Football and film are director Jacen Tan's greatest passions.

 

Jacen Tan was named by The Straits Times, Life! as one of Singapore’s most exciting young filmmakers. His first short film, Tak Giu (Kick Ball), became a viral hit on the Internet in 2005, getting over 100,000 views in the pre-YouTube days.

 

Shot with just a camcorder, Tak Giu, a film about lack of playing spaces in Singapore, spread like wild-fire and made waves in the football and online community. 2 years after Tak Giu was released, 284 State fields were upgraded and opened for public recreation.

In 2005, his 2nd film, Zo Peng (Go Army), won 2nd place at the Panasonic MDA Digital Film Fiesta. His series of films Zo Gang & Zo Hee (Go Work & Make Movie) continue his well-received style of filmmaking with a unique sense of local humour. Zo Hee was specially commissioned by The Substation Moving Images to celebrate its 10th anniversary. 

In 2011, Jacen released Hosaywood, a DVD compilation of his short films. Popularising the local slang “Hosay” (“great!”) has helped Tan stand out as a filmmaker who has embraced being Singaporean by touching on topics close to the hearts of the people.

 

Jacen's latest short film Homeground was selected for the POSB Storytellers Grant in 2015. He is currently working on his first feature film, Zombiepura.


Press reviews of Jacen Tan's films:

 
“Singapore's latest film funnyman” - The Straits Times, Life!
“Hooray, Hosaywood!” – MyPaper

“More Singaporean flavour than a pot of curry” – 8 Days

 

 

Email: jacen (at) hosaywood (dot) com

Facebook: facebook.com/hosaywood

Website: www.hosaywood.com