The Singapore International Film Festival 2025 Sets New Box Office Record with 44 Sold-Out Screenings and a 33% Surge in Ticket Sales

The 36th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) wrapped its 2025 edition on 7 December with historic milestones, cementing its position as one of Asia’s most important platforms for global and regional cinema. Held as part of the Singapore Media Festival 2025 and hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), this year’s SGIFF shattered records with 44 sold-out screenings and a remarkable 33% increase in ticket sales, its strongest box office performance for the third year running.

Audience turnout also reached unprecedented heights. Participation grew 28.7% from 2024, marking SGIFF’s largest audience attendance ever and underscoring the festival’s growing influence among film lovers, creators, and industry leaders.

A 12-Day Celebration of Global and Asian Cinema

Over nearly two weeks, festivalgoers enjoyed a vibrant lineup of over 120 films from more than 45 countries, showcasing world premieres, regional gems, and over 30 Made-in-Singapore films and co-productions.

SGIFF 2025 opened with Girl, the highly anticipated directorial debut of international star Shu Qi, setting an exciting tone for a festival rich with storytelling talent. Audiences turned up in full force not only for film screenings but also for the festival’s popular In Conversation With series.

These intimate dialogues featured cinematic icons including Shu Qi, Tony Leung, and this year’s honoured guests Deepa Mehta and Youn Yuh-jung, giving fans an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look into their creative journeys and artistic legacies.

Industry Days Sees Record Participation

The festival’s professional platform, Industry Days, once again proved a major draw. The three-day programme brought together established filmmakers, emerging voices, producers and international collaborators through masterclasses, panels and networking sessions.

Among the standout sessions:

• Visionary Encounter: Matīss Kaža – The co-producer and writer of the internationally acclaimed animated feature Flow drew a packed audience, especially resonating with young filmmakers exploring new animation languages.
• Visionary Encounter: Lucrecia Martel – Her deep dive into sound, rhythm, and sensory storytelling offered participants a masterclass in cinematic form.
• Visionary Encounter: Lim Giong – The renowned composer shared insights into his multidisciplinary approach to music and soundscapes shaped by Asian cinematic identity.

The strong turnout reaffirms Industry Days as one of the region’s most important hubs for creative development and cross-cultural exchange.

Honouring Visionary Women in Film

SGIFF 2025 paid tribute to two trailblazing women who have profoundly shaped global cinema:

• Deepa Mehta – Recipient of the Cinema Honorary Award for her fearless storytelling and unwavering commitment to amplifying marginalised voices.
• Youn Yuh-jung – Honoured with the Screen Icon Award, recognising her pioneering influence and illustrious career spanning more than five decades.

Celebrating the 2025 Festival Award Winners

This year’s awards spotlighted a rising wave of local talent alongside exceptional regional filmmaking.

Southeast Asian Short Film Competition:

• Best Performance: Tysha Khan in Fruit, commended for her nuanced navigation of surreal, comedic and horrific tones.
• Best Southeast Asian Short Film: Through Your Eyes by Nelson Yeo, praised for its assured direction, evocative casting and emotionally rich storytelling.

Asian Feature Film Competition:

• Special Mention: A Useful Ghost (Singapore co-production), recognised for its bold and insightful exploration of contemporary myth and genre hybridity.
• Best Asian Feature Film: Always, directed by Chen Deming, honoured for its immersive cinematic language and emotional depth.

Audience Choice Award:

• Coda, the debut film by a Singaporean filmmaker, captured hearts with its intimate, moving exploration of grief, reconciliation and family bonds. Its win underscores the deep support SGIFF audiences continue to show for homegrown voices.