Singapore premiere.

• Main Author: Ong, Shannon.
• Other Authors: Hong Li Tsing Karen
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Visual arts and music::Film::Criticism; DRNTU::Visual arts and music::General::Social aspects; DRNTU::Visual arts and music::Drawing, design and illustration
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52361
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The popularity of commercial films in Singapore is exciting yet unsettling at the same time. Film enthusiasts are offered a never ending demand of Hollywood films, and many young and educated Singaporeans endorse to these popular films. Once in a while, the box office sees hits from local film director, Jack Neo. Fading behind the scenes, there are the less explored local independent films running on limited publicity and release. These films are often made on a low budget, and directors are not required to please the crowd with generic movie formulas. The nature of independent films allows directors to “throw caution to the wind” as they break out of the obligations tagged with making a successful film, and thereby expressing personal and intimate stories close to their hearts. These stories usually carry an important social message. It is with this in mind that Singapore Premiere is created to highlight social issues raised in local independent films. For its debut, Singapore Premiere sets up a free screening event which focuses on a collection of six selected short films, directed by graduates from ADM’s 2012 Digital Filmmaking cohort. Each short film offers a glimpse of Singapore stories often encountered in local newspapers, magazines and online news forums. The showcase of this collection wants to encourage Singaporean youths to be engaged with the films, and to reflect on the roles they play in society. This project does not advocate a boycott on commercial films, but rather motivates Singaporean youths to strike a balance between watching a feel good film, and a “do good” film.