Singapore Presents More Than 400 Hours of Compelling Content for Global Audiences at Hong Kong Filmart 2018

SINGAPORE, March 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will lead a delegation of 23 Singapore media companies to Hong Kong Filmart 2018, presenting over 400 hours of compelling stories from Asia across 54 titles. The Singapore companies at the market range from film and TV producers such as Clover Films, Sitting in Pictures and WaWa Pictures, to distributors like Ying Group and Bomanbridge Media.

1.    Coming to a screen near you soon | Gearing up for an exciting line-up in 2018 and beyond

• Ever wondered what happens when Japanese ramen meets Singaporean bak kut teh (a pork rib dish cooked in broth)? Ramen Teh, which premiered internationally at the Culinary Cinema section of the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2018, sees Masato, a young Japanese ramen chef travelling to Singapore after the sudden death of his father, when he chances upon a red notebook left behind by his Singaporean mother who died when he was 10 years old. Acting on a hunch, he takes off for Singapore with the notebook, hoping to discover the stories behind his Singaporean heritage, as well as that of his parents. Ramen Tehis directed by acclaimed Singapore director Eric Khoo, and produced by Zhao Wei Films.
• The Big Day is a romantic comedy produced by Clover Films, Weiyu Films and mm2 Entertainment. When Su Yu, a free-spirited diving instructor, says "Yes" to Nuo Yan, a modern funeral director, she imagines a simple wedding. But the reality is just the opposite on their big day -- from overbearing in-laws, to loan sharks, to a jealous best friend, to a house on fire and a funeral on the same day, the couple find their love for each other being tested by family, foes, and fate.
• In sports comedy Behind the Wheels, Charlie, a notoriously tenacious underdog car racing enthusiast finds himself stuck with an autistic girl, Stef, who refuses to leave his side. With no credentials, experience and workshop to back him up, follow Charlie on his adventure, as he defines all odds to become the youngest street racer in the Championship Race. Behind The Wheels is produced by Bert Pictures.
• La Luna by Papahan Films is a comedic tale of a young woman who sets up a lingerie shop in a conservative Muslim village. Not only does she challenge age-old traditions, she also turns the villagers' lives upside down. Papahan Films will be sharing more details about La Luna during the Singapore Hour networking session on 19 March, 4pm at the Singapore Pavilion, 1B-C18, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
• One Headlight by mm2 Entertainment is a musical feature film that sees aspiring musician Wenkai go on a road trip with his five-year-old niece to fulfil his deceased sister's wish of reuniting the little girl with her father. As they travel across the Taiwan coast to piece together the puzzle behind her father's whereabouts, Wenkai finds himself bonding with his niece over something very unexpected -- classic old songs.
• In Blessed Reunionby Weiyu Films, Min, a female assassin, returns to her Malaysian hometown after years in exile -- her mother is dying and has requested a final Chinese New Year reunion dinner with the family. It turns out to be an explosive New Year's Eve when family secrets -- long buried -- spill into the open. Min's life is also threatened, as a ruthless gang leader tracked her down from Bangkok to Malaysia, seeking revenge on her for killing his father.

2.    Intriguing Stories Across Genres | Diverse variety of television content from Singapore, from drama, to thrillers, to animation and more

• Embark on a gastronomic journey along the ancient Silk Road on Delicacy Hunter: On The Silk Road, a lifestyle series which features Chef Jamie, a fun, young British chef who speaks fluent Chinese. In Delicacy Hunter, Jamie will be challenged to combine what he has learnt with his own understanding of different cuisines to create his own Silk Road-inspired feasts along the way. Delicacy Hunter: On The Silk Road is produced by IFA Media and distributed by Bomanbridge Media.
• Timescapes: Asian Short Stories is a collection of five animated short films about life, love, set against the backdrops of past and present Asian stories. With virtually no dialogue, each film is accompanied by a musical score and aims to show how our living landscapes and surroundings intertwine with our memories and imagination. The moving anthology film is produced by Robot Playground Media and Starhub Singapore and distributed by Ying Group. Timescapes is a project commissioned by StarHub Singapore under IMDA's Public Service Broadcast Contestable Funds Scheme (PCFS).
• Kid Napped by August Pictures is a tele-movie that tells the story of Mia and her quest to be reunited with her son. After her release from prison, Mia manages to track down her son Xiaojie in a car that he was sleeping in, only to have the car driven off by a mysterious man, Ah Zheng. Will Xiaojie eventually be reunited with Mia?
• In action thriller MISSING, protagonist Sean's brother, Sam, went missing. Fast forward to thirty years later, where Sean is now an Inspector in the Crime Investigation Department's Special Investigation Section. With access to old case files, Sean pours over them and narrowed down his search to one place -- Bangkok, Thailand -- to look for his missing brother. MISSING is produced Wawa Pictures and distributed by Mediacorp.
• Ever wondered what it takes to be a national athlete? In sports reality programme Challenge Accepted, find out if national athletes' passion for their sports such as mixed martial arts (MMA), Equestrian and Gymnastics are enough to spur average men or women to achieve beyond their wildest dreams, as they embark on the rigorous training together with these athletes. Challenge Accepted is produced by The Moving Visuals Co and distributed by Ying Group.

3.    Networking opportunities at Hong Kong Filmart

• International trade partners can meet and network with the Singapore delegation during Singapore Hour, taking place on 19 March 2018, Monday, 4pm - 5pm at the Singapore Pavilion (1B-C18), Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
• Information on participating companies at the Singapore Pavilion can be found in Annex A.

About Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore's digital transformation with infocomm media. To do this, IMDA will develop a dynamic digital economy and a cohesive digital society, driven by an exceptional infocomm media (ICM) ecosystem – by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore's ICM infrastructure. IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment, and enhances Singapore's data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission. For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on Facebook IMDAsg and Twitter @IMDAsg.

ANNEX A – INFORMATION ON SINGAPORE COMPANIES AT HONG KONG FILMART 2018

Singapore Pavilion | Located at 1B-C18, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

SOURCE Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA)