The Violinist, Singapore’s first animated historical epic and one of its most ambitious feature film productions to date, was unveiled to the local press this morning at a special preview event held at PIXEL, with support from the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

The animated feature film has been eight years in the making and is the long-awaited expansion of filmmaker Ervin Han’s celebrated SG50 short film The Violin, which won Best 2D Animated Programme at the Asian Television Awards in 2017. Now ten years on, the film is almost complete, and marks a timely gift to mark Singapore’s ever expanding film scene.

Set against the backdrop of colonial Singapore, the Japanese Occupation, and the turbulent post-war decades, The Violinist follows the life of Fei, a gifted Peranakan violinist, as she searches for her childhood friend and musical soulmate, Kai, who vanished during the war. As her music matures across the years, so too does her journey — one marked by grief, memory, and enduring hope.

The voice cast includes veteran Singaporean actress Tan Kheng Hua (The Tiger’s Apprentice, Crazy Rich Asians, Kung Fu), Adrian Pang (Spy Game, Panda Bear in Africa), Ayden Sng (All That Glitters, Loving You), Kazuya Tanabe (Tokyo Vice, Kate), and rising star Fang Rong (Silent Walls, Fried Rice Paradise).

Tan reflected on her role and the significance of participating in a local animated film: “Whether a first-time full-length animation from Singapore or a Paramount+ show with Michelle Yeoh, I’ve always chosen work that speaks to my heart,” she said. “My dream was never Hollywood. It was always to work with purpose and meaning, and this is part of the richness of my life.”

“It’s so important to support the work you believe in, not just when it’s polished, but when it’s still finding its way. I’ve always been drawn to projects that speak to the heart, whether it was an English-language drama here in Singapore where none of us knew exactly what we were doing, or now with The Violinist, where we’re all in the mud together trying to build something new,” she adds. “We need to stop thinking about saving ourselves and start thinking about how we can lift each other up. That’s how we grow stronger as an industry, as artists and as a community.”

The film is co-written and co-directed by Ervin Han and co-directed by veteran ex-Disney animator Raul Garcia. It features an original score by Golden Horse Award-winning composer Ricky Ho. “This film is a tribute to a generation shaped by history and resilience,” said Han. “I wanted to tell a story that lives in the space between history and imagination – one that honours the people who endured and the quiet courage that history often overlooks.”

Speaking about the decision to use animation, Han explained: “We needed the lyrical quality that animation provides, especially for a music-based story. Animation can be emotionally truthful, sometimes even more so than realism. Old Disney masters had a phrase – ‘animation is the illusion of life.’ And that’s such a beautiful way to express what animation is – an illusion, but the emotions are real.”

“Ultimately, we’re building something from the ground up with heart and a very Singaporean voice. Animation doesn’t have to be perfect; if the emotions are honest, that’s what people carry with them. That’s what we’ve tried to do. We don’t have a huge 2D animation industry here, so it’s taken years of collaboration, training, and trust across time zones, cultures, and disciplines. But I believe Singaporeans will embrace it, because this is our story, told our way.”

The Violinist is an official co-production between Singapore (Robot Playground Media), Spain (TV ON Producciones), and Italy (Altri Occhi), and brings together an expansive international team of producers, artists and partners from Japan, Canada, Colombia, and Taiwan. The production is supported by local and international investors such as Singapore’s Little Green White and Japan’s Throne Inc., and represents an unprecedented collaboration in Singapore’s animation industry with international partners and production entities.

“This is a Singapore story told on a global canvas,” said producer Justin Deimen. “It shows that our stories, when told with heart and craft, can travel and connect both at home and abroad. For us, it marks a meaningful step forward for Singapore animation on the world stage.”

Tan Kheng Hua also highlighted the deeper collaboration involved in voice acting for animation: “When people voice animation, you are in a room alone where you’re not talking to each other. But when Fang Rong and I read together as the younger and older versions of Fei, I immediately felt a bond. That connection helped me embody the same character across time, and it made all the difference.” She added: “Fang Rong is someone whose vibe I’ve always been drawn to, she’s humble, true to herself, and that truthfulness is everything as an actor.”

The film was presented in June at the prestigious Work In Progress showcase of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival – the world’s premier event for animation. France TV Distribution officially launched global sales at the Cannes Film Market this past May and is representing the film internationally (excluding Singapore, Malaysia and Spain).

“The Violinist film is a breakthrough for Singapore storytelling – it is the first time our history has been brought to life through animation in a way that has captured global interest,” said Don Chen, Director of SFC and Senior Principal Consultant at IMDA. “Through works like these, we are not just creating entertainment – we are crafting films that carry our identity and touch hearts worldwide.”

Han noted the importance of releasing the film thoughtfully: “With the 80th anniversary of the end of the Occupation and all the SG60 celebrations it may be good to release it next year when things quieten down. We really want to give the story the space to grow and invite dialogue. Animation doesn’t need to be perfectly ‘real’; if the emotions are true, people will remember. That’s what matters to me.”

Tan adds a heartfelt reflection on being part of the project: “I’ve never chased fame or celebrity. All the projects I say yes to, from Phua Chu Kang to The Violinist, they are meaningful to me. Whether commercial or indie, we must applaud the process. It all starts somewhere, and I’m proud to be part of this.”

“We’re a studio that likes to tell local stories, universal stories,” added Han. “Everything in our studio’s book has Singapore as the backdrop. This film continues that journey, a year out from Annecy, and with SG60 on the horizon, it’s the right time.”

The Violinist is currently in production and slated for completion in March 2026, with a theatrical release in Singapore targeted for August 2026. The producers are actively welcoming commercial partners, patrons, and sponsors to support this groundbreaking local work with global aspirations. Find out more on Robot Playground’s website