Filmmaker Eric Khoo is first Singaporean on jury panel at Cannes Film Festival
Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo, 52, was among the five judges on the jury panel for this year’s Cannes Cinefondation at the Cannes Film Festival, which focuses on short films and student films.
On Friday (26 May), Khoo along with 2007 Palme d’Or winner Cristian Mungiu, French actress Clotilde Hesme, Greek director Athina Rachel Tsangari and “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins, awarded the first prize to a short film entitled “Paul Is Here”.
The short film was directed by Costa Rica’s Valentina Maurel, who is a student from Belgium’s Institut national Superior des Arts du Spectacle et des Techniques de Diffusion (INSAS).
Meanwhile, the second and third prizes went to “Heyvan” by Bahram Ark and Bahman Ark from the Iranian National School of Cinema, and “Deux Egares Son Morts” by Tommaso Usberti from French university La Femis respectively.
The Cinefondation will be awarding a €15,000 (S$23,164) grant to the first prize winner, €11,250 (S$17,373) to the second prize winner and €7,500 (S$11,582) to the third prize winner.
According to TODAY, Khoo is the first Singapore filmmaker to become a judge at the prestigious film festival, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
In an interview, the filmmaker was quoted as saying, “Through the years I have returned with other films, but it’s a true honour to be invited back by Gilles to be on the jury for the Short Film Palme d’Or 20 years later.”
Khoo, who is no stranger to Singapore’s film industry, has churned out several films including Singaporean drama “12 Storeys”, which was featured at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997.
Other films presented by the director and producer at the festival include “Tatsumi”, “My Magic” and “Be With Me”.
Related stories:
Cannes Award Winners Announced in Cinéfondation Selection of Student Films
Cannes: INSAS Student Valentina Maurel’s ‘Paul Is Here’ Wins Cannes Cinefondation
Follow Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore on Facebook.
