JESS TEONG

張爵西

Award-winning filmmaker, songwriter, actress, singer, screenwriter and director Jess Teong has lived and worked all over the world. Her debut feature film, THE KID FROM THE BIG APPLE, brought veteran Hong Kong action star Tommy Tam (Ti Lung) back to the big screen, and took Asia and the world by storm, moving audiences to tears with newcomer Sarah Tan’s heart-rendering performance as the little girl whose ‘walls’ between her rebellious self and the grandfather she had never met gradually and beautifully melt away. The sequel, BEFORE WE FORGET, established a new record in Singapore with a nationwide theatrical release over four continuous months and numerous sold-out screenings. Jess and her cast – both young and not-so-young – won hearts and minds as they met and interacted with families whose own bonds and love grew stronger as a result of these two uplifting movies about how a complete family truly completes the lives of everyone in and around it. Jess’ own family-centric values shine through in her work, and the inaugural Singapore Family Film Festival is honoured and delighted to have her grace our event in person to introduce and share her globally-acclaimed work.

The Kid From The Big Apple

（我来自纽约）

2016 | Malaysia | Drama/Family | English/Mandarin/Cantonese with English/Chinese Subtitles | 120 mins | PG

Director: Jess Teong

Cast: Lung Ti, Jessica Hester Hsuan, Dinesh Prabhakar, Sarah Tan

Synopsis:

THE KID FROM THE BIG APPLE was Jess Teong's feature directorial debut, and took Asia by storm with legendary action star Ti Lung's heartrending portrayal of the grandfather meeting, for the first time, his granddaughter with whom cultural, linguistic, and values-conflicted barriers all stand between a precious family bond and unresolved insecurities. Audiences around the world have been moved to tears by this amazing movie that has earned its rightful reputation as a role model story for family cohesiveness.

Awards:

• Macau International Film Festival 2015: Winner for Golden Lotus Award - Best Writing
• Malaysian Film Festival 2016: Nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Original Story and Best Costume Design

The Kid From The Big Apple 2: Before We Forget

（我来自纽约2：当我们在一起）

2017 | Malaysia | Drama/Family | English/Mandarin/Cantonese with English/Chinese Subtitles | 120 mins | PG

Director: Jess Teong

Cast: Lung Ti, Shaun Tam, Amy To, Sarah Tan

Synopsis:

BEFORE WE FORGET continues from THE KID FROM THE BIG APPLE, but can also be enjoyed on its own. Ti Lung returns as the grandfather, now closely knit with little Sarah and her mother until signs of the early onset of dementia threaten the very fabric of the family's and entire community's happiness. The goodness of humannature prevails, and all that ensues has moved glocal audiences to even more tears than director Jess Teong's previous film.

Awards:

• Macau International Film Festival 2017: Nominated for Golden Lotus Award - Best Picture
• Malaysian Film Festival 2019: Nominated for Best Child Actor/Actress - Sarah Tan