Singapore content creator Annette Lee to write and direct first feature film
The 32-year-old content creator is writing the screenplay and will work with entertainment company mm2 Entertainment to produce and distribute the movie. Principal photography is expected to start later in 2025.
The production is holding a casting call for actors fitting four categories: female, aged between 23 and 28; male, aged 23 to 28; female, aged 10 to 12; and male, aged 15 to 16.
Some acting experience is preferred and responses must come in by June 18. More information about the casting call can be found on Lee's Instagram page (@annettelee), which has 245,000 followers.
Dream Stall, which will be in Mandarin and English, is about a fresh university graduate named Enya (played by Lee) who takes over her father's bak kut teh hawker business. He disapproves of her decision, but she is determined to fulfil her dream of becoming a chef.
In a press statement, Lee says: "I want to explore a story that delves into the modern Singaporean dream and examines what it truly means to achieve success in a highly pragmatic society like Singapore."
The popular influencer and comedienne, who studied digital film-making at Nanyang Technological University, graduated in 2015.
Her short films Graduation (2014) and Keep Mum (2015) have earned awards and nominations, including at the Singapore Short Film Awards and National Youth Film Awards.
In 2016, she joined home-grown social media platform SGAG, becoming a pioneer in its video team, creating sketches and web series for brands.
She went independent in 2020 and now writes, directs and acts in her own videos.
Lee released her debut EP, All Our Achilles Heels, in 2017, and followed up with a second EP, Song For The Underdog, in 2020. She held her first major live show, Annette Lee: All-In-One, at the Esplanade Theatre in 2022, featuring her comedy and music.
Mr Gary Goh, managing director of mm2 Entertainment Singapore, says the company "is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of storytellers, primarily through our Y2Y (Youth to Youth) programme".
"Dream Stall exemplifies our belief in empowering young voices to share their unique perspectives and lived experiences. Annette's journey from content creator to feature film director is a powerful inspiration for aspiring film-makers across Singapore and the region. We hope her courage to tell an authentic story will encourage more young talents to pursue their dreams and contribute to our local film industry."
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