The Singapore Film Commission, Singapore Broadcasting Authority and Raintree Pictures have signed an agreement to co-finance and produce four English-language telemovies in an attempt to foster local talent.

The four 90 min films will be produced over the next 12 months with each of the three partners investing up to $82,000 (S$150,000).

The films will be shot using the high definition CineAlta system provided by Sony Singapore, a division of Sony Electronics. On completion they will be screened on the island state's English-language terrestrial Channel 5 operated by MediaCorp, owner of film production company Raintree Pictures.

Over the next month, script proposals will be assessed according to four criteria: originality and quality of screenplay, production budget, track record/potential of the director, producer and writer and track record of the production company.

"The local movie industry desperately needs the volume of output to expand its pool of talents and establish the required infrastructure for production and post-production. Without the burden of box office success and with an environment closer to feature film-making than producing short films on 16 or 35mm, we hope to uncover the new Erics, Jacks, Glens and Cheeks," said Raintree's CEO Daniel Yun.