Singapore International Film Festival 2025 Unveils Exciting Lineup

The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) will return for its 36th edition from November 26 to December 7, 2025, featuring over 110 films from more than 45 countries. This year’s festival will highlight over 30 productions by Singaporean filmmakers, including both feature and short films. While the complete lineup and ticketing information will be released on October 24, early announcements have generated excitement among film enthusiasts.

Opening the festival’s Panorama section is the indie film The Old Man And His Car, starring veteran actor Lim Kay Tong. This section is dedicated to showcasing new Singaporean productions that delve into societal issues. The film tells the story of Hock, a widower facing the emotional challenge of saying goodbye to his cherished car before relocating to Canada to start anew with his son. Directed by Michael Kam, this film marks his debut as a full-length feature director and is set to premiere at the prestigious Tokyo International Film Festival.

Several other Singaporean productions will also make their world premieres at SGIFF 2025. Among them is Sandbox, a comedy that follows a struggling stunt training school as it fights for survival, featuring actors Benjamin Kheng and Nathan Hartono. Another notable entry is the documentary At Home with Work, which explores the landscape of home-based businesses. Additionally, the short film Cendol stars actress Sharon Au as a well-known designer returning home to reconnect with her mother. This film represents the directorial debut of actor Qi Yuwu.

In a statement, Jeremy Chua, general manager of SGIFF, emphasized the festival’s dual focus on celebrating cinema and ensuring the visibility of Singaporean narratives. “As much as SGIFF is about celebrating cinema, it is also about ensuring that Singaporean stories continue to be made and seen,” he stated. He noted that this year’s world premieres, along with an increase in local short film selections, underline the commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.

Chua highlighted the importance of initiatives like the SGIFF Film Fund, which supports the development and production of new works, and the expansion of public forums for discussion. “We hope to create more avenues for filmmakers to share their work and for audiences to take pride in the diversity of Singapore’s voices,” he added. With the contraction of exhibition spaces in recent years, he stressed the need to protect and grow platforms that sustain the film culture in Singapore.

The Singapore International Film Festival promises to be an enriching experience for cinephiles and a vital platform for local filmmakers. For further updates and ticketing information, interested parties can visit the official SGIFF website.