The Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF) is an annual film event which screens about 300 films from over 45 countries. The Festival is recognised for its cutting edge programming and focus on Asian Cinema, has a strong selection of documentaries and world cinema. It has a platform for new Singapore films and a window to South East Asian films. In addition, the Festival is dedicated to music-related or theme films which has a loyal following with the audiences over the years.

Over the years, it has built a reputation with film critics, audiences and buyers in Southeast Asia. To encourage excellence amongst Asian filmmakers, the Festival introduced the Silver Screen Awards Competition in 1991, the first Asian international film festival with a specific Asian film competition. In 2007, Indonesian auteur filmmaker Garin Nugorho received the Best Director Award for his film "Opera Jawa" which went on to international festivals garnering critical reviews. Many Southeast asian filmmakers have premiered their first films at the Singapore International Film Festival.  SIFF also has been the window to contemporary film trends for local audiences, having special programmes such as "The Secret Life of Arabia", Australian contemporaries, and new Iranian works. The Festival also has become a must-stop calendar event for Southeast Asian filmmakers, film programmers and media because of its dedication to giving a voice to films from the Southeast Asian region. Prolific Southeast Asian filmmakers such as Lav Diaz from Philippines, Amir Muhammad from Malaysia and Riri Riza & Garin Nugroho from Indonesia all have had their world premieres with the Festival. Other past guests of the festival include director Peter Weir, Jim Hanson, and actor Chow Yuan Fatt.

In Singapore, the Festival is one of the most anticipated events on the arts calendar drawing in over 30,000 people. Because of the Festival’s recognition of short filmmakers through its Silver Screen Awards section, many prominent Singapore filmmakers have launched their careers through their win of the Best Short Film, Special Achievement and Best Director (Short Film) awards. These filmmakers include Royston Tan, Kelvin Tong, Sandi Tan, and Sun Koh.

The Singapore International Film Festival remains an independent non-profit organization with a charity status. The Festival’s programming remains true to its mission which is to help audiences experience the world through film and promote film as an artistic medium, allowing the Festival to show a vast range of films from narrative to experimental to documentaries. The Festival also pushes the boundaries with it bold selections.

Contact:
Singapore International Film Festival Secretariat
Tel: 65-6738 7567
E-mail: filmfest@pacific.net.sg