Celebrating the return of Jafar Panahi at the Singapore International Film Festival

The 35th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is ‌set‍ to be a landmark⁢ event, featuring the return of Iranian cinema icon Jafar ‍Panahi after a 14-year travel ban. This year’s festival promises a rich lineup that highlights both emerging⁤ Singaporean talent and renowned international auteurs.

A grand opening with “Stranger Eyes”

The festival will kick off⁣ with‍ Yeo Siew Hua’s “Stranger Eyes,” marking the first time a Singaporean film has premiered in the main⁤ competition at the Venice Film Festival. This film delves into the lives of a couple dealing with their child’s disappearance and the eerie arrival of mysterious DVDs documenting ⁤their ⁤private ​moments. Yeo expressed his gratitude, stating, “SGIFF has been really important for me throughout ⁢my career as a filmmaker,⁣ having shown all my films here since my very first. It is a real honor for me to have my film open for this edition of the festival.”

Honoring⁤ Jafar Panahi

Panahi ⁤will be honored with the ​ Cinema Honorary Award, recognizing his exceptional and enduring contributions to Asian cinema. He will also participate in an ⁢exclusive dialogue session, and‌ several of his films, including “The Circle” and “This Is Not a Film,” will be screened. Panahi shared his​ excitement, saying, “It’s an incredible‍ honor to be selected as‌ the recipient of the Cinema Honorary ⁤Award by SGIFF. Since my visit to the festival in 1998 with my film, ⁢‘The Mirror,’ I have been ⁣deeply⁣ impressed by the festival’s achievements in nurturing⁤ and‍ encouraging emerging filmmakers and​ film critics, while promoting Asian filmmaking.”

New initiatives under new leadership

Under the leadership of new general ⁢manager Jeremy Chua, the festival introduces several new initiatives. One of the most notable is the ‍debut of Mediacorp Artiste Rebecca Lim ‍ as the inaugural festival ambassador. Lim expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “As a⁣ huge supporter of Singaporean films, I’m thrilled to be part of SGIFF as ‍its inaugural ambassador. ⁤Our local creatives possess a unique ability to capture⁤ the essence of not just our⁣ everyday reality, but also our dreams and aspirations.”

Chua, a prolific producer whose ⁢films are regularly selected at A-list festivals, including Cannes, added, ‌”We envision ‍her role as the festival’s ambassador to deepen the conversation between local and international audiences, and together we aim to ‍shine a spotlight on our extraordinary homegrown talents.”

Spotlight on Singaporean‍ cinema

This year’s festival will feature over 30 Singaporean and made-with-Singapore features and short⁤ films. Notable entries include “Spirit World” by Eric Khoo, starring Catherine ​Deneuve, which is closing the Busan International Film ‌Festival. Other highlighted​ films are “Orang ⁤Ikan” by Mike Wiluan, “Don’t Cry, Butterfly” by Duong Dieu ​Linh, and “City of Small Blessings” by Wong⁤ Chen-Hsi.

Wiluan expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am very honored that ‘Orang Ikan’ has been selected by SGIFF for its Southeast Asian premiere. Thanks to the support of the Singapore Film Commission, I am proud to⁤ showcase the film on home⁢ ground.” Linh added, “As a Vietnamese who considers ​Singapore her second home and has built her entire filmmaking ‍career while living here, I’m extremely proud and happy to share ‘Don’t Cry, Butterfly’ with my ⁣friends and colleagues.”

Revamped Audience Choice Award

The Audience Choice​ Award has been revamped to focus exclusively⁤ on‍ Singaporean films and co-productions. This initiative aims to increase visibility​ for local ‌filmmakers and potentially boost⁤ their chances of securing local distribution⁤ deals. Thong Kay Wee, program⁤ director⁢ of SGIFF, ⁢emphasized the festival’s commitment to local cinema: “SGIFF has always taken great pride ‍in showcasing Singaporean cinema, and in‌ offering ‌a platform for our local ‍filmmakers to share their stories​ with ⁤both local and international audiences. This year’s selection of local films reflect the rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives that define our vibrant film industry.”

Full program lineup

The full⁤ program lineup will be available from Oct. 28,​ with the festival running from Nov. 28 to Dec. 8. This year’s‍ SGIFF promises to be a celebration of cinematic ‍excellence, bridging the gap ⁢between local and international film communities.

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