Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) Announces New Festival Dates for Its 37th Edition in 2026

Photo credit: SGIFF/Clarence Aw. The 36th Singapore International Film Festival took place from 26 November to 7 December 2025. 

Traditionally held between late November and early December, SGIFF will now take place earlier in the year, from 21 October to 1 November 2026.

The shift to October positions SGIFF within an optimal window for theatrical releases of independent film in Singapore, allowing films to reach local audiences without competing directly with the year-end slate of major Hollywood blockbusters. This strategic move reaffirms SGIFF’s commitment to enhance visibility for independent world cinema, while supporting distributors and filmmakers in boosting audience engagement.

The Festival’s Call For Entry will officially open on 9 April 2026, inviting submissions for Asian feature films and Southeast Asian short films to be considered for its competition sections.

“The decision to reposition the Festival reflects our intention to place greater emphasis on the distribution and exhibition needs of independent and auteur cinema,” said Jeremy Chua, Executive Director of SGIFF. “By collaborating more closely with distributors during a more suitable release period, we aim to strengthen reach and engagement beyond the Festival itself.”

Jeremy Chua as Executive Director, SGIFF. Photo credit: Jeremy Chua (left), SGIFF (right)

Previously SGIFF’s General Manager, Jeremy Chua will now lead the Festival’s strategic and creative direction for its 37th edition and beyond.

“The Board is pleased to appoint Jeremy Chua as Executive Director of SGIFF. With a deep understanding of the regional film industry and the community it serves, he is well placed to grow the Festival’s relevance, reach, and impact for audiences, filmmakers, and partners. As a producer whose films have competed in and won our Silver Screen Awards, Jeremy brings a filmmaker’s perspective and a strong commitment to championing independent filmmakers while caring deeply about how their films can engage wider audiences. The Board is confident in his leadership as he strengthens the Festival’s role as a gateway for Singapore and Southeast Asian talent to connect with the world, and we look forward to supporting him in this new chapter,” said Chairperson Boo Junfeng.

Chua’s producing credits include Filipinana by Rafael Manuel (Special Jury Prize, Sundance World Dramatic Competition 2026), Some Rain Must Fall by Qiu Yang (Special Jury Prize, Berlinale Encounters 2024), and Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell by Pham Thien An (Cannes Camera d’Or 2023). He is the recipient of the 2023 FIAPF Outstanding Contribution to Asia Pacific Cinema Award and a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.

Film still from Monisme (2023), a recipient of the SEA-DOC Grant, which had its Asian premiere at SGIFF.

In addition, the SGIFF Film Fund, which supports the production of independent Southeast Asian feature documentaries and short films, will go on temporary hiatus. The hiatus is part of a strategic review aimed at strengthening the Festival’s long-term impact on Southeast Asian filmmaking.

Established in 2018, the SGIFF Film Fund comprises two grants: the Tan Ean Kiam Foundation-SGIFF Southeast Asian Documentary (SEA-DOC) Grant and SGIFF Southeast Asian Short Film (SEA-SHORTS) Grant. Since its inception, the Fund has awarded a total of S$885,000 to nearly 50 films across the region.

Noteworthy grant recipients include feature documentaries such as Aswang by Alyx Ayn Arumpac (Philippines, 2019) and Monisme by Riar Rizaldi (Indonesia, 2023), as well as short films such as Mulberry Fields by Nguyễn Trung Nghĩa (Vietnam, 2024) and BLEAT! by Ananth Subramaniam (Malaysia, 2025). These works reflect the Fund’s commitment to championing diverse voices and stories from Southeast Asia.

The Festival plans to use the hiatus to revamp the SGIFF Film Fund to better respond to the regional industry’s evolving needs and strengthen its support for marginalised voices within Southeast Asian filmmaking.

“This short hiatus gives us the necessary space to work closely with our partners to strengthen the SGIFF Film Fund for the long term,” added Chua. “Our commitment to filmmakers and the regional industry remains unchanged, and we look forward to relaunching the Fund later this year with a renewed framework that responds meaningfully to today’s production and distribution realities.”

Further details on the Festival’s programme highlights and SGIFF Pro for its 37th edition, along with the return of the SGIFF Film Fund, will be announced in due course.

[END]

For media queries, please contact:
Krystalle Teh
marketing@sgiff.com