IMDA reportedly halt Al Awda screening until May over concerns of “negative sentiments” between groups

Singapore filmmaker Jason Soo said the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will not permit any screenings of his documentary Al Awda in Singapore between February and May 2026.

The period coincides with Ramadan, Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Haji, and Israeli National Day.

In a Facebook post dated 19 March 2026, Soo said IMDA expressed concern that screenings during this time could “catalyse negative sentiments between various groups”.

Soo added that the decision was conveyed during an online meeting with the authority.

He also revealed that post-screening question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions will not be allowed for any future screenings of the film.

According to Soo, IMDA informed him that it had consulted the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) before making its decision.

IMDA cited Section 18(2) of the Films Act (2020 Revised Edition), which allows the authority to impose “any conditions that it thinks fit” on the distribution or public exhibition of a film.

Soo questions consistency of the post-screening Q&A restrictions

Soo questioned the consistency of the restrictions, noting that a Q&A session had been allowed during the film’s premiere at the Singapore International Film Festival in December 2024.

He asked why such discussions are now disallowed and whether the Films Act provision extends to banning post-screening engagements.

Soo also raised broader concerns about whether screenings and related events should be curtailed during periods deemed “sensitive”.

He argued that adult audiences should be trusted to engage responsibly, regardless of religious or commemorative dates.

In a sarcastic remark, Soo said it appeared as though new informal classifications such as “R (February), R (March), R (April)” had emerged.

He further criticised what he described as a framing of the Gaza conflict along racial or religious lines, stating that the issue involves multiple communities, including Muslims, Christians, Samaritans, and Druze.

Soo questioned whether experiencing “negative sentiments” in response to such events is inherently problematic.

TOC has written to the IMDA to seek clarification on its decision to disallow Al Awda screenings, including the evaluative framework used and the reasons for prohibiting post-screening Q&A sessions. Should IMDA respond, we will update this post.

Jason Soo under police investigation over remarks after film screening last year

In December 2025, Soo disclosed that he was under police investigation following remarks made after a public screening of Al Awda on 13 December.

He said a complaint had been lodged regarding his post-screening comments.

According to Soo, he is being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which criminalises deliberate acts intended to wound religious or racial feelings.

At the time, Soo said peaceful expression on political and humanitarian issues should not be suppressed through complaints.

He maintained that such expression should not be silenced.

About the documentary Al Awda

Al Awda, meaning “The Return”, documents a 2018 mission involving 22 activists attempting to reach Gaza by sea.

The vessel was part of an international flotilla aiming to challenge the blockade.

Among those on board was Singaporean exile Dr Ang Swee Chai. Soo was also present and filmed the journey.

The documentary uses footage that survived the vessel’s detention by the Israeli navy, capturing preparations, discussions, and the eventual interception.

The film premiered at the Singapore International Film Festival in 2024.

It was also screened on 1 March 2026 at the Foundation of the Islamic Centre of Thailand Masjid in Bangkok.