23 April 2026

‘ITAM: A Sun Bear Story’ Achieves Full House at Singapore Gala Premiere

Singapore [22 April 2026] – Brainchild Pictures is honoured to share that ITAM: A Sun Bear Story achieved a full house at its gala premiere on 22 April 2026 Wednesday (Earth Day) at Golden Village Suntec City, Singapore.

(From left to right) Ms Syuhada Adnan (Counsellor for High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore), Ms Wendy Clare Stephen (Managing Director, STTOS), Mdm Norliza Mohd Zain (Director for Tourism Malaysia Singapore), Mr. Kenneth Tan (Chairman of Singapore Film Society), Mr. Raymond Tan (Film Director of ITAM: A Sun Bear Story), Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board), Dr. Wong Siew Te (Founder of Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre), Mr. Baki Zainal (Film Narrator), Mr Roger Tan (Emcee)

The premiere welcomed a diverse audience comprising educators, media, members of the public, international students and expatriates, reflecting the film’s broad and growing appeal across regional and global communities.

We were privileged to have Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah and Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, in attendance. His presence underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting conservation, eco-tourism and sustainable development in Sabah.

Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah, and Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board

Initial audience response has been deeply encouraging. Many viewers connected strongly with Itam’s emotional journey, from rescue and rehabilitation to her anticipated return to the wild, as well as the broader conservation efforts led by the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sandakan

Raymond Tan, Director of ITAM: A Sun Bear Story, said, “This film was never meant to be just a documentary, it is a voice for a species that cannot speak for itself. Through Itam’s journey, we hope audiences will not only feel her story, but also recognise that conservation must go hand in hand with education if we are to protect our biodiversity for future generations.”

Mr. Raymond Tan, Film Director of ITAM: A Sun Bear Story

The film continues to serve as a platform not only to tell a powerful story, but also to spotlight Sabah’s commitment to nature-based and sustainable tourism. As highlighted during the event, Singapore remains a key gateway market, playing a vital role in connecting international audiences, particularly long-haul travellers, to Sabah’s unique biodiversity and eco-tourism offerings

At its core, ITAM: A Sun Bear Story is a trilingual documentary (English, Malay and Mandarin) that reflects our commitment to making conservation stories accessible to wider audiences. The film chronicles the remarkable journey of Itam, a rescued sun bear undergoing rehabilitation and rewilding, a narrative that embodies resilience, education and the urgent need to protect one of the world’s least-studied bear species.

Gala premiere of ITAM: A Sun Bear Story in Golden Village Suntec City Singapore

Following the screening, an engaging post-show dialogue was held, where students and audience members actively participated, raising thoughtful questions on wildlife conservation and the ecological importance of sun bears.

With the strong reception in Singapore, ITAM: A Sun Bear Story will continue its screening run for an extended time, with upcoming releases planned for Malaysia and China as we expand our outreach and impact.