Exciting Updates for the Singapore International Film Festival’s 36th Edition: Open Call for All Filmmakers!
The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is making waves with its 36th edition, introducing significant changes to its renowned Asian Feature Film Competition. This year, the festival is broadening its eligibility criteria to welcome filmmakers from all stages of their careers, moving beyond the previous focus on emerging talents. The festival will take place from November 26 to December 7, 2025, as part of the Singapore Media Festival.
In a statement, organizers emphasized the festival’s dual purpose: “SGIFF is both a celebration and a call to action: stories must continue to be told, communities must gather, and art must thrive, even in uncertain times.”
To lead the jury for this prestigious competition, SGIFF has enlisted the acclaimed Argentinian director Lucrecia Martel, known for her remarkable films including “Zama,” which was featured at SGIFF in 2017. Martel will also showcase her latest work, “Nuestra Tierra” (Landmarks), in the festival’s Standpoint section, a platform dedicated to films that tackle pressing social and political themes.
Martel, born in Salta, Argentina, has had retrospectives held at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MoMA, Tate Modern, and Centre Pompidou. With multiple honorary doctorates to her name, she actively explores various artistic mediums, including art installations, television, and short films.
This year’s competition highlights the rich diversity of creative voices across the region. Among the featured films is Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s genre-defying Thai satire “A Useful Ghost,” co-produced in Singapore. The lineup also includes Chen Deming’s poignant documentary “Always,” which reflects on childhood and transformation in China. Singapore’s own Tan Siyou presents “Amoeba,” a touching coming-of-age story, while India’s Rohan Parashuram Kanawade showcases the Sundance award-winning “Cactus Pears,” a film exploring queer intimacy in rural India.
Other noteworthy entries include Iranian director Shahram Mokri’s enigmatic Tajik-language film “Black Rabbit, White Rabbit,” and Japanese comedian Yuriyan Retriever’s directorial debut, the horror-comedy “Mag Mag.” The competition further features Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit’s “Human Resource” (Thailand), Lalith Rathnayake’s “Riverstone” (Sri Lanka), Tribeny Rai’s “Shape of Momo” (India), and Sho Miyake’s “Two Seasons, Two Strangers” (Japan).
The Singapore International Film Festival is proudly supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, reflecting the nation’s commitment to fostering a vibrant arts scene. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience groundbreaking cinema that resonates with contemporary issues and diverse narratives!
