The Singapore International Film Festival opened applications for its film grants on Tuesday, 1st December. Filmmakers can submit their applications for the SEA-DOC Grant and SEA-Short Grant by 31st January 2021.
2021 sees an increase in the number of film grants by the Singapore International Film Festival. This includes grant support for post-production, as well as an increase in the number of grants awarded.
The two grants currently on offer to filmmakers are the Tan Ean Kiam Foundation – SGIFF Southeast Asian Documentary Grant (SEA-DOC) and the SGIFF Southeast Asian – Short Film Grant (SEA-SHORTS). Both these grants were first introduced in 2018, in order to support the develop of thought-provoking films in the region.
Both grants have been regarded as largely successful, with recipient films receiving recognition on global film festival circuits. Some of their achievements include winning the Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique (FIPRESCI) at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, and the Amnesty International Award at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival (Aswang), as well as being selected for the Busan International Film Festival (Binh).
Filmmakers, here’s what’s up with these grants and their increased funding.
Changes to the SEA-DOC Grant – now extends to post-production
Annually, the SEA-DOC grant is awarded to four mid-length or feature projects annually. The grant champions important and compelling stories told through the art of documentary filmmaking in the region.
For the first time next year, the grant will extend its support to include post-production projects. The grant will now support two production projects with a cash amount of S$30,000 and two post-production projects with a cash amount of S$20,000 per recipient.
Changes to the SEA-SHORTS Grant – awardees doubled
The SEA-SHORTS Grant aims to fund the brightest upcoming names in filmmaking, and is supported C47 Investment and White Light Post. Come 2021, SGIFF will award the SEA-SHORTS grant to four recipients, double the number that was previously offered.
Each recipient will receive a cash amount of S$4,000 and post-production support worth S$4,000. The grant is open to all genres including drama, animation, and experimental short films.
Catch the premiere of three SEA-DOC recipient films
This year’s festival will also see the world premiere of three of SEA-DOC Grant recipients: Aswang, Citizen Hustler and Ploy, and three screenings of SEA-SHORTS: Binh, Judy Free and Nursery Rhymes, with tickets for the latter two already sold-out.
The screenings will be held together with panel discussion that explore Southeast Asian Identities through Documentary.
Submission Details
Interested parties may submit their applications from Tuesday, 1st of December 2020. Application and submission guidelines are available at https://filmacademy.sgiff.com/sgiff-film-fund/.
For more information about the Singapore International Film Festival, please visit https://www.sgiff.com/.
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