Singapore International Film Festival 2025 opens with record ticket sales

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Singapore International Film Festival 2025 opens with record ticket sales

Writer: Heidi Hsia

The cast of "Girl" opens the 36th Singapore International Film Festival

27 Nov - The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) kicked off in spectacular fashion last night at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, with the Singapore premiere of "Girl", the highly anticipated directorial debut by international star Shu Qi.

The night glittered with star power as Shu Qi, lead actor Bai Xiao-Ying and actor-singer 9m88 made their entrance to rousing cheers from fans and photographers. They were joined by Mediacorp Artiste and Festival Ambassador, Rebecca Lim, and Guest of Honour, Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, who officially opened the festival.

Festival Ambassador Rebecca Lim and actress-director Shu Qi on the red carpet

Adding to the glamour were familiar faces from Singapore's screen industry, including Chin Han, Tan Kheng Hua, Lim Kay Tong, Hong Hui Fang, Jack Neo, Qi Yuwu, Yvonne Lim, Tay Ping Hui, Jeanette Aw, Lim Yu Beng, Irene Ang, Nathan Hartono and Benjamin Kheng. Together, they transformed Sands Theatre into a dazzling celebration of cinema.

Rebecca Lim, Jernelle Oh and Kenneth Chung seen at the screening

Said Rebecca Lim, "I am thrilled that the Singapore International Film Festival is here again. It is my second year involved as ambassador and I am so excited with the lineup that we have this year. Response from the public has been very encouraging as well and I am looking forward for Singaporeans to experience beautiful films together. It is going to be a very fulfilling week ahead."

This year's Festival is shaping up to be its most successful yet, on track to achieve the highest box office sales in the festival's 36-year history. The number of tickets sold has surged by 52 percent compared to the same period last year, with 33 sold-out screenings to date, four times the number in 2024.

Much of the buzz has been driven by the arrival of global cinema icon Tony Leung, who will appear at a Special Presentation of the film Silent Friend. Both the screening and his "In Conversation With Tony Leung" session sold out within ten minutes of release, making them among the hottest tickets in SGIFF history.

Homegrown stories have also captured hearts, with "The Old Man and His Car" and "Sandbox" selling out within a single day. Audiences are showing immense pride and enthusiasm for local filmmakers, whose work reflects the depth and diversity of Singapore's creative landscape.

Japanese titles continue to be festival favourites, with "Kokuho", "Two Seasons Two Strangers", and "Bring Me Down to Portable Size" among the fastest-selling international films. Meanwhile, all titles connected to Shu Qi - including "Girl" and "Resurrection" - have sold out, underscoring the star's enduring influence and the incredible momentum surrounding SGIFF 2025.

"This year's response has been truly overwhelming," said Jeremy Chua, General Manager of SGIFF. "The energy we've seen from audiences emphasises the value of the collective experience of film. It has been a challenging year for the cinema landscape in Singapore, but what we are witnessing through SGIFF is proof that there is demand for cinema. This signals not only SGIFF's growing stature as a cultural touchstone, but also a renewed appetite for the collective experience of film."

The excitement continues beyond Opening Night, with a rich line-up of films and experiences that celebrate the best of local, world and regional cinema. This year's "In Conversation With" series offers unfiltered access to the people whose work has defined generations of cinema, giving audiences an inside look at the artistry, vision and humanity behind the screen.

In Conversation With Deepa Mehta - An opportunity to hear from the acclaimed filmmaker and recipient of this year's Cinema Honorary Award as she reflects on her fearless storytelling and the social impact of her films.

In Conversation With Youn Yuh-jung - Join the Oscar-winning actress and Screen Icon Award recipient for an intimate dialogue about her storied career, craft and the evolution of Asian women in cinema.

In Conversation With Chin Han - The Hollywood-based Singaporean actor shares insights from his decades-long career and the changing face of Asian representation on screen.

As SGIFF 2025 unfolds, it continues to affirm the power of film to bring people together - to move, inspire and ignite conversations that extend far beyond the screen. The event will go on until 7 December 2025.

Tickets are available for select events at sgiff.com/ticketing and via SISTIC.

Cinema Online, 27 November 2025