In line with its commitment to championing local storytelling, the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) returns for its 36th edition, showcasing more than 30 feature and short films by Singaporean filmmakers and co-productions.

Happening from Nov. 26 to Dec. 7, 2025, this year’s SGIFF is both a celebration and a call to action. It’s a reminder that stories must be told, communities must gather, and art must thrive, even in uncertain times. For over three decades, the festival has been a cultural anchor for Singapore and the region, spotlighting bold voices, nurturing emerging talent, and uniting film lovers. Through the SGIFF Film Fund, supported by private donations and festival resources, it continues to invest in Singaporean and regional filmmakers, helping bring meaningful stories from script to screen.

This year, the festival has doubled its local short film selection, 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. Overall, this year’s celebrations will showcase more than 110 films from over 45 countries, underscoring the enduring importance of creative expression, with Singapore stories taking center stage.

“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,” said Thong Kay Wee, SGIFF Program Director. “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.”

Film Highlights

The 35th SGIFF showcases a lineup of world premieres that highlight the resilience and spirit of local communities.

Some of the films spotlighting this theme include “Sandbox,” starring Benjamin Kheng, Nathan Hartono, and Oon Shu An — a heartfelt comedy about a struggling stunt training school fighting to stay afloat, and a powerful allegory for the challenges facing Singapore’s creative industries.

The documentary “At Home with Work” offers a thoughtful look at home-based businesses, capturing the grit and determination of everyday Singaporeans navigating tough commercial realities.

Also in the lineup is actor Qi Yuwu’s debut short film “Cendol,” starring Sharon Au as an award-winning designer who returns home to reconnect with her mother; “Coda,” which follows 42 non-professional singers reuniting under conductor Nelson Kwei to compete internationally after nearly two decades; and “10s Across the Borders,” directed by Chan Sze-Wei, which shines a light on pioneering figures of Southeast Asia’s ballroom scene, celebrating the artistry and resilience of queer and trans communities that have flourished despite prejudice and rejection.

Opening the festival’s Singapore Panorama section is “The Old Man and His Car,” which stars veteran actors Lim Kay Tong and Richard Low in a story of a retired widower who finds an unexpected connection in the face of bereavement. This film is also set for a world premiere at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival.

Audiences will also have the opportunity to screen a piece of cinematic history: the 1970s adaptation of "Dream of the Red Chamber” set in Singapore by the late Taiwanese filmmaker Chiu Kang-chien. The film is 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 being firmly rooted in local and regional stories. The full program lineup and ticket information will be unveiled on Oct. 24, 2025 at 12 PM. SGIFF 2025 is part of the Singapore Media Festival 2025 hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

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