The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) has announced its full line-up for its 36th edition, spotlighting fearless female storytellers and diverse cinematic voices from across the world.
Running from 26 November to 7 December 2025, the festival will showcase over 120 films from more than 45 countries, exploring themes of identity, resilience and self-discovery.
This year’s opening film is Girl / 女孩, the award-winning directorial debut of international star Shu Qi, who will attend the screening alongside lead actor Bai Xiao-Ying and actor-singer 9m88. The Taiwanese filmmaker and actor will also appear in Bi Gan’s Resurrection / 狂野时代 under the festival’s Undercurrent section, and join Festival Ambassador Rebecca Lim for an In Conversation session on 27 November.
Read more: ‘Stranger Eyes,’ Yeo Siew Hua’s Film On Surveillance, Is Singapore’s Oscar Submission
“I am humbled and immensely honoured to be appointed as Festival Ambassador of SGIFF once again,” said Lim. “My first experience last year was a huge eye-opener. I was exposed to so many wonderful and inspiring films and individuals, and I learnt so much along the way. I was especially inspired by filmmakers who, against all odds — even at the risk of their lives — chose to tell their stories.”
“Their courage has given me more strength to be truthfully myself. I hope to continue shedding light on films that not only carry important messages we need to hear, but also those that can brighten your day. Film is truly for everyone, and may SGIFF 2025 bring us even closer together.”
At the heart of this year’s edition is a strong local showing — with more than 30 feature and short films by Singaporean filmmakers and co-producers. The festival’s local short film selection has doubled compared to last year, with highlights including Sandbox, At Home with Work and Cendol, which capture Singapore’s evolving social landscape and creative spirit.
Programme Director Thong Kay Wee said, “At its heart, the film offers an intimate, autobiographical perspective, capturing the teenage struggles of living and surviving in a hostile adult world, while examining questions of identity, resilience and self-discovery. As a powerful gateway into the festival’s wider slate, Girl / 女孩 invites audiences to connect personally with films that do not shy away from difficult, challenging topics, while reaffirming the festival’s commitment to programming works that embrace raw, human and authentic storytelling.”
Honouring Asian Trailblazers
SGIFF will present its Cinema Honorary Award to Oscar-nominated filmmaker Deepa Mehta, marking the first time a female filmmaker receives the accolade. The award recognises exceptional and enduring contributions to Asian cinema.
“I am pleased to receive the Cinema Honorary Award from the Singapore International Film Festival,” said Mehta. “Previous recipients of this accolade include filmmakers I really admire, and it is meaningful to be counted among them. We are living in uncertain times, where the general mantra in the geopolitical world, especially in art institutions, reverberates with what is politically correct.”
“This vulnerability of the arts makes those of us involved in the creation and preservation of cinema more alert than ever as to the importance of our unique voices, ensuring they are not diluted by autocratic demands.”
“Having the chance to look back as Fire turns 30 has been a privilege, and it is so nice that SGIFF will be including the whole trilogy, as well as Funny Boy, in this year’s programming. I look forward to having the chance to watch them again with SGIFF audiences. I do not make films with any agenda; I simply want to tell stories. And I am pleased that those stories continue to resonate and find new audiences, even decades later. I hope you can join me at SGIFF.”
Read more: ‘Minari’ Oscar Winner Youn Yuh-jung Joins ‘Beef’ Season 2
The Screen Icon Award, which celebrates outstanding Asian actors, will go to Youn Yuh-jung, making her the first South Korean recipient of the honour. The Oscar-winning actress, known for her iconic role in Minari (2020), will take part in an In Conversation session on 6 December.
Spotlight on Women and Regional Voices
The festival’s female-driven Landmark section will shine a light on stories that challenge social conventions, featuring restored classics such as The Arch (1968) by Hong Kong’s T’ang Shushuen, Gehenu Lamai (The Girls) (1978) by Sri Lanka’s Sumitra Peries, and The Razor’s Edge (1985) by Lebanon’s Jocelyne Saab.
SGIFF also welcomes Argentinian filmmaker Lucrecia Martel as Jury Head of this year’s Asian Feature Film Competition, which has expanded to include filmmakers at all career stages. The competition line-up includes A Useful Ghost by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke (Thailand), Always by Chen Deming (China), Amoeba by Tan Siyou (Singapore) and Cactus Pears by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade (India).
Beyond its arthouse leanings, SGIFF’s Foreground section will celebrate genre cinema, including a red-carpet screening of This City Is A Battlefield (Perang Kota) by Indonesian filmmaker Mouly Surya. The section will open with Arco, a hand-drawn animated feature co-presented with the vOilah! French Film Festival.
Expanding Cinema’s Reach
SGIFF is in talks with Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth to include local film programmes under the SG Culture Pass, a nationwide initiative to increase access to arts and heritage experiences. The festival’s Industry Days will also return following its successful debut last year, providing a platform for regional filmmakers to collaborate and exchange ideas.
Through its bold slate of films, commitment to female voices and continued investment in nurturing Southeast Asian talent, SGIFF 2025 continues to redefine cinema as a space for connection, creativity and cultural dialogue across Singapore and the region.
SGIFF is part of the Singapore Media Festival (SMF), hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
Early bird ticket sales open 27 October at 12PM, with public sales beginning 31 October at 12PM.
