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 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 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.
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.
Meanwhile, My Lady M by emerging Singaporean/Chinese filmmaker 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‘.
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.
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.
