Singapore International Film Festival 2025 sets new box office and audience records

The 36th edition of the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) concluded on 7 December 2025, achieving its strongest performance in festival history.

Part of the Singapore Media Festival and hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), SGIFF recorded 44 sold-out screenings, surpassing all previous editions.

This marked the third consecutive year of box office growth, with ticket sales rising by 33% compared to 2024.

The festival also drew its highest-ever audience, with attendance increasing by 28.7% year-on-year, reinforcing SGIFF’s standing as a vital showcase of cinematic excellence across Asia and beyond.

A diverse celebration of global and local cinema

Over 12 days, audiences engaged with more than 120 films from over 45 countries, including world premieres, regional spotlights, and a strong showing of over 30 Made-in-Singapore titles and co-productions.

The festival opened with the directorial debut of Shu Qi, titled Girl, and brought together a compelling mix of regional voices and global icons.

Audience interest extended beyond screenings to the widely attended In Conversation With sessions, which featured candid dialogues with renowned artists.

This year’s featured speakers included Shu Qi, Tony Leung, Deepa Mehta, and Youn Yuh-jung, offering insight into their artistic journeys and the broader role of cinema in cultural exchange.

Record turnout for Industry Days

The festival’s Industry Days series, a key professional platform for Asian creatives, witnessed substantial growth in participation.

Held over three days, the programme offered masterclasses, panel discussions, project consultations and networking sessions, further establishing SGIFF as a central hub for industry collaboration in the region.

Among the highlights was the packed session “Visionary Encounter: Matīss Kaža”, featuring the co-creator of the animated film Flow, which has received critical acclaim internationally.

Other standout sessions included:

• “Visionary Encounter: Lucrecia Martel”, exploring sensory language in film; and

• “Visionary Encounter: Lim Giong”, where the composer discussed music and cinematic identity.

These events demonstrated growing interest in the interdisciplinary nature of film production and the cross-pollination of creative practices across borders.

Honouring cinematic trailblazers

The festival awarded two major honorary accolades this year, both to distinguished women in global cinema.

Deepa Mehta received the Cinema Honorary Award for her influential storytelling and commitment to amplifying marginalised voices in independent film.

Her session with audiences highlighted the principles that have guided her decades-long career in tackling complex societal themes.

Youn Yuh-jung, recipient of the Screen Icon Award, was recognised for her groundbreaking contributions over five decades.

In her acceptance speech, Youn Yuh-jung expressed her gratitude, stating: “I am very delighted to be here tonight... This is my very first time in Singapore and I have to say, you’ve given me such a wonderful gift for my first visit — this beautiful recognition.”

Her words resonated with the festival’s overarching message of cinema as a bridge for cultural understanding and shared values.

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Singaporean filmmakers shine on the global stage

The 2025 SGIFF awards highlighted the growing strength of the Singaporean creative landscape.

Tysha Khan was awarded Best Performance in the Southeast Asian Short Film Competition for her role in Fruit.

The jury lauded her ability to balance “the surreal, comedic, and horrific with nuance and conviction”.

Nelson Yeo’s Through Your Eyes won Best Southeast Asian Short Film, praised for its confident direction and emotionally resonant storytelling.

Singapore’s presence was also recognised in the Asian Feature Film Competition.

The co-production A Useful Ghost received a Special Mention, with the jury citing its “adventurous and insightful exploration of contemporary myths”.

The festival’s top honour, Best Asian Feature Film, went to Chen Deming’s Always, commended for its immersive style and emotional power.

Audience enthusiasm also translated into accolades.

Coda, a debut feature from a Singaporean filmmaker, received the Audience Choice Award.

The poignant narrative follows a young woman facing grief and reconciliation with her estranged father.

Its selection reflected the continued support for homegrown talent and reaffirmed SGIFF’s commitment to nurturing emerging voices.