SGIFF 2025 breaks box office record with 44 sold-out screenings, increase in tickets sold

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SGIFF 2025 breaks box office record with 44 sold-out screenings, increase in tickets sold

Writer: Heidi Hsia

SGIFF continues to play a leading role in shaping Singapore's cultural landscape

10 Dec - The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) recently closed its 36th edition on a historic high, setting a new festival record with 44 sold-out screenings.

For the third consecutive year, SGIFF achieved a new box office record, with ticket sales rising 33 percent from 2024, and this year, the festival also saw its strongest turnout with a 28.7 percent increase in participation compared to last year, marking the festival's strongest audience attendance to date.

Across 12 days, festivalgoers embraced a vibrant programme featuring over 120 films from more than 45 countries, including world premieres, regional discoveries, and a notable line-up of over 30 Made-in-Singapore productions and co-productions.

The 2025 festival opened with Shu Qi's directorial debut "Girl", and brought together an extraordinary mix of homegrown talent and global cinematic voices, and audiences turned out in full force for screenings as well as for the festival's highly anticipated "In Conversation With" sessions.

Shu Qi appeared to speak about her directorial debut, "Girl"

Tony Leung in conversation with audience at the SGIFF

These intimate dialogues with celebrated artistes, including international icons Shu Qi and Tony Leung, as well as this year's honourees Deepa Mehta and Youn Yuh-jung, offered rare personal insight into the creative journeys of some of the most influential figures working in cinema today.

Industry Days, SGIFF's professional platform for filmmakers, producers and creatives across Asia, once again brought together industry veterans, emerging voices and international collaborators for three days of masterclasses, panels, project discussions and networking sessions designed to strengthen creative and professional dialogue.

The best-attended session of the programme was "Visionary Encounter: Matīss Kaža", featuring the co-producer and writer of "Flow", the breakout animated feature that has garnered international acclaim. His session drew a full house and resonated strongly with young filmmakers exploring new approaches to animation and hybrid storytelling.

Also drawing significant attendance were:

"Visionary Encounter: Lucrecia Martel", which included a discussion on sound, rhythm and sensory language that enriched filmmakers' understanding of cinematic form

"Visionary Encounter: Lim Giong", where the renowned composer shared his multidisciplinary approach to music, soundscapes and Asian cinematic identity

This year's turnout underscores the growing influence of Industry Days as a key regional hub for creative development, collaboration and cross-cultural exchange.

Deepa Mehta "In Conversation With" session offered festivalgoers a rare and intimate look at her trailblazing career

SGIFF 2025 concluded with the announcement of its festival award winners, recognising films and performances that pushed artistic boundaries and embodied the spirit of discovery that defines the festival. This year's honorary tributes celebrated two exceptional women whose work has shaped modern cinema. Deepa Mehta, recipient of the Cinema Honorary Award, was recognised for her fearless storytelling, transformative contributions to independent film and unwavering commitment to amplifying marginalised voices.

Youn Yuh-jung, recipient of the Screen Icon Award, was celebrated for her extraordinary career spanning more than five decades and her pioneering influence on Asian representation in global cinema.

Young Yuh-jung celebrated for extraordinary career

"When accepting her award, Youn Yuh-jung said: "I am very delighted to be here tonight. This is my very first time in Singapore and I have to say, you've given me such a wonderful gift for my first visit - this beautiful recognition. I am truly grateful and deeply honoured to receive it. With everyone coming from Asia, we share so many things in common. We can continue to share our cultures, values and even more experiences together, especially through films, because film has the power to connect us."

Beyond the honorary awards, the festival's competition categories saw an especially strong showing from Singaporean filmmakers, signalling a powerful moment of emergence for the local creative landscape. Tysha Khan won Best Performance in the Southeast Asian Short Film Competition for her compelling role in "Fruit", and was praised by the jury for navigating "the fine space between the surreal, comedic, and horrific with nuance and conviction".

Meanwhile, Nelson Yeo's "Through Your Eyes" was awarded Best Southeast Asian Short Film, with the jury commending its assured direction, evocative casting and richly textured storytelling that felt "strikingly contemporary in its exploration of timeless human yearning". Singapore's presence was also felt in the Asian Feature Film Competition. The co-production "A Useful Ghost" received a Special Mention, recognised for its "adventurous, courageous and insightful exploration of contemporary myths" and its confident interplay of genre and form.

The festival's top prize, Best Asian Feature Film, was awarded to "Always", directed by Chen Deming, with the jury praising its immersive cinematic language and emotional resonance.

In the Audience Choice category, the festivalgoers' top pick was "Coda", a debut documentary film by Singaporean filmmaker Jac Min, chronicling the Victoria Chorale's journey as they sang their way into audiences' hearts.

The win highlights the deep support that SGIFF audiences continue to show for homegrown voices, reaffirming the festival's commitment to uplifting emerging filmmakers whose stories reflect contemporary Singapore.

Cinema Online, 10 December 2025