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The 36th edition of the Singapore International Film Festival puts the spotlight on Singaporean stories, with screenings of 30 feature and short films by homegrown filmmakers and co-productions. Some of the local highlights include James Thoo’s Sandbox and a documentary on home-based businesses, At Home with Work.
In his directorial debut Cendol, actor Qi Yuwu teams up with veteran Sharon Au for a short film that tells the story of a woman who returns home to reunite with her mother. Meanwhile, 10s Across the Borders, directed by Chan Sze-Wei, captures the vivid scenes of ballroom culture and community in Southeast Asia. Coda, on the other hand, follows a group of nonprofessional singers as they embark on a strenuous journey to compete on a world stage.
Beyond the Singaporean titles, there’s also a selection of over 100 movies from 45 countries. The festival opens with the Southeast Asia premiere of Taiwanese actress Shu Qi’s coming-of-age story Girl, followed by Becoming Human from Cambodia and Japan’s Kokuho. Other movies making their Singapore premiere at SGIFF include Hong Sang Soo’s latest slow-burn commentary, What Does that Nature Say to You, and Pedro Pinho’s Portuguese drama I Only Rest in the Storm.