Singapore's MediaCorp Raintree Pictures is to become the third partner inHong Kong-basedfilm fund, Irresistible Films, alongside producer Bill Kong and Japan's Avex Group.

Raintreewill contribute a third share of the $25m fundwhich aims to invest in four to six Asian films a year, with budgets ranging between $1m-$3m, directed by new filmmakers making their first, second or third films.

Irresistible Films' first production, Ivy Ho's Claustrophobia, starring Karena Lam and Ekin Cheng, premieres in competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival next week. It is also producing Strawberry Cliff by Fearless scriptwriter Chris Chow.

Infernal Affairs producer Nansun Shi heads the fund with Lorna Tee as general manager. Shi's Distribution Workshop will handle international sales of Irresistible projects with the exception of Claustrophobia and Strawberry Cliff which will be represented by Kong's Edko Films.

Raintree's parent company MediaCorp has given approval for the production and distribution outfit to participate in the fund, pending due diligence. Its involvement will giveIrresistible Filmsdistribution reach in South-East Asia in addition to China and Japan.

Meanwhile, Raintree is separately in talks with director Wayne Wang to direct a historical drama 1965, covering events during this turbulent periodin Singapore's past.

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