Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) has confirmed that the inaugural ScreenSingapore event will be held from June 5-12, 2011, with the trade exhibition section scheduled to run from June 7-9.

The dates place the event after the Cannes film festival and market and should avoid a clash with the Shanghai International Film Festival and Cine Expo in Amsterdam which usually run later in June. The event is also positioned to coincide with the start of the Asian summer box office season.

Organised by the MDA and Singapore Airshow & Events Pte Ltd (SAe), ScreenSingapore aims to provide the US studios with a launchpad to promote their summer releases in Asia as well as provide a platform for showcasing Asian content to the world.  

The event will include a film and entertainment trade and technology market; Asia Pacific and regional premieres of upcoming Asian and US studio releases, along with conferences, workshops, financing seminars and producer forums.

Commenting on the announcement, MDA CEO Dr Christopher Chia said: “With support from the major studios and international industry players, ScreenSingapore is set to become one of the most exciting platforms for greater collaboration between East and West, uncovering upcoming talents and contributing to the dynamism of the global cinema industry.”

SAe managing director Jimmy Lau said: “The Expo@ScreenSingapore is a unique marketplace spotlighting on Asian content, as well as a mega showcase covering a spectrum of products and services relating to cinematic technologies including 3D and animation as well as home entertainment.”

The board of ScreenSingapore is chaired by Dune Entertainment CEO Greg Coote and also includes Chia, Fox co-president Paul Hanneman, Hyde Park Entertainment CEO Ashok Amritraj, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and Fortissimo Films chairman Michael J. Werner amongst others.

In addition, Richard Fox (Warner Bros); Roger Pollock (Paramount), Chris Thomas (BBDO Asia), Raja Sharif (Alnoor Holdings), Robert Kirby (Village Roadshow) and Kishore Lulla (Eros International) have been appointed as ambassadors of ScreenSingapore. Several other ambassadors will be appointed shortly.