The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), part of the Singapore Media Festival (SMF) hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), is back for its 36th edition, running from 26 November to 7 December — and this year, it’s all about bold, female-driven stories and fearless global voices.
The festival kicks off at the Sands Theatre with Girl / 女孩, the award-winning directorial debut of international star Shu Qi. Set in 1980s Taipei, the film explores childhood, trauma, and resilience through the eyes of a ten-year-old girl seeking escape from her turbulent home life. Shu Qi will grace the red carpet alongside lead actor Bai Xiao-Ying and Taiwanese singer-actor 9m88, marking one of SGIFF’s most anticipated opening nights yet.
SGIFF’s 2025 theme — “Fearless storytelling, creative vision” — resonates across its lineup of over 120 films from more than 45 countries, including 30 titles by Singaporean filmmakers. From intimate documentaries to daring debuts, this year’s programme celebrates identity, resilience, and artistic risk-taking.
Celebrating women in cinema
For the first time ever, the Cinema Honorary Award will go to a female filmmaker — Oscar-nominated Indian-Canadian director Deepa Mehta, known for her iconic Elements Trilogy (Fire, Earth, Water). Mehta will also headline an In Conversation session on 5 December and be featured in a retrospective showcase titled Deepa Mehta in Focus.
The Screen Icon Award will honour South Korea’s Youn Yuh-jung, the Oscar-winning star of Minari, making her the award’s first-ever Korean recipient. Fans can catch her live at an In Conversation session on 6 December, where she’ll reflect on her five-decade career and the evolution of Asian cinema.
SGIFF’s Landmark section continues the celebration of female storytellers with restored classics by trailblazers such as Hong Kong’s T’ang Shu-shuen (The Arch), Sri Lanka’s Sumitra Peries (Gehenu Lamai), and Lebanon’s Jocelyne Saab (The Razor’s Edge).
Spotlight on Singapore cinema
Homegrown talent takes centre stage in this year’s Singapore Panorama and Southeast Asian Short Film Competition. Notable premieres include James Thoo’s mockumentary Sandbox, Adar Ng and Dave Lim’s introspective documentary At Home with Work, and Qi Yuwu’s nostalgic short Cendol. Together, these films capture the everyday resilience and creativity of Singapore’s communities.
Global voices and red carpets
The Foreground section brings cinematic flair with the world premiere of Mouly Surya’s This City Is A Battlefield (Perang Kota) — a co-production that includes Singapore — and the family-friendly animated gem Arco, co-presented with the vOilah! French Film Festival.
As SGIFF expands its reach, it’s also working with Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth to include select screenings in the SG Culture Pass scheme, making the arts more accessible to locals.
Returning as Festival Ambassador, actor Rebecca Lim shared, “Film is truly for everyone, and may SGIFF 2025 bring us even closer together.”
Tickets for the Singapore International Film Festival 2025 will be available for early bird sales starting on 27 October, 12PM with public sales officially opening on 31 October, 12PM. Festivalgoers can visit the official SGIFF website to purchase their tickets and explore a wide range of screenings, special events, and exclusive opportunities.
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