Singapore to Host 3DX

"Singapore has been tapped as host city for 3DX: 3D Film & Entertainment Festival, skedded for Nov. 19-23. The Media Development Authority of Singapore calls the event "the world's first fully 3-D based film and entertainment festival."

Hollywood-based Jim Chabin of 3D Partners Ltd. is executive producer. Sponsors include the Motion Picture Assn., NBC Universal TV Asia, Star TV India and Star Movies, as well as several Singapore government agencies.

MDA chief exec Christopher Chia, in Los Angeles for a press conference to formally announce the event, told Daily Variety, "It's about the fusion of the content of 3-D and the technology for making 3-D."

The inaugural 3DX will stress the business and technical side of 3-D, though there will be public events, and the Singapore Tourism Board hopes consumer attendance will grow over time.

Event organizers are lining up speakers and other content but have confirmed screenings of two 3-D features that were developed under the New Line banner: "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D," a live-action digital film set for July release in the U.S., and "Fly Me to the Moon," a CG-animated movie from nWave Pictures out of Belgium.

Organizers also expect to screen "U23D," which has not yet been seen in 3-D in the region. "Journey 3-D" producer Charlotte Huggins and "Fly" helmer Ben Stassen have committed to attend as speakers.

3DX is the second high-tech-oriented entertainment conference launching in Singapore late this year. Siggraph Asia will bow Dec. 10-13."

By David S. Cohen, Variety