Singapore has launched a new screen fund to spotlight the country as a travel destination and enhance local media capabilities through collaborations with global media companies.
The Singapore On-Screen Fund has a budget of $7.5m (S$10m) and has been launched today (April 5) by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
Selected film and TV projects will receive funding support of up to 30% of qualifying spend related to featuring Singapore, including production and marketing costs. The projects must be set in Singapore and delivered before the first quarter of 2027.
Those invited to apply for the fund include major streamers, international media conglomerates and studios with strong track record. Proposals will be evaluated based on their distribution and market reach; content concept and creative merit; opportunities to feature Singapore’s offerings and experiences; and the number of local talents involved in credited roles.
“This exchange of capabilities through direct involvement in such projects will boost the credentials of our local media industry,” said Justin Ang, assistant chief executive, media, innovation, communications and marketing at IMDA. “We hope such collaborations will showcase to the world Singapore’s capabilities to take on large-scale productions on the global stage.”
In addition to supporting industry development, the fund also aims to ride the surge in entertainment content during the Covid pandemic to kickstart projects that profile Singapore as a travel destination.
Chang Chee Pey, assistant chief executive, marketing group at STB, said: “The fund allows us to tap the deep storytelling expertise of global media and entertainment players in a more purposeful way, showcasing Singapore through a fresh lens as travel demand recovers.”
Titles to prominently feature Singapore and employ local talent in recent years include Warner Bros’ romantic comedy hit Crazy Rich Asians, popular K-drama Little Women (2022) and the third season of HBO’s Westworld.
Crazy Rich Asians, which was co-produced by Singapore-based Infinite Frameworks, included 12 actors from Singapore and employed close to 300 local crew members. Prominent locations used in the 2018 feature included Gardens By The Bay, the iconic Merlion statue and the skyline of Marina Bay Sands.
In December, the IMDA launched a $3.7m (S$5m) virtual production innovation fund to help attract international partners in content and IP creation.
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