Grow that script of yours! The Objectifs Short Film Incubator is a new initiative focused on developing short film scripts by Southeast Asian filmmakers, presented by Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film in partnership with boutique film agency Momo Film Co. In its inaugural edition, the incubator will provide five selected participants with mentorship, the opportunity to hear from international industry professionals and a valuable support network as they work on their scripts.
Leong Puiyee, Senior Manager at Objectifs, says:
"The Objectifs Short Film Incubator was launched in response to a dearth of similar opportunities in Southeast Asia that are specifically focused on short film script development. Short films offer emerging filmmakers a dynamic format in which to experiment freely and find their style and voice.
Objectifs has been distributing Southeast Asian short films since as far back as 2006, has fostered community among regional filmmakers through initiatives such as Asian Film Focus, and has recently launched the Objectifs Film Library to increase access to Southeast Asian filmmakers' works outside of the festival circuit.
The Objectifs Short Film Incubator presented in partnership with Momo Film Co and various industry leaders marks an exciting new milestone in our long-term commitment to the importance of the short film medium and stories from Southeast Asia."
This year's mentors, who will work closely with the selected participants in one-on-one mentorship sessions and provide feedback on their short film script drafts are:
Davy Chou
A filmmaker and co-founder of Cambodian production company Anti-Archive. His first narrative feature, Diamond Island, premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival Critics Week and won the SACD Prize.
Pimpaka Towira
A pioneer among female film directors in the Thai independent film scene since the early 1990s, and a film programmer with more than 15 years of experience. She has also served as a jury member on many panels including the International Film Festival Rotterdam and the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen.
Participants will also have the opportunity to hear from international industry professionals:
Filipino filmmaker Sherad Anthony Sanchez will speak on how to pitch projects.
Local filmmaker and founder of Singapore's first boutique digital film lab Mocha Chai Laboratories, Chai Yee Wei, will speak on post-production.
Greta Fornari, manager of the TorinoFilmLab and co-founder of sales company Lights On, will speak on distribution.
These guest lectures, together with an Objectifs Film Club session featuring mentors Chou and Towira discussing their works and respective film practice, will also be open to the public to attend, as part of Objectifs' efforts to promote film appreciation and literacy. (Registration will open at a later date.)
The entire Objectifs Short Film Incubator programme will be held online, in the English language, from 1 to 25 Sept 2020. It is open to filmmakers of Southeast Asian nationality who have made at least one short film that has screened in international festivals or programmes, but not made a feature length film before, and are not full-time students.
Applicants may apply individually or as a team of up to three collaborators. The programme is free of charge for selected participants to attend.
For full programme details and to apply, visit https://www.objectifs.com.sg/objectifs-short-film-incubator/.
Closing date is 8 August. Please apply here.