Lien Foundation rethinks dementia narratives through multi-genre film anthology

Lien Foundation and Dementia Singapore are shining a spotlight on dementia with "A Singapore dementia story", an anthology of five short films exploring love, caregiving, and the lived realities of the condition.

Premiering at Temasek Shophouse on 31 January 2026, the campaign blends creative storytelling with social impact, aiming to challenge perceptions and foster empathy through cinema.

The films feature local talent including Tan Kheng Hua and her daughter Lim Shi-Ann, Peter Yu, Alaric Tay, Onn Shu Ann, Suhaimi Yusof, and A. Panneeirchelvam, and span genres from romantic comedy to thriller.

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Actor Andie Chen makes his directorial debut with What day is it?, a story about a couple navigating forgetfulness with humour, love, and care. Other films include Gavin Lim’s Another go, Jenny Ng’s Really?, Raymus Chang’s AI-driven animation Two ways to forget, and Vikneshwaran Silva’s The last thread.

Curated by veteran producer Daniel Yun, the campaign draws on real experiences with caregivers and persons living with dementia. It reflects Lien Foundation and Dementia Singapore’s broader mission to raise awareness, support caregiving, and promote a dementia-inclusive society.

Screenings at Tembusu Canopy will run at 11am, 2.30pm, and 5.30pm, with complimentary tickets available online.

“Dementia affects everyone differently, depending on the type of dementia in question, the severity of the diagnosis, and by the person’s overall health. But we often forget that it also has a complex and wide-ranging effect on family members, caregivers, and friends, as well as our healthcare system, and society at large. Greater empathy is the cornerstone of a dementia-inclusive society because it fosters the understanding, respect, and connection necessary to bridge divides. And we believe it can be realised through skilled storytelling," said Bryan Tan, CEO, Dementia Singapore.

In tandem, Lee Poh Wah, CEO, Lien Foundation said "'A Singapore dementia story' draws on the courage of caregivers and the artistry of a team to illuminate the lived realities of those affected. In the face of dementia, we are bound together by threads of vulnerability, loss, love and hope. This anthology invites us to remember lives altered by dementia, confront stigma, and champion care that is both compassionate and creative.”

Over the years, Lien Foundation has collaborated with Dementia Singapore on multiple initiatives in a bid to improve the quality of life of persons living with dementia and their caregivers. Between 2016 and 2018, the foundation and Dementia Singapore, in collaboration with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, launched a “Forget us not” (FUN) initiative to build a community of care that supports persons living with dementia.

The "FUN initiative" aims to enable persons living with dementia to lead active, engaged lives for as long as they can. It also included multiple entertainment focused productions across theatre, film and even getai shows. Moreover, the initiative saw the establishment of Singapore’s first dementia-friendly estate in Yishun in 2016, followed by Bishan in the following year.

Building on this momentum, in 2019, Lien Foundation partnered with Dementia Singapore to create a programme known as Post Diagnostic Support (PDS). PDS was designed to proactively equip persons living with dementia and their caregivers, with information, care connections and a customised care plan. This holistic approach seeks to ease the confusion and sense of helplessness they face when first told of their impending journey in coping with the condition.

Later this year, Lien Foundation and Dementia Singapore are set to announce an updated PDS programme in the second quarter of 2026. Known as PDS+ (Post Diagnostic Support Plus), the programme seeks to strengthen support for Singapore’s rising population of persons living with dementia by introducing palliative care into existing dementia care services.

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