Launched in June 2017, the HOOQ Filmmakers Guild is an annual initiative designed to seek out film talents in Asia that have great ideas but lack the opportunity to turn these ideas into reality. Directors, producers or scriptwriters have the opportunity to submit scripts and treatments for television series and the top five ideas receive USD 30,000 to produce a pilot episode that will debut on HOOQ. The best out of these five pilot episodes, decided by HOOQ subscribers and a star-studded judging panel consisting of the top film talents around Asia, will be converted into a full series produced and aired on HOOQ website and application.
The 2017 selections are Bhak (India), Suay (Thailand), Haunt Me (Singapore), How To Be A Good Girl (Singapore), Aliansi (Indonesia) and Heaven and Hell (Indonesia). The six were selected from some 500 submissions received by HOOQ over a 2-month period from all over South East Asia.
Judge Puttipong Promsaka Na Sakolnakorn commented, ""The number of submissions was far more than what any of us were expecting. The submissions spanned a range of genres and styles, from science fiction to supernatural and even historical dramas. The dominant genres submitted were drama, horror/supernatural and comedy, with science fiction and fantasy a close fourth"".
Judging was based on the relevance and potential appeal to Asian audiences, demonstrable creativity in storytelling and most of all, a well told Asian story with an original point of view.
SUAY from Thailand
Suay, a Thai crime thriller by Marcelo von Schwartz, follows the story of ladyboy go-go dancer Lola, who receives a cut-off ear belonging to her best friend and mentor, Carly. She is then forced to draw upon her past identity as a tough male private detective and descend into the underbelly of Bangkok.
Thai HOOQ Filmmakers Guild judge Wasin Pokpong said, ""I am very happy that HOOQ launched the HOOQ Filmmakers Guild this year because it has become a platform for aspiring filmmakers who were lacking resources to finally be able to bring their ideas to life. Sometimes, all it takes is a little boost to make dreams come true.""
Millions of viewers across the region are now keeping their eyes peeled as these six titles make the transition from a good idea to great stories. The six pilots will be screened on HOOQ early next year where the best pilot will then be commissioned into a full series.
HOW TO GET HOOQ
It's easy to get HOOQ'd. Customers can simply download the HOOQ app from Apple Store or Google Play, sign up or log in, to access HOOQ's extensive library of Hollywood and Asian hits. Find out more and sign up today for a 7-day free trial at www.hooq.tv and pay for the subscription through credit card. AIS customers get free trial for 45 days. Press * 508 * 8 # to make a call.
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About HOOQ
Built in Asia for Asia, HOOQ is Asia's first premium video-on-demand service to launch across the region. 32HOOQ is a start-up joint venture established in January 2015 by Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros. 32HOOQ delivers over 10,000 Hollywood, regional and local movies and TV shows to customers anytime, anywhere by enabling them to stream and download on their Internet device or platform of choice. 32HOOQ was also named Best Mobile App in the Media, Film, TV or Video category at the GSMA's Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards 2016 in Barcelona. HOOQ currently operates in the Philippines, Thailand, India, Indonesia and Singapore with a population footprint of over 1.7 billion people. For more information, visit www.hooq.tv.
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