Singapore has selected director M. Raihan Halim’s Malay-language comedy-drama La Luna as its submission for the 2025 Academy Awards in the best international feature film category.
The film, a co-production between Singapore and Malaysia, is a comedy about a woman who opens a lingerie shop in a conservative Malaysian village, tackling themes of tradition versus modernity with a light touch. The movie was shot in the remote Malaysian town of Kuala Kangsar, near Ipoh in the northwest of the country.
La Luna marks Raihan’s second feature film after Banting (2014), which was Singapore’s first Malay film since the 1970s. The feature has been warmly received at several regional film festivals. It premiered in the Asian Future section of the Tokyo International Film Festival and was featured at the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival. Earlier this year, it was selected as the closing film at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and screened in the International Panorama section of the Shanghai International Film Festival.
Produced by Singaporean companies Clover Films and Papahan Films in collaboration with Malaysia’s ACT 2 Pictures and One Cool Film, La Luna features an ensemble cast that includes Shaheizy Sam (from recent blockbusters Polis Evo 3 and Malbatt), Sharifah Amani (best known for Sepet), Wan Hanafi Su, and Hisyam Hamid.
The project was supported by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) through the Media Talent Progression Programme. It was released in cinemas across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia in November 2023.
“I am at once humbled, amazed, and honored to represent Singapore with our little film, La Luna,” said Halim in a statement. “My team and I are truly over the moon! Pun intended.”
“La Luna is a great testament to Singapore’s multi-lingual and multi-ethnic makeup that gives rise to interesting stories, said Justin Ang, assistant chief executive at the IMDA. “We are proud of M Raihan Halim and the production team and cast, and we look forward to good news at the 2025 Oscars.”
Executive producer Lim Teck of Clover Films added: “We are so honored for La Luna to be selected as the official entry for Singapore. Kudos to Director Raihan, the cast and crew for this achievement.”
The film’s stars also shared their excitement. La Luna lead Sam said: “This is like every actor’s dream to be part of the world’s most prestigious award event, I’m so grateful.”
Added actress Sharifah Amani: “Being Hanie Abdullah in La Luna was a deeply personal experience for me, and now, to see it being recognized by Singapore as their official selection for the Oscars is simply surreal. Every film has its own life, and La Luna felt like a piece of art that was born from the passion and hard work of everyone involved.”
Singapore has submitted films for the Academy Awards since 2005, but the country has never been nominated.
The shortlist for the 97th Oscars will be announced on Dec. 17, 2024, with the final nominations revealed on Jan. 17, 2025. The awards ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025.
