SINGAPORE – Cinephiles turned up in force to support the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), which ended its 36th edition on Dec 7 on a historic high. 

The festival recorded 44 sold-out screenings and achieved a new box-office record, with ticket sales increasing 33 per cent from 2024. 

SGIFF also saw its strongest turnout with a 28.7 per cent increase in participation compared with 2024’s edition, marking the festival’s strongest audience attendance to date.

Over 120 films from more than 45 countries and territories – including world premieres, regional discoveries and a notable line-up of over 30 made-in-Singapore productions and co-productions – were featured across 12 days.

The festival kicked off

with Hong Kong actress Shu Qi’s directorial debut Girl

Apart from film screenings, festivalgoers also supported the In Conversation With series, hosted by local actress Rebecca Lim. The intimate dialogue sessions with film icons, including Shu Qi, Hong Kong’s Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Indian-Canadian film-maker Deepa Mehta and South Korean Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung, were well attended.

Both Mehta and Youn’s contributions to cinema were celebrated. Mehta, 75, received the Cinema Honorary Award for her fearless storytelling and unwavering commitment to independent films.

Youn, 78, was presented with the Screen Icon Award for her career spanning more than five decades and her pioneering influence on Asian representation in global cinema. 

Meanwhile, several Singapore works were in the spotlight at the festival’s 2025 Silver Screen Awards on Dec 7 for championing the local creative landscape.