Film Project in Development

This cross-border film project is currently in its early development and cultural research stage. Initiated by Singapore-based JJFILM PTE. LTD., the project is progressively engaging with filmmakers, production partners and cultural organisations across Malaysia, Indonesia and other parts of Asia.

With Singapore serving as its creative and developmental base, the project explores the cultures, histories, people and social environments of different Asian communities as sources of original storytelling.

Through location research, cultural study and regional collaboration, the project aims to develop an original film with a distinctive Asian identity and an international perspective.

The directing team has conducted preliminary location scouting and cultural research in Indonesia, studying its history, traditions, community life, architecture and filming environments. These findings will inform the project’s story development, screenwriting, visual design and production planning.

Alongside the development of cross-border partnerships, the project seeks to create meaningful opportunities for Singapore film talents to gain practical experience within regional production environments and strengthen their connections with the wider Asian film industry.

The project explores the people, cultures, histories and social environments of different Asian regions, considering how locally grounded experiences can be developed into cinematic stories that resonate with audiences across geographical and cultural boundaries.

Rather than treating overseas locations merely as visual backdrops, the creative team will ground the project in research into authentic cultural environments, historical contexts and community life.

Through field observation, background research, personal exchanges and cross-cultural collaboration, the team aims to develop an original work that respects local identity while carrying universal emotional relevance and international potential.

Key creative considerations include:

• Authentic representation of local culture and history
• Character identities, lived experiences and social relationships
• Understanding and exchange between different cultures
• Emotional resonance and accessibility for international audiences
• Respectful, accurate and responsible cultural representation

The directing team has undertaken preliminary location scouting and cultural research in Indonesia to gain a deeper understanding of local history, traditional culture, community life, architectural environments and potential filming locations.

The findings will serve as important references for story development, character design, screenwriting, visual direction and production planning.

By entering the local environment and engaging in direct observation, documentation and dialogue, the team seeks to build the future story and visual world upon genuine cultural understanding rather than relying solely on secondary information or imagination.

Areas of research include:

• Local history and cultural background
• Traditions, customs and community life
• Architecture, natural landscapes and spatial characteristics
• Personal stories and social environments
• Potential filming locations and production conditions
• Engagement with local cultural and production partners

Singapore’s creative and production professionals will form an important foundation of the project. Subject to each stage of development and the project’s production requirements, local film talents may participate across a range of creative, technical and production roles.

Potential areas of participation include:

• Directors, screenwriters and content development teams
• Singapore-based actors and performing talents
• Producers and on-set production personnel
• Camera, lighting, art and sound departments
• Editors, sound designers and other post-production professionals
• Project coordinators and cross-border production personnel

Selected IFCA students with suitable training and professional readiness may also be considered for performance or production opportunities, depending on casting requirements, project needs and production suitability.

Through participation in an actual film project, emerging talents can develop a practical understanding of production workflows, on-set discipline, professional collaboration and industry expectations, bridging the transition from training to professional practice.

The project is being developed from Singapore while progressively building connections with filmmakers, production partners and cultural resources in Malaysia, Indonesia and other parts of Asia.

Cross-border collaboration is intended to complement and strengthen the Singapore team by integrating cultural knowledge, creative experience, professional talent, filming environments and production resources from different regions.

Through regional collaboration, the project seeks to:

• Develop original Asian stories through shared creative exchange
• Encourage professional interaction among film talents from different regions
• Create cross-border production opportunities for Singapore talents
• Build regional project management and production experience
• Explore suitable co-production structures
• Strengthen connections between Singapore and the wider Asian film industry

As development progresses, the team will continue evaluating suitable creative partners, filming regions, production resources and potential regional co-production arrangements.

The project is currently in its early development and cultural research stage. It will progress according to its creative development, production requirements and partnership arrangements.

The development process includes:

• Cultural and background research
• Field studies and location scouting
• Story concept development
• Character and story-world development
• Screenwriting and script revision
• Engagement with regional partners
• Collaboration and production model planning
• Budgeting and production planning
• Pre-production preparation

The final content, filming locations, production partners, casting and production arrangements will be confirmed progressively as development advances.

The project’s development journey will document the directing team’s cultural research, location scouting, creative meetings, regional exchanges and production preparations.

These visual and written records will present not only the progression of a film from its initial concept towards production, but also how the creative team gradually develops its characters, story world and visual direction through field research and cross-cultural engagement.

This page will be updated as new research, collaboration and production milestones are reached.

• Director: Yeo Sze Liang
• Production Company: JJFILM PTE. LTD.
• Project Base: Singapore
• Regional Collaboration Direction: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and other parts of Asia
• Singapore Talent Participation: Directors and creative teams, actors, production personnel, IFCA students and post-production professionals
• Current Status: Early development and cultural research stage