Oscars 2023: Ajoomma, Starring Hong Huifang, Selected As Singapore's Entry For Best International Feature Film Category

Ajoomma, the Anthony Chen-produced dramedy starring Hong Huifang as middle-aged widow who embarks on a life-changing trip to South Korea, has been selected as Singapore’s entry in the Best International Feature Film category at next year’s 95th Academy Awards.  

The Singapore Film Commission made the announcement on Tuesday (Oct 4).

The first-ever Singapore-South Korea co-production is up for four gongs at next month’s 59th Golden Horse Awards: He Shuming for Best New Director and Best Original Screenplay, Hong for Best Actress, and Jung Dong-Hwan for Best Supporting Actor.

Ajoomma will make its world premiere at the Busan International Festival this Friday (Oct 7), and will open commercially here Oct 27, with sneaks from Oct 21-24.

Sharing the news on Instagram, the Hong Kong-based Chen wrote, “AJOOMMA is selected to represent Singapore as its official submission to the Oscars! Film opens in Singapore cinemas 27 October. I mean it when I say THIS IS THE SINGAPORE FILM TO SEE THIS YEAR!”

Chen is no stranger to the Oscars race: he has represented Singapore with Ilo Ilo (2013) and Wet Season (2020).

The other Singapore films that have been submitted include Eric Khoo’s My Magic (2008) and Tatsumi (2011), Boo Junfeng’s Apprentice (2016), Kirsten Tan’s Pop Aye (2017), Yeo Siew Hua’s A Land Imagined (2019).

At time of writing, Hong Kong’s Where The Wind Blows, Japan’s Plan 75, Philippines’ On The Job: The Missing 8, South Korea’s Decision to Leave, Taiwan’s Goddamned Asura, and Thailand’s One for the Road, are among the Asian entries.

To qualify for the Oscars, the films must first be released theatrically in their respective countries between Jan 1, 2022, and Nov 30, 2022. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will announce the final eligible submissions.

The shortlist of 15 will be unveiled on Dec 21, with the final five nominees revealed on Jan 24, 2023. The 95th Academy Awards will take place on Mar 12, 2023, at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre.