The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) lit up Marina Bay Sands last night, opening its 36th edition with the Singapore premiere of Girl, the highly anticipated directorial debut of regional icon Shu Qi.
The red carpet at Sands Theatre pulsed with excitement as fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the night’s biggest stars, kicking off 12 days of cinema, creativity and cross-cultural storytelling from 26 November to 7 December 2025.
Shu Qi arrived alongside lead actor Bai Xiao-Ying and actor-singer 9m88 to roaring applause, joined by Mediacorp artiste and Festival Ambassador Rebecca Lim, as well as Guest of Honour Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, who officiated the festival’s opening.
Familiar faces from Singapore’s film and TV world — including 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 — added to the glitz.
“I am thrilled that the Singapore International Film Festival is here again. It is my second year involved as ambassador and I am so excited with the line up that we have this year. Response from the public has been very encouraging as well and I am looking forward for Singaporeans to experience beautiful films together. It is going to be a very fulfilling week ahead,” said Festival Ambassador Rebecca Lim.
Beyond the red-carpet glamour, SGIFF’s biggest headline this year is its unprecedented audience turnout.
The festival is on track to hit its highest box office numbers in its 36-year history. Ticket sales have jumped 52% compared to the same period in 2024, with 33 sold-out screenings so far — quadruple last year’s count. The surge reflects a growing appetite for cinema in Singapore, even as the wider theatrical landscape continues to navigate challenges.
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Much of the demand is driven by the arrival of global legend Tony Leung, whose Special Presentation screening of Silent Friend — along with his “In Conversation With Tony Leung” session — sold out within ten minutes. Both have quickly become among the hottest tickets SGIFF has ever offered.
Local stories are also drawing fervent support. The Old Man and His Car and Sandbox sold out within a day, underscoring renewed pride in Singapore-made cinema. Japanese titles remain crowd favourites too, with Kokuho, Two Seasons Two Strangers and Bring Me Down to Portable Size ranking among the fastest-selling international selections.
Every title linked to Shu Qi, including Girl and Resurrection, is now fully sold out — a testament to the star’s enduring draw and SGIFF’s widening international reach.
“This year’s response has been truly overwhelming,” said Jeremy Chua, General Manager of SGIFF. “The energy we’ve seen from audiences emphasises the value of the collective experience of film. It has been a challenging year for the cinema landscape in Singapore, but what we are witnessing through SGIFF is proof that there is demand for cinema. This signals not only SGIFF’s growing stature as a cultural touchstone, but also a renewed appetite for the collective experience of film.”
SGIFF’s growing momentum is strengthened by long-standing partnerships, with Marina Bay Sands once again anchoring major festival moments.
This year’s edition presents over 120 films from more than 45 countries — including 30 Singaporean productions and co-productions — spotlighting narratives of identity, resilience and rediscovery.
