Film Studio about establishing a joint co-production venture.
Taiwan producer targets Golden Horse awards
28-Aug-2003Taiwan's Central Motion Picture Corporation (CMPC) is wrapping up three films at a total budget of $6.6m (NT$225m)
Taiwan's Golden Horse rides out funding storm
19-Aug-2003Despite a funding controversy, this year's Taiwan's Golden Horse Film Festival and awards ceremony have received the green light to go ahead, according to George Chang, chairman of the event's executive committee.
Golden Horse organisers target Hong Kong
18-Aug-2003Organisers of Taiwan's Golden Horse awards are in Hong Kong to promote the 40th anniversary of the event amid criticisms that too many prizes have been given to Hong Kong-produced films.
Tsui Hark readies Chinese pair
14-Aug-2003Film Workshop's Tsui Hark is lining up two US$3.9m (HK$ 30m) Chinese-language dramas to be directed by Tsui himself later this year and early next year.
Hong Kong submits Affairs for Oscar consideration
6-Aug-2003Blockbuster action thriller Infernal Affairs has been selected as Hong Kong's official entry for the best foreign-language category of the 76th Academy Awards.
Malaysian funding plan runs into controversy
31-Jul-2003Malaysian director-screenwriter Adman Salleh's third feature, Paloh, is proving almost as controversial as his last film, Amok, which was once banned in its home country.
14 directors team for Hong Kong SARS shorts
28-May-2003Hong Kong's film industry is joining various sectors in the community to demonstrate its fighting spirit against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Hong Kong to construct 'Avenue of Stars'
28-May-2003A long-awaited project to create a Hollywood-style Avenue of Stars has finally taken off in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong launches production guarantee fund
23-Apr-2003In a bid to boost the flagging local film industry, the Hong Kong Government officially launched the Film Guarantee Fund yesterday. The new fund was created to help local companies secure bank loans for film production as well as to establish a solid film-financing infrastructure to facilitate the long-term development of the film industry in Hong Kong.
Nansun Shi to advise new Chinese video distribution joint venture
17-Mar-2003Despite her recent resignation from Media Asia Group, Hong Kong's film industry veteran Nansun Shi is to stay on as senior advisor to the group.