SGIFF 2018: A Showcase of Emerging & Established Film Talents

Founded in 1987, the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is the largest and longest-running ﬁlm event in Singapore. This year, the 29th edition of SGIFF aims to showcase both emerging and established film talents, focusing on the regional while expanding out to the global. From highly anticipated film screenings to programs and masterclasses led by experts in the film industry, there is something in store for all.

Festival Opening & Special Presentation Films

SGIFF 2018: Cities of Last Things — Cities of Last Things (2018)

SGIFF will be opening with Malaysian-born director Ho Wi Ding’s Cities of Last Things, where we are introduced to Zhang, a retired police officer in 2049. The film will take us to different time frames of his life in reverse chronological order, and to the three women who played a crucial role in shaping his identity.

Other films in the special presentation category include Taiwan’s sensitive comedic drama Dear Ex, where a widow of a rocker learns to make peace with her late husband’s male lover, and a Filipino horror film Eerie set in a convent school with unexpected subversion of conventional tropes.

Southeast Asian Short Film Competition

If you are unable to commit to the time consuming full-length films, you can try catching short films that are no longer than half an hour each. Films entered for the Southeast Asian Short Film Competition premiere on 7 December 2018. The themes are often enigmatic and explore deep human desires.

SGIFF 2018: Manila is Full of Men Named Boy — Manila is Full of Men Named Boy (2018)

For instance, Manila Is Full of Men Named Boy by Andrew Stephen Lee is about a man who bought a child to pass off as his own son to impress his estranged father.

SGIFF 2018: My Lady M — My Lady M (2018)

Meanwhile, My Lady M by emerging Singaporean/Chinese filmmaker Tingerine Liu is set in the iconic cake shop of the same name in New York City, where a group of Chinese millennials share relatable vignettes and youthful aspirations.

Offscreen Programs

Besides the screenings, SGIFF will be giving the general public a chance to meet famous people in the film industry and get to know more about what they do with ‘In Conversation‘.

SGIFF 2018: Sammi Cheng — Known for her star power and sensual vocals, Sammi Cheng is one of Asia’s most prominent singers and actresses.

This is a rare opportunity to engage with Hong Kong singer and actress Sammi Cheng as she opens up about the films that cemented her acting style, the motivation behind her artistic pursuits, and her future creative direction.

SGIFF 2018: Daniel Dae Kim — Daniel Dae Kim made his mark in the TV series Lost, for which he shared a 2006 Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble, and was honoured with multiple individual awards.

Daniel Dae Kim, best known for his appearance in the 2006 Lost television series, will also be sharing his experiences and the need to reinvent himself in the entertainment industry.

For aspiring filmmakers, masterclasses conducted by the celebrated Stanley Kwan, Mexican director Carlos Reygadas and SGIFF Honorary Award recipient Rithy Panh will offer invaluable insights into the art of film production.

The 29th edition of SGIFF runs from 28 November 2018 to 9 December 2018. For more information on film screenings and festival schedule, visit the official website at https://sgiff.com/.

Visuals courtesy of the Singapore International Film Festival.