Singapore Film Festival runs into censorship issues in KL

The inaugural Singapore Film Festival has launched in Kuala Lumpur today.The event is produced by Culture Link, with programme partner, Singapore Film Society.The event which is set to run through 17 January, showcasing the best cinematic offerings from the island city, has however already ran into some censorship issues. Singaporean filmmaker Tan Pin Pin is said to be withdrawing her 2005 documentary, "Singapore GaGa", as Malaysian authorities look to censor the content. The film is said to celebrate the ties between Malaysia and Singapore but according to reports on Channel News Asia, Malaysian authorities claimed that it potentially poses as a “security threat” that could cause unrest.The festival will also see Singapore’s anthology film "7 Letters", Eric Khoo's "12 Storeys", award-winning "Ilo Ilo" and "Sayang Disayang" make their Malaysian premiere at GSC cinemas in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and 1Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, The Star reported.In conjunction with the festival’s line-up, a public forum called Cross-Causeway Cinema: Opportunities & Challenges, will be held on 16 January at Content Malaysia Pitching Centre in Platinum Sentral, KL. The free event will see Singaporean filmmakers Royston Tan and Sanif Olek sharing their industry experience with Malaysian directors Liew Seng Tat and Dain Said.The Singapore Film Festival marks the finale of Titian Budaya, a cultural event celebrating 50 years of friendship between Singapore and Malaysia.