36th SGIFF champions local voices amid a transforming cultural landscape

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36th SGIFF champions local voices amid a transforming cultural landscape

Writer: Heidi Hsia

Don't miss the 36th edition of the Singapore Int'l Film Fest

9 Oct - The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), which is part of the Singapore Media Festival 2025 hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), returns for its 36th edition from 26 November to 7 December 2025.

Deepening its commitment to local storytelling, SGIFF 2025 will present more than 30 feature and short films by Singaporean filmmakers and co-productions. Notably, the festival has doubled its local short film selection compared to last year, showcasing a total of 28 works across the Southeast Asian Short Film Competition and Singapore Panorama, a section dedicated to presenting the latest Singaporean feature and short films that speak to evolving societal concerns.

SGIFF Programme Director Thong Kay Wee said, "In a time when cinema feels upended by the weight of pragmatism in Singapore, we are more determined than ever to defend it as an essential cultural offering to be experienced on the big screen. We will continue to present a smorgasbord of films that can elicit a wide range of emotions, broaden our perspectives, and inspire new imaginations of this art form that we love. Despite surviving many 'near-deaths' in its history, we will continue to demonstrate how cinema has persevered in quality and relevance, especially in today's extraordinarily difficult times."

The 36th SGIFF this year will showcase more than 110 films from over 45 countries, featuring a slate that underscores the enduring importance of creative expression, with Singapore stories taking centre stage.

Anchoring this focus are several world premieres that shine a light on the resilience of local communities.

"Sandbox", featuring Benjamin Kheng, Nathan Hartono and Oon Shu An, is a heartfelt comedy about a struggling stunt training school fighting for survival, a story that doubles as a powerful allegory for the challenges facing Singapore's creative industries.

"At Home with Work" offers a poignant documentary perspective on home-based businesses, capturing the determination of everyday Singaporeans navigating harsh commercial realities.

Actor Qi Yuwu's debut short film, "Cendol", stars Sharon Au as an award-winning designer who returns home to reconnect with her mother - a moving meditation on identity, family, and belonging.

In addition, the festival will screen "Coda", an intimate portrait of alumni choir Victoria Chorale, as 42 non-professional singers reunite under conductor Nelson Kwei to compete internationally after nearly two decades, and "10s Across the Borders", directed by Singaporean filmmaker Chan Sze-Wei, follows pioneering figures of Southeast Asia's ballroom scene, celebrating the artistry and resilience of queer and trans artists who have built inclusive communities despite prejudice and rejection.

Most of these local films will be screened as part of the festival's Singapore Panorama section. Opening this section is "The Old Man and His Car", which stars veteran actors Lim Kay Tong and Richard Low in a sensitive portrait of a retired widower who finds unexpected connection in the face of bereavement. The film is set for a world premiere at this year's Tokyo International Film Festival.

Audiences will also have the opportunity to discover a piece of cinematic history: a 1970s adaptation of "Dream of the Red Chamber" set in Singapore by the late Taiwanese filmmaker Chiu Kang-chien, presented in collaboration with and restored by the Asian Film Archive. Together, these works embody the spirit of SGIFF 2025: art that insists on joy, meaning, and solidarity, while firmly rooted in the stories of Singapore and the region.

Beyond presenting these stories, SGIFF also plays a pivotal role in helping them come to life. The SGIFF Film Fund, which draws from both private donations and the festival's own resources, invests in Singaporean and regional talent, enabling filmmakers to bring important narratives from script to screen.

This edition of SGIFF will also be supported by public forums and discussions that will explore topics ranging from shifting audience habits toward cinema to the future of independent filmmaking. For more information, please visit sgiff.com.

SGIFF 2025 will unveil its full programme lineup, as well as ticketing information, from 12pm on 24 October.

Cinema Online, 09 October 2025