MDA International Film Fund fuels Singapore-China-Korea co-production

5 November 2009

Los Angeles – Neon Sign, a Singapore-China-Korea film co-production, is the first film to receive support under the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) International Film Fund.
The film will be directed by Korean Pil Gam-Sung and is scheduled for release in 2011. Backed by CJ Entertainment and Beijing Polybona Film Distribution Co. Ltd, Neon Sign will be produced by Bang Productions (Singapore) and Nabi Pictures Ltd. (Korea) with support from MDA.

"This tripartite collaboration represents the growing synergies among Asian countries and our abilities to tell Asian stories concerning universal topics such as music and culture in a unique way for an international audience," said Dr Christopher Chia, chief executive officer, MDA.
Neon Sign is set in China's picturesque Yunnan province. The comedic road movie centers on a highly sought- after Korean pop idol who flees to China to escape paparazzi following scandals at home. On a quest to seek out a particular fan who could be the answer to his career woes, he is suddenly stranded in the remote but magical countryside of Yunnan with two wayward traveling companions in tow.

Joon Choi, vice president of CJ entertainment said, "CJ Entertainment is pleased to contribute to the realisation of this project as we believe the film will offer a warm-hearted delightful storyline that combines beautiful music, choreography and artistic direction to entertain audiences far beyond Asia's borders."
Keiko Bang, president of Bang Singapore said, "A project like Neon Sign beautifully weaves together Korea's dynamic talent both in front and behind the camera, China, both as a marketplace and a film location, and Singapore's unique role in the region as a hub for executive production, financing and production."
"Nabi Pictures is excited to be working with great partners across Asia and a wonderfully talented director, Gam-Sung Pil. With his Chinese-Korean background, we believe Pil's cultural and creative sensibilities will capture the essence of the Neon Sign story perfectly," said producer Min-whan Jo of Nabi Pictures.
The International Film Fund is one of several initiatives launched under the Singapore Media Fusion Plan. The Fund provides Singapore-based production and post-production companies the opportunity to executive produce and/or co-produce films of global appeal with international partners and will invest up to S$5 million per film, covering 17 to 20 projects ranging from animation, live-action features and post-production projects.