The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is set to honor Bollywood star Aamir Khan with its Screen Icon Award during its 37th edition. The festival kicks off with the Asian premiere of South Korean thriller “The Assassin(s),” directed by Hur Jin-ho and featuring Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho. Hur and supporting cast members Shim Eun-kyung and Park Sung-hoon will attend the opening ceremony.
In addition to Khan’s recognition, the festival will award its Cinema Honorary Award—its highest honor for lasting contributions to Asian cinema—to Japanese filmmaker Kore-eda Hirokazu. His film “Look Back” will be screened as part of the program.
SGIFF executive director Jeremy Chua emphasized the edition’s focus on showcasing some of Asia’s most respected talents and consequential works. He highlighted new initiatives including an intuitive ticketing platform, an expanded industry program transformed into a resource center, and a free-to-attend section exploring the intersection of creativity and technology.
The festival’s “In Conversation With” dialogue series will feature Shim Eun-kyung, filmmaker Peter Chan Ho-sun, and Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong in a post-screening discussion tied to Wong’s first acting role in “My Name Ain’t Suzie.” Korean New Wave director Yim Soon-rye will lead the jury for the Asian Feature Film Competition, alongside Fukada Koji, cinematographers Ashizawa Akiko and Tom Harari, and director Jacob Cheung.
More than 25 Singapore productions and co-productions are spotlighted, many of which have gained recognition at major festivals such as Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Venice, and Melbourne. Notable achievements include Ong Xuan Jing winning best actress at the Hong Kong International Film Festival’s Young Cinema Competition for “Ah Girl,” and director Ang Geck Geck receiving the Youth Jury Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Other featured works include Nelson Yeo’s “The House on the Moon,” which premiered in competition at Locarno, and Tan Si En’s co-production of “Nagi Notes,” which debuted at Cannes.
SGIFF program director Thong Kay Wee noted that Singapore’s film industry is enjoying hard-earned global recognition, with many filmmakers benefiting from SGIFF mentorships early in their careers.
The SGIFF Film Fund returns after a hiatus, now under the Tan Ean Kiam Foundation-SGIFF banner. SEA-Doc will support feature documentaries in late edit or finishing stages, while SEA-Shorts continues backing emerging Southeast Asian filmmakers. Applications for both grants run from November 5 to December 5.
New additions include the Junior Explorers section with sensory-friendly screenings for younger audiences, opening with stop-motion feature “Brave Cat,” and the Undercurrent section featuring live performances including Taiwanese puppetry, video gaming art, and analog film.
SGIFF Pro introduces three new programs: Parallax, a free public initiative on filmmaking and immersive technology; Off Campus, connecting students with industry exposure; and the Pitching Forum, fostering co-productions between Singapore and international partners.
The festival, supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), runs from October 21 to November 1.
Another icon award for Aamir? I wonder if the festival is prioritizing star power over emerging voices this year.
Great to see so many Singapore productions highlighted. Our local filmmakers are truly hitting the global circuit now.
Hur Jin-ho’s thriller is a strong opener, but I’m more excited to see if Kore-eda’s ‘Look Back’ will screen here.
Aamir Khan finally getting the Screen Icon award feels well-deserved. The SGIFF really knows how to pick its talent.