36th SGIFF Kicks Off with Record Ticket Sales and Shu Qi's Directorial Debut

The thirty-sixth Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) commenced its twelve-day run on November 26, 2025. The opening was marked by the screening of 'Girl,' the directorial debut feature from internationally acclaimed star Shu Qi. Since its establishment in 1987, SGIFF has cemented its status as a premier cultural event in Asia, and this year’s launch immediately captured the attention of the global film community.

The opening ceremony took place at the Sands Theatre. Attendees included Shu Qi herself, along with the film's lead actress Bai Xiao-Ying, Festival Ambassador Rebecca Lim, and Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo. The festival, which is scheduled to run through December 7, 2025, is already signaling robust commercial success. Total ticket sales have surged by an impressive 52 percent compared to the previous year, clearly demonstrating heightened public enthusiasm for the program.

This 36th edition of SGIFF is showcasing a diverse selection of 121 films sourced from over 45 different nations. A significant portion of the buzz surrounding the program stems from the participation of celebrated cinematic masters. Notably, tickets for the special screening of 'Silent Friend' and the 'Conversation with Tony Leung' session were completely sold out within a mere ten minutes of going on sale. The legendary Hong Kong actor Tony Leung, renowned for iconic roles in 'In the Mood for Love' (2000) and 'Infernal Affairs' (2002), is set to attend alongside the film's director, Hungarian auteur Ildikó Enyedi. Their highly anticipated dialogue session, moderated by Rebecca Lim, is slated for November 28 at 7:00 PM at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

Shu Qi’s semi-autobiographical narrative, 'Girl,' which explores themes of coming-of-age in 1980s Taipei, not only inaugurated the festival but also saw all its scheduled showings completely booked. This level of demand suggests the film might set a new box office benchmark for SGIFF. The Golden Horse Award-winning actress-turned-director will also present her film 'Resurrection' within the 'Undercurrent' section, which has also found a receptive audience.

The festival's commercial momentum extends to local productions. Films such as 'The Old Man and His Car' experienced complete sell-outs on the very first day of ticket availability. SGIFF 2025 continues to deepen its commitment to nurturing domestic talent, presenting more than 30 features and shorts from Singaporean filmmakers. The dedicated 'Singapore Panorama' section is focused on examining evolving societal issues through the lens of local storytelling.

Furthermore, the festival is honoring significant figures in cinema. Oscar-winning South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung, celebrated for her role in 'Minari,' will receive the prestigious Screen Icon Award. Director Deepa Mehta is also slated to be recognized with the Cinema Honorary Award. These high-profile accolades, coupled with initiatives like the SGIFF Pro platform designed to foster regional talent development, reinforce the festival’s standing as a vital cultural nexus for the entire region.