SINGAPORE — Ajoomma, a movie directed by Singaporean filmmaker He Shuming, will be the country’s official submission for the Oscars in 2023.

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said on Tuesday (Oct 4) that the Singapore Film Commission has selected the film to be entered in the Best International Feature Film category for the annual Academy Awards in the United States, the biggest film and entertainment awards night of the year.

Ajoomma, a feature directorial debut for filmmaker He, follows a middle-aged widow’s obsession with South Korean pop culture and her journey to self-discovery.

It stars Singaporean veteran television actress Hong Huifang and South Korean actor Jung Dong-hwan.

The Singapore-South Korea co-production will make its world premiere at the 27th Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, under the main competition section of the festival called New Currents. The film festival is held from Oct 5 to 14 this year.

In Singapore, it will start screening from Oct 27 at cinemas under distributor Golden Village Pictures. 

Ajoomma has already received four nominations at the upcoming 59th Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan, which is scheduled to take place on Nov 19. It is nominated for:

• Best New Director
• Best Original Screenplay
• Best Leading Actress (Hong Huifang)
• Best Supporting Actor (Jung Dong-hwan) 

Film director He said that he is grateful to IMDA and the Singapore Film Commission for selecting the film for the Oscars, and he hopes that the movie would resonate with Singaporeans.

“This is a true labour of love and sincerity, and to have the accolades we’ve had so far is very encouraging,” he said of the film that is supported by IMDA’s New Director grant.

Producer Anthony Chen said: “We are just at the start of the film’s journey and look forward to bring laughs and tears to audiences far and beyond our shores. This is definitely the Singapore film of the year to watch.”

Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information, said in a Facebook post that she made some time before the parliamentary session on Tuesday to congratulate the Ajoomma team virtually. 

“I understand that the Singapore and South Korean co-workers also found their skills sharpened and craft enriched from working together,” she wrote.

“All the best to the team, who is heading to the Busan International Film Festival for the film’s world premiere on 7 Oct. Do support the film at local theatres when it premieres on Oct 27 as well. I will definitely make time to watch it.”

Mr Justin Ang, IMDA’s assistant chief executive of media, innovation, communications and marketing, said that the authority has worked with stakeholders of the media industry over the years to develop a support system for filmmakers and media companies.

He added that the selection of Ajoomma as Singapore’s entry for the Oscars "is testament that, collectively, we have raised the bar on storytelling and production values”.

The 95th Academy Awards next year will be held on March 12 at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live to more than 200 territories worldwide.

The deadline for general entry categories submission is Nov 15 this year, followed by voting exercises that will take place in December this year through to March next year.