The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) made a dazzling return last night with its 2025 Opening Ceremony at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands. As part of the Singapore Media Festival hosted by IMDA, this year’s edition kicked off with the Singapore premiere of Girl, the highly anticipated directorial debut of international star Shu Qi.
From the very first red-carpet moment, the atmosphere was electric. Shu Qi arrived with lead actor Bai Xiao-Ying and actor-singer 9m88 to enthusiastic cheers, setting the tone for a twelve-day celebration of global cinema, creativity, and cross-cultural storytelling from 26 November to 7 December 2025.
They were joined by Festival Ambassador Rebecca Lim and Guest of Honour Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, who officially opened the festival. Singapore’s filmmaking community also turned out in full force, with Chin Han, Tan Kheng Hua, Lim Kay Tong, Hong Hui Fang, Jack Neo, Qi Yuwu, Yvonne Lim, Tay Ping Hui, Jeanette Aw, Lim Yu Beng, Irene Ang, Nathan Hartono, and Benjamin Kheng lighting up the evening in a vibrant show of support for local and regional storytelling.
A Record-Smashing Year for SGIFF
SGIFF 2025 is already on track to become the most successful edition in its 36-year history. Ticket sales have surged by an impressive 52% compared to the same period in 2024, with 33 screenings sold out, four times more than last year.
Driving much of this momentum is the presence of cinema legend Tony Leung, whose Special Presentation screening of Silent Friend and accompanying “In Conversation With” session sold out in under ten minutes, cementing them as some of the hottest tickets in the festival’s history.
Singaporean films are enjoying their own spotlight: The Old Man and His Car and Sandbox sold out within a day, reflecting a powerful wave of support for homegrown storytellers and the diversity of Singapore’s creative voices.
Japanese titles continue to captivate festival audiences, with Kokuho, Two Seasons Two Strangers, and Bring Me Down to Portable Size ranking among the fastest-selling international films. Meanwhile, every title linked to Shu Qi, including Girl and Resurrection, has sold out, affirming her enduring star power and the strong buzz surrounding the festival.
Featuring over 120 films from more than 45 countries, and over 30 Singapore-made productions, SGIFF 2025 continues its mission to spotlight stories of identity, resilience, and rediscovery. The festival’s ongoing partnerships, especially with Marina Bay Sands, have been instrumental in shaping its growth and ability to champion regional voices on a global stage.
Meet Icons of Global and Regional Cinema
Beyond Opening Night, festival-goers can look forward to thought-provoking screenings, groundbreaking debuts, and rare opportunities to hear directly from some of cinema’s most influential figures.
This year’s “In Conversation With” series highlights:
- Deepa Mehta – Recipient of the Cinema Honorary Award, sharing reflections on her fearless filmmaking and its social impact.
- Youn Yuh-jung – Oscar-winning actress and Screen Icon Award recipient in an intimate dialogue about her craft and the evolution of Asian women in film.
- Chin Han – The Singapore-born Hollywood actor discusses his career journey and the shifting landscape of Asian representation.
These sessions offer intimate, unfiltered insight into the creative forces shaping contemporary cinema.
Tickets for select events are still available here and via SISTIC.
