The Singapore Global Film Festival launched its Thirty sixth edition with world critical particular person Shu Qi‘s first characteristic as director, marking the occasion’s most a hit opening in its historical past.
The competition opened on Nov. 26 at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, with Shu Qi’s “Lady,” a semi-autobiographical drama dwelling in 1980s Taipei. The director attended alongside lead actor Bai Xiao-Ying and actor-singer 9m88, becoming a member of competition ambassador Rebecca Lim and guest of honor Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Building and Files.
Imprint sales surged 52% compared with the same period final year, with 33 provided-out screenings to this level — four times the number from 2024. The competition is heading within the correct direction to compose the very ideal field place of job sales in its 36-year historical past.
Well-liked on Selection
Valuable of the fun centered on Hong Kong cinema icon Tony Leung’s appearance at a habitual presentation of “Soundless Friend.” Each that screening and his “In Conversation With Tony Leung” session provided out within 10 minutes of tickets going on sale, ranking amongst the most well-liked tickets in SGIFF historical past.
Local productions also drew trusty hobby. Singaporean motion photography “The Dilapidated Man and His Automobile” and “Sandbox” provided out within a day. Eastern titles in conjunction with “Kokuho,” “Two Seasons Two Strangers” and “Utter Me The total procedure down to Transportable Dimension” were amongst the fastest-promoting world motion photography. All titles related to Shu Qi, in conjunction with “Lady” and “Resurrection,” enjoy provided out.
“This year’s response has been in actual fact overwhelming,” said Jeremy Chua, general supervisor of SGIFF. “The vitality we’ve viewed from audiences emphasizes the cost of the collective trip of movie. It has been a anxious year for the cinema panorama in Singapore, however what we are witnessing by technique of SGIFF is proof that there’s quiz for cinema.”
The competition runs by technique of Dec. 7, showcasing over 120 motion photography from bigger than forty five countries, in conjunction with over 30 made-in-Singapore productions and co-productions. The lineup specializes in experiences of identity, resilience and rediscovery.
This year’s “In Conversation With” sequence facets filmmaker Deepa Mehta, recipient of the Cinema Honorary Award; Oscar-a hit actor Youn Yuh-jung, who receives the Veil Icon Award; and Hollywood-based mostly utterly mostly Singaporean actor Chin Han.
Marina Bay Sands continues its partnership with the competition, web web hosting the outlet movie and two “In Conversation With” sessions. Paul Metropolis, chief working officer of Marina Bay Sands, said the built-in resort’s venues present an very ideal setting for celebrating art and movie.
A frequent collaborator with Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien, Shu Qi launched into filmmaking at his recommendation. “Lady” premiered at Venice and received her the easiest director award at Busan Global Film Festival. The movie follows 10-year-outdated Hsiao-lee in 1980s Taipei as she navigates domestic dysfunction and forms a friendship with a precocious transfer student.
As an actor, Shu Qi has looked in over 90 motion photography, in conjunction with three collaborations with Hou: “The Assassin,” “Millennium Mambo” and “Three Times.” She has received two Golden Horse Awards and three Hong Kong Film Awards.
The gap night red carpet drew prominent figures from Singapore’s entertainment change, in conjunction with 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.
The Singapore Global Film Festival is fraction of the Singapore Media Festival 2025, hosted by the Infocomm Media Building Authority.