Nine film-makers received $250,000 each to direct their feature films. In addition, they will also have their films distributed by cinema chain Golden Village Pictures.

They include award-winning short film directors such as Boo Junfeng, Chai Yee Wei, Ellery Ngiam, Wee Li Lin, Yong Mun Chee, actor Alaric Tay, stage and television veteran T T Dhavamanni, as well as new faces Mika G. Yamaji and Chen-Hsi Wong.

The award is aimed at encouraging emerging talents and Wee is the only one to have ever made a feature film, Gone Shopping (2007).

Wong said: 'It is a start and hopefully getting the initial funding will allow the film to get off the ground. For first-time directors, it is pretty difficult to get funding so this is very, very encouraging.'

Agreeing, Yamaji said: 'There are very few avenues for first-timers to get funding so I am very grateful for the opportunity.'

Wee sees the award as an acknowledgement of her abilities. The vindication is particularly sweet as Gone Shopping, which cost $650,000 and made $31,000 at the box office, did not receive SFC funding.

'From my experience, corporate sponsors like to ask if the SFC is involved and it does affect their mindset,' she added.

The fund is a new one announced by new director Kenneth Tan in June at the 10th anniversary of the Commission.

Mr Tan said: 'The final nine stood out because they presented a balanced slate of genres - ranging from comedy to drama and social commentary, and touching on the supernatural, horror and crime.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times' Life!