At The Red Carpet Before The Gala Premiere
L to R: Co-Director Ervin Han, Executive Producer Leonard Lai, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Mr Tan Kiat How, Executive Producer Takafumi Yuki, Guest of Honour Minister for Digital Development and Information Mrs Josephine Teo, Executive Producer Paloma Mora, Executive Producer Justin Deimen, Chief Executive of IMDA Ng Cher Pong, Executive Producer Alexandra Croitoriu, Co-Director Raul Garcia, Executive Producer Rocio Ayuso
Following its Singapore Gala Premiere at Capitol Theatre on 3 September, award-winning animated feature
The Violinist (沧海琴声) is set to reach an even wider local audience. Originally produced in English, the film will
also be available in Mandarin, with
both versions set to screen in cinemas on 17 September 2026. The Violinist is supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
The Mandarin version features Singaporean talent including award-winning host and actor
Guo Liang as war hero Lim Bo Seng, alongside
Ayden Sng and
Fang Rong, who reprise their respective roles in Mandarin after voicing the same characters in the English version.
The film celebrated its Singapore homecoming at the Gala Premiere on 3 September, bringing together members of the creative team, voice actors, industry partners, and guests from Singapore’s arts and cultural community at Capitol Theatre. Voice actors
Ayden Sng, Fang Rong, Tan Kheng Hua, Adrian Pang, and Japanese actor
Kazuya Tanabe were among those in attendance, alongside the film’s musical composer
Ricky Ho and lead violinist
Joy Yong, and members of the film’s production and creative team.
Making the film available in both languages extends its Singapore homecoming to audiences across generations and cultures, bringing its story of music, memory, friendship and resilience to the big screen.
Ervin Han, Co-Director and Co-Writer of The Violinist, said,
“It was incredibly meaningful to finally bring The Violinist home and share it with audiences in Singapore at the Gala Premiere. This is a story that draws deeply from the history, memories and communities of this region, and I’m especially pleased that audiences here will be able to experience it in both English and Mandarin. I hope that gives even more Singaporeans a way to connect with the story, its characters and its music.”
The film returns to Singapore following a landmark international festival journey. At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026, The Violinist became the first Singapore-led animated feature to receive the Cristal for a Feature Film, the festival’s highest honour. It also received the SACEM Award for Best Original Soundtrack in a Feature Film.
Following its historic wins at Annecy, The Violinist was selected for the Centrepiece programme at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and will continue its festival journey at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea, as the film continues to bring a story shaped by Singapore and Southeast Asian history to audiences worldwide.
Guo Liang, Mandarin voice of Lim Bo Seng, said:
“Lim Bo Seng is a name that holds great significance in Singapore’s history, so taking on his voice came with a strong sense of responsibility. I hope the Mandarin version allows more audiences, especially families and younger viewers, to connect with this chapter of our history and with the courage and sacrifices of those who came before us.”
Ayden Sng, English and Mandarin voice of Kai, said:
“What drew me to The Violinist was how personal and emotional the story feels despite being set against such a significant period in our history. It is exciting to be part of a Singapore-led animated feature that brings our stories to audiences here at home and around the world.”
Fang Rong, English and Mandarin voice of Fei, said:
“Being part of The Violinist gave me the opportunity to experience this story in a different way. I hope having the film available in both English and Mandarin makes it possible for even more Singaporeans to connect with its characters, emotions and history."
The Violinist is a Singapore-Spain-Italy co-production by Robot Playground Media, TV ON Producciones and Altri Occhi, directed by Ervin Han and Raúl García.
A special screening event of the Mandarin version of The Violinist (沧海琴声) will be held on 12 September 2026 at 2pm at Sands Theatre, organised by SPH Media’s Chinese Media Group.
The film is also eligible for SG Culture Pass redemption, allowing eligible Singapore Citizens to use their SG Culture Pass credits towards ticket purchases.
Audiences in Singapore can catch The Violinist in both English and Mandarin in Singapore cinemas from 17 September 2026 with sneak previews at selected cinemas from 11 to 13 September.