Ilo Ilo

Born in 1984 in Singapore, Anthony Chen enrolled in Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Film and Media Studies at 17 to pursue his passion for filmmaking. He graduated from film school with his graduation film, G-23, which screened at multiple festivals worldwide and won awards in Europe and Asia. His second short film, Ah Ma (Grandma), was nominated for the Palme d’Or for Short Film at the 60th Cannes Film Festival and was awarded a Special Mention, the first time a Singapore film was awarded at Cannes. Haze (2008), his following short screened in competition at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival.
In 2009, the National Arts Council of Singapore accorded him the Young Artist Award. In 2010, he completed his Master's in Film Directing at the National Film and Television School, UK, with a scholarship from the Media Development Authority of Singapore. Anthony now works between London and Singapore. Ilo Ilo marks his feature film debut after eight short films.