Disney to Shut Lucasfilm Studio in Singapore

A sign is shown at one of the entrances to Disney Studios in Burbank, California, US, July 25, 2023. (Reuters)
A sign is shown at one of the entrances to Disney Studios in Burbank, California, US, July 25, 2023. (Reuters)
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Disney to Shut Lucasfilm Studio in Singapore

A sign is shown at one of the entrances to Disney Studios in Burbank, California, US, July 25, 2023. (Reuters)
A sign is shown at one of the entrances to Disney Studios in Burbank, California, US, July 25, 2023. (Reuters)

Lucasfilm's visual effects and animation studio in Singapore will close down in the coming months due to economic reasons, parent firm Disney said on Tuesday.

The Singapore studio was set up in the 2000s by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), which was founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas and is a division of Lucasfilm.

For years, its home in Singapore was the striking Sandcrawler building, named after the Star Wars transport that inspired its design. Lucasfilm sold the building in 2021.

"Over the next several months, ILM will be consolidating its global footprint and winding down its Singapore studio due to economic factors affecting the industry," Disney said in a statement.

It did not say how many employees will be affected in Singapore.

Disney said in February it was cutting 7,000 jobs worldwide -- part of a reorganization as its traditional television business erodes and in the face of stiff competition and eroding subscriber numbers for its streaming service, Disney+.

"Lucasfilm's decision to wind down its Singapore operations is in response to changes in the industry and business conditions," Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) said in a joint statement.

"The global media industry is facing disruption from rapid technological advancements, while studios are coping with challenges relating to talent and profitability."

The Singapore studio was involved in high-profile Hollywood productions including "Iron Man", "The Avengers" and Star Wars films, according to the EDB's website.



Red Sea International Film Festival Sets Dates for 2025 Edition

Red Sea International Film Festival Sets Dates for 2025 Edition
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Red Sea International Film Festival Sets Dates for 2025 Edition

Red Sea International Film Festival Sets Dates for 2025 Edition

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) announced that its fifth edition will take place from December 4 to 13 at Jeddah’s historic Al Balad district.

This edition marks a significant milestone in the festival’s journey, celebrating its fifth anniversary and solidifying its reputation for supporting cinematic excellence, inspiring creativity, and empowering filmmakers in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

This success has reinforced the Red Sea International Film Festival’s position as a leading cultural and cinematic event at both regional and international levels.

The previous edition recorded the highest attendance in the festival’s history, with over 40,000 attendees, including nearly 7,000 registered guests.

A total of 122 films from 85 countries were screened, including 61 world premieres, underscoring the festival’s growing influence.