Singapore approves additional 50 screenings of Dear You in Teochew
The 50 screenings of Dear You in Teochew are in addition to the 22 screenings approved previously.
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SINGAPORE: An additional 50 screenings of the film Dear You in Teochew have been approved, as authorities respond to strong audience demand and growing interest in dialect content.
In a joint reply on Thursday (Jun 25), the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) said they recognise the “strong interest” in the film, noting that both its Teochew and Mandarin screenings have attracted wide audiences.
The newly approved screenings add to the 22 Teochew showings that had already been given the green light. Distributor Clover Films is working out the screening plans, which will be announced separately.
Of the earlier approvals, 18 Teochew screenings were granted to Clover Films, while another four were approved under a separate application by SPH Media Limited.
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The move comes amid public discussion over access to dialect films in Singapore, with Dear You emerging as a talking point in a broader conversation about language policy and cultural identity.
IMDA and MDDI reiterated that Mandarin continues to play an important unifying role among Chinese Singaporeans, while dialects remain “a valued part of Singapore’s cultural heritage and identity”.
"We are encouraged by the growing interest in dialects, including among younger Singaporeans and hope that these additional Teochew screenings enable more audiences to enjoy the film," they added.
The film's release in Singapore sparked public debate after IMDA confirmed that only a Mandarin-dubbed version would receive a commercial cinema release, while the original Teochew-language version would be limited to special niche screenings.
On Monday, MDDI said it remained open to facilitating and supporting additional Teochew-language screenings if the film's distributor applied for them.
The ministry also said it would adopt a more "flexible approach" when considering future applications to screen dialect-language films in cinemas.
Following the MDDI's statement, the distributor told CNA that it had sought approval for up to 50 Teochew screenings of Dear You.
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