Malay-language film “Sayang Disayang” has been selected by Singapore as its contender for foreign-language Academy Awards contention, Variety reveals.

The film, about a migrant domestic helper, a nurse and the old man they look after, is the debut feature of Sanif Olek, who heads the independent film and TV consultancy Reeljuice.

The selection was made by the Singapore Film Commission.

Made on a budget of US$315,000 (S$400,000) “Sayang Disayang” had its premiere as the closing film of the Southeast Asian Film Festival in Singapore in May.

Olek self-released the film for a week at a single screen theater in August. A commercial distributor has not been attached and wider local release has yet to be finalized.

In 2013 Singapore selected the Chinese and English-language “Ilo Ilo.”