About $290,000 was raised last night in a movie screening of local director Eric Khoo's latest production, a nominee at the famed Cannes Film Festival in May this year.

The single biggest donor was JPMorgan's Private Bank, Asia, which chipped in with $50,000.

The amount raised will go towards the ST fund to help needy students in Singapore buy meals during recess time.

The movie, which opens in local cinemas today, was the first Singapore film to be nominated for the prestigious Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) award at the Cannes Film Festival. It is also the Singapore Film Commission's pick for submission to the Oscars.

Written by director Khoo and ST senior writer Wong Kim Hoh, the story revolves round a magician's relationship with his son, while grappling with issues such as alcoholism, life and magic.

Singapore Press Holdings chairman Tony Tan was at the Golden Village VivoCity to receive the cheques from Mr Paul Scibetta, chief executive of JPMorgan's Private Bank, Asia, and the film's lead actor Bosco Francis.

ST editor Han Fook Kwang said the fund, launched in 2000, was aiming for its highest target so far of giving a total of $4.4million to some 8,000 needy students. 'With the economic slowdown, we foresee more families in need and we want to do as much as we can to help,' he said.

APRIL CHONG