Festival Team

Ryan Pagdanganan programmes films at the Singapore International Film Festival. His practice treads around his residence between cultures and translates into an enduring curiosity of the mundane everyday. His photographs have been plastered at FilmNeverDie (2020) in Melbourne and Ephemere (2023) in Tokyo. His static words are sprinkled around in places such as Bog Bodies Press (2024) and Reboot (2023) while his more interactive work lives in several corners of the internet.

Hsieh I-Hsuan is a film curator, writer, and researcher based in Amsterdam and Taipei. She currently programs for Women Make Waves Film Festival Taiwan and the SGIFF. Since 2022, she has served on the selection committee for TIDF. Her independent curatorial projects have been presented at Barbican Centre, Eye Filmmuseum, WORM, and others. She also offers festival strategy consultancy for short films and documentaries, edits Taiwan Documentary E-Paper, and is a member of the Taiwan Film Critics Society. Her writing focuses on non-fiction and Asian cinema, with attention to underrepresented perspectives.

Monica Gyamlani is a film programmer and creative producer from India, currently Senior Programmer at the Dharamshala International Film Festival. Her festival work also includes pre-selection committee and screener roles for Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and SXSW. As a producer she develops independent films with India-based production houses. A graduate of the National Film and Television School, UK, she holds an MA in Film and Television. She works at the intersection of film production and film festivals.

Richard Bolisay is a writer, film critic, programmer, and educator from the Philippines. He is the author of Break it to Me Gently: Essays on Filipino Film (2019) and Nothing Deep (2022), both finalists for the Philippine National Book Awards. He also edited the anthology Daang Dokyu: A Festival of Philippine Documentaries (2020) and co-organised the Alternative Cinema Initiatives Conference (2019). An alumnus of the Berlinale Talent Press and Locarno Critics Academy, he is currently a PhD student in the Department of Film Studies at the University of St Andrews.

Sam I-shan is an independent curator focusing on time-based media, photography, and art and politics. She programmes for film festivals, specialising in artist films and video, and Southeast Asian and experimental cinema, working with Singapore International Film Festival, Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival at M+ Hong Kong. Asian Film and Video Art Forum at MMCA Korea, Art SG Film and Videoex Zurich. Selected exhibitions include Spirits Melt to Flesh (Bangkok Kunsthalle, Thailand), Nowhere Here (Singapore International Photography Festival), Sim Chi Yin: One Day We’ll Understand (Rencontres d’Arles, France), Cao Fei (NGS, Singapore) and Afterimage: Contemporary Photography in Southeast Asia (SAM, Singapore). She was previously curator at National Gallery Singapore, Singapore Art Museum and Esplanade Visual Arts.

Sim Jiaying is a Lecturer at the University of Hong Kong and founder of the Singapore Film Database, a comprehensive digital resource on Singapore’s film ecosystem. She holds a PhD in Film and Television Studies from the University of Glasgow, with research focusing on Asian cinema, transnational screen cultures, and creative-critical practice. Her writing has appeared in Jom, Film-Philosophy, Journal of Chinese Cinemas, and anthologies by Edinburgh University Press and Routledge. She was a 2025 Hyundai Artlab Editorial Fellow.

Tracey Toh is a writer and researcher with interests in landscape, ecology and experimental moving image works. She won the Young Critic Award at the 2021 Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) and is the co-founder of CORRESPONDENCE, a Singapore-based publication centred on film writing.

Vess Chua is a film programmer based between Bangkok and Singapore. She programmes for the Singapore International Film Festival and serves on viewing committees for Movies That Matter (NL) and Montreal International Documentary Festival (CA). Previously, she worked with the Singapore Youth Film Festival and the Perspectives Film Festival.

She is drawn to films exploring speculative histories, collective anxieties, and resistance in Southeast Asian cinema. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Curatorial Practice at Chulalongkorn University, her research explores questions of agency and embodiment through time-based media.

Wiwat Lertwiwatwongsa is a cinephile, film critic, writer, and editorial team member of Film Club Thailand. He is also the founder of Wildtype, a loose group of Thai cinephiles that organises film screenings, and seminars, and publishes film books in Thailand. Since 2008, Wiwat has curated and organised a series of Thai short film screenings called Filmvirs Wildtype, which focuses on overlooked Thai short films. Since 2018, he has collaborated with the Documentary Club to program film events and organise documentary film festivals.

Lim Sidnee is a Singaporean-Malaysian filmmaker and academic. They were most recently based in Boston and New York City where they graduated from Emerson College and Columbia University. They also specialized professionally in post-production and have published writing on queer diasporic cinema and trans media in Asian American Arts Alliance’s magazine The Amp and the Transformative Works and Culture journal. Now back in Singapore, Sidnee is beginning their PhD in Communications and New Media at the National University of Singapore, where their research interests lie in fan edits and alternative circuits of film and media.

Wilson handles Partnerships and Development work at SGIFF, working closely with the rest of the Festival Team to bring it to life. Seemingly everywhere but nowhere at once during the Festival, Wilson is a familiar blur between Point A and Point B, always in a hurry. Prior to SGIFF, Wilson was in the impact investing space, mobilising capital for underserved communities. He brings this same intentionality to his work at the festival, connecting the dots between funder and cause to support the different aspects of the Festival, spotlighting lesser-reached communities and creating space for diverse voices in cinema. He loves all kinds of dance, from street to contemporary, navigating Singapore’s dance scene one class, intensive, camp, and exchange at a time. His favourite film prior to joining SGIFF was Inception. He finds new favourites every month now.

Trevor Wee is a Singapore-based arts and culture multi-hyphenate. The co-founder of independent events organiser Rabak Records, his practice primarily focuses on supporting underground music in Singapore. His academic research examines the impact of policy on the arts in Singapore, with his undergraduate thesis currently awaiting publication. Trevor is also the frontman of post-metalcore band SEER, pushing the boundaries of heavy music in Singapore. Outside of the arts, Trevor is a PADI Divemaster Trainee and enjoys participating in outdoor activities. His highest rated Letterboxd review has garnered a staggering six likes.

Arden Loh manages donor relations at the Singapore International Film Festival. A student of linguistics, Arden is passionate about communication systems and the intersections of language and culture. When they are not sending emails, Arden can be found exploring movement and choreographic work in street dance.

Shining is a Production Stage Manager with over 12 years of experience across dance, theatre, concerts, festivals, film events, and large-scale live productions in Singapore and internationally.

She served as a Production Stage Manager at T.H.E Dance Company from 2013 to 2016, touring widely and contributing to the company’s key works. In 2017, supported by the Singapore National Arts Council Capability Development Grant, she joined City Contemporary Dance Company in Hong Kong as Assistant to the Technical Director for Post-Perception/Transcendence by Sang Jijia. That same year, she began her ongoing role as Gala Events Manager at the Singapore International Film Festival, overseeing major events including opening screenings and the Silver Screen Awards.
In 2025, she was awarded her second National Arts Council Capability Development Grant, undertaking a professional attachment with Farooq Chaudhry of Fengling Productions in the UK. She also worked with award-winning Art Director Tim Yip on a commissioned production for Standard Chartered Bank in London. Since 2025, she has also been involved in Mediacorp’s 972FM annual musical productions.

Shining serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts’ School of Dance. Alongside her freelance practice, she continues to work with independent artists and companies, bringing a thoughtful and collaborative approach to production and supporting artists across multidisciplinary practices.

Fiona Lim started to get involved in theatre acting while she is in a polytechnic drama club. With a passion in acting, Fiona decided to join the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts to hone her acting skills. However, while at NAFA, she started exploring her talents in working behind the scenes and realized her strengths in backstage work.

Since then, she has been working in the theatre industry upon graduation. Fiona has experiences in many departments, including lighting, staging, costumes, management, front of house and producing. She has worked on a wide range of performances, with local and international companies and on tour performances in drama, musical, opera, dance and music.

Some of her involvements includes M1 Singapore Fringe Festival (2018 – 2025), “The Year of No Return” – Singapore International Festival of Arts 2021, “Shadow Moon” 《月背》 (Chinese Extravaganza 2022), “Chestnuts: Sibeh Strange in the Multiverse”, “Pippi Longstocking” (in Russian), “Journey through the Doldrums”, “TIME” 《时间》, “Break in the Clouds”, “The Tooth Faeries” and “Charulata (The Broken Nest)” (Tagore Society Singapore Theatre Fest 2025).

Sin Yee is an arts professional with a Diploma in Arts Management from NAFA and a Bachelor of Arts in Technical Theatre from LASALLE College of the Arts. A recipient of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Scholarship and NAC Arts Bursary, she served as Stage Manager with Singapore Dance Theatre (now Singapore Ballet) from 2005 to 2012, supporting major productions, Ballet Under the Stars and international tours. Her diverse experience spans stage and production management, arts administration, event management and operations. She has worked with leading arts organisations including Esplanade, Ding Yi Music Company, Paper Monkey Theatre and DRAGONE (Macau SAR), and more recently, oversees events and operations at The Ballet School Singapore.

Rhiannon Jones is a freelancer within the Events & Theatre Industry. Before joining SGIFF as an Events Assistant, she has previously worked on other events within the arts scene for the last four years as either an Events Admin Staff or Operations Staff. She also has started working within the theatre scene as an Assistant Stage Manager.

With two decades of experience in the Singapore Film Industry, Mabelyn has been a Line Producer on landmark Singapore films, a Film Educator with the local film institutions and has finally come full circle, returning to the place where it all started for her when she was a little wide-eyed volunteer years ago – the Singapore International Film Festival.

Miranda is an interdisciplinary designer and project manager operating across the arts, culture, and lifestyle industries. As the Festival’s Guest Experience Manager, she leads the end-to-end planning and delivery of the guest programme, crafting seamless touchpoints for filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts alike. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Law and Economics from The University of Sydney, bringing an understanding of systemic frameworks to her design work, which actively explores and challenges societal norms. Miranda is currently based in Singapore.

Nadhra is an arts and entertainment manager specialising in festival making and production management. She has worked on AXEAN Festival (2023), Singapore HeritageFest (2025), Singapore International Film Festival (2025), and most recently, A Light Between Rains (2026), which was a SIFA commission. She completed her BA(Hons) in Arts Management at LASALLE College of the Arts where she investigated cultural barriers to audience engagement in the arts as part of her final dissertation. As a budding poet, Nadhra’s writing is inspired by her personal life and her everyday experiences. Poetry affords her to constantly connect and reflect on herself and the people around her which in turn informs her worldview and the way she builds rapport with people.

Weiqi is a creative producer and writer across the page, stage, and screen. As this year’s Festival Lounge & Events Coordinator, she curates spaces and experiences for the film community to connect and gather. Previously, she managed the National Youth Film Awards and has worked behind the scenes on films screened at festivals in Singapore, Busan, and Locarno. Outside of work, you may find her camping or hiking in nature. She is also a filmmaker herself, and is currently developing an interdisciplinary project exploring movement and water.

Isha is a filmmaker and illustrator specialising in design, comics and animation. Graduating from the University of Southern California (USC) with a BFA in Animation and minor in East Asian Languages and Cultures, they are a firm believer of cinema as a bridge between cultures. Their works have been showcased in Singapore Art Book Fair (SGABF), Taipei Art Book Fair (TPABF) and Philippines International Festival of Comics (PICOF). After being a Guest Experience intern at last year’s edition of SGIFF, they’re back this year as an artist coordinator to help with guest relations and more.

Breia is part of the Guest Experience team for SGIFF 2026 upon graduating from Temasek Polytechnic with her diploma in Communications Design. She’s a big people person who thrives in environments where she gets to meet and interact with new people every day and is always up for trying new things and learning along the way. She has also garnered a whopping total of 13 likes on Letterboxd, so clearly she’s a very serious film critic.

Celine is a part of the guest experience team for SGIFF 2026. A Communication Studies graduate specialising in Broadcast and Film, with experience in media production and events. She is passionate about storytelling and creative production, particularly projects that bring people together and create memorable experiences. Outside of work, she enjoys dance, exploring creative projects, and discovering new films and cultural experiences.

Eli is an intern in the Festival Operations team and a third-year English undergraduate in NUS. Outside of work and school, he’s a big music fan, and is often browsing Steam for a good deal. He fell in love with SGIFF at the age of 15, and after eight years of volunteering, finally decided to apply for a job.

Jocelyn is part of the guest experience team for SGIFF 2026 after receiving her Diploma in Media, Arts and Design (Story and Content Creation) in Singapore Polytechnic. As a passionate storyteller, she aspires to pursue her dreams of filmmaking or events cordination as her way of sharing others’ stories and visions with the world. In her free time, she loves to travel, bingewatch sitcoms and build legos.

Yi Xuan supports the Festival Operations team as an Event Management Intern. A recent NUS Theatre Studies graduate, she is deeply passionate about fostering meaningful dialogue and creative collaborations through the arts. With experience in theatre archival, set design and exhibition development, she is currently working on sharpening her playwriting skills. In her spare time, she enjoys lounging at the dog park with her furry friend and the occasional game of frisbee.

Megan is an events management and ticketing intern for SGIFF 2026 after completing her BA (Hons) in English at NTU. She is interested in education, psychology and the intersections between them. She loves music, writing, photography, film, Youtube, physical media and womens’ sports.

Bridget Zhang currently coordinates industry programmes at SGIFF. She first joined the Festival as Programme Assistant in 2025. Interested in the stories carried through visual and material culture across time, she spent a summer in Beijing excavating a Chinese Bronze Age tomb and has worked at various museums and arts organisations in Los Angeles and Singapore.

Renée is the Industry Coordinator at SGIFF, where she supports the festival’s creative initiatives and industry programmes. Previously, she worked at Filmhouse where she coordinated the 35th European Film Festival and assisted with the cinema’s programmes. She also interned at Raindance Film Festival in London, where she got her first taste in film festival production. She has also authored a few film-related stories for Vogue Singapore. Alongside her work in film, Renée is an aspiring actress who explores storytelling through performance. She is currently pursuing acting opportunities while honing her craft at Singapore Repertory Theatre’s The Young Company.

Ava is an industry assistant for SGIFF 2026 after completing her BA (Hons) in Manchester. Previously, she was involved in the Singapore Film Society (SFS) in marketing and operations matters for various flagship film festivals like the MINDS Film Festival, Japanese Film Festival and Animation Nation. Apart from watching films, she also has an interest in TV and game shows, along with spending money at pop culture and art conventions.

Tan Grace is a writer and multi-disciplinary artist. A recent BA (Hons) graduate from the Puttnam School of Film and Animation at LASALLE College of the Arts, she is currently an Industry Assistant for SGIFF 2026. With a background in literature and linguistics, she is particularly interested in exploring the intersection between image-making and the written word. She hopes to bring together her mixed-media practice to deepen her craft in the field of creative non-fiction. She is most moved, challenged and inspired by her work on humanitarian trips, adventures in street photography, and when nestled in the cradle of the outdoors—with a good book and a frozen treat.

Krystalle Teh is a writer and cinephile from Singapore. Before joining the Festival team as its Marketing Executive, she previously participated in the Festival’s Youth Jury & Critics Programme in 2021. Her film criticism has appeared with Asian Film Archive and Phnom Penh-based film magazine MARG1N. Her short fiction has appeared in SUSPECT journal. She is at work on a series of short stories on violent desires.

Prudence is a freelance film producer with roots in creative writing. She defines herself as a storyteller and believes there is one to be told in everything, even in the closure of her favourite prawn mee store below the SGIFF office.

In between her days of excel sheets and dropbox links at SGIFF, she can usually be found on film sets doing the important work of sourcing the perfect “authentic heartland but modern local coffeeshop” or casting a child who must look five yet cry on command.

Iris Helena is a motion and graphic designer. Some of her most notable projects include designing content for the highly anticipated ‘Stranger Things’ house and ‘Once Upon a Time…TO DIE!” main show at Universal Studios Singapore’s Halloween Horror Nights 13, and the immersive Amazon Prime Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 exhibition at Mandarin Gallery. Outside of the corporate brief, she spends her time exploring personal projects inspired by the media she consumes – from music and film to literature and live performance. These projects give her the freedom to experiment and develop a creative identity beyond the capitalist creative grind.