Golden Singa Awards Celebrates Chinese-Language Cinema in Singapore

The inaugural Golden Singa Awards concluded on December 1, 2025, at the Singapore Capitol Theatre, celebrating excellence in Chinese-language filmmaking. The event attracted notable figures from the industry, including Singapore’s Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How, and served as a highlight of the ongoing Singapore Media Festival, organized by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

During the ceremony, the film Papa (《爸爸》) emerged as the standout winner, securing a total of five prestigious awards, including Best Male Actor for Sean Lau, Best Editing, Best Original Score, Best Screenplay, and Best Director for Philip Yung. The film’s success reflects a trend towards recognizing the maturity and creativity within the Chinese-language film landscape.

A Platform for Creative Excellence

Dasmond Koh, CEO of NoonTalk Media and Organising Chair of the Golden Singa Awards, expressed his commitment to fostering regional collaboration and nurturing emerging talent. “The works recognised this year reflect the remarkable breadth and growing maturity of Chinese-language films,” he stated. “As we look to the next edition, our goal is to build on this momentum, shaping the Golden Singa Awards into a platform that champions artistic innovation.”

A distinguished nine-member jury, led by Donnie Yen, evaluated the entries across 17 categories. The panel included notable figures such as Joe Cheung, Li Shao Hong, and Vincent Fang. Their rigorous assessment ensured that the awards celebrated the highest standards of artistic and technical excellence.

Vincent Zhou, Vice Chairman of the Golden Singa Awards Committee, highlighted the importance of community within the industry, stating, “We are heartened by the support received from across the industry, and it is our aspiration to continue drawing respected practitioners and emerging voices to be part of this growing community.”

A Symbol of Asian Cinematic Excellence

A significant moment of the evening was the unveiling of the Golden Singa Awards trophy, designed by Singaporean jeweller RISIS. Crafted from matte 24-karat gold, the trophy embodies both strength and grace. It features a finely detailed lion emblem symbolizing courage and integrity, alongside a subtle Vanda Miss Joaquim Orchid, Singapore’s national flower, representing the resilience of filmmakers.

Verene Ng, CEO of RISIS, remarked on the significance of the trophy at a momentous time for the company, approaching its 50th anniversary. “Honouring visionary filmmakers and artistes, crafting this trophy is especially meaningful as RISIS approaches its 50th Jubilee next year,” she said.

The winners list showcased a range of talent and creativity, with awards spanning various categories. Notable winners included Kenji Tanigaki for Best Action Choreography in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In and Li Ruo’an as Best Rising Star for Love That Cannot Speak.

The Golden Singa Awards aims to position itself as a premier platform for recognizing outstanding achievements in the Chinese-language film industry. By fostering cross-border collaboration and engaging with audiences, the awards seek to enhance Singapore’s role as a cultural hub and a driving force in advancing the standards of filmmaking on an international scale.

For more information about the Golden Singa Awards, visit www.goldensingaawards.com.