May 3, 2021
The 32nd Singapore International Film Festival Kickstarters Call for Film Entries & Open Applications for the Southeast Asian Producers Network for the First Time
The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) returns for its 32nd edition from 25th November to 5th December 2021, with a call for entries for Feature Films from Asian and Short Films from Southeast Asian, as well as a call for applications for the Southeast Asian Film Lab and Youth Jury & Critics Programme. For the first time ever, SGIFF will have an open call for applications for its Southeast Asian Producers Network Programme this year. Since its inception in 2017, participants were invited to be part of the Southeast Asian Producers Network.
Under SGIFF’s Film Academy, the region’s first holistic training initiative for Southeast Asian film talents, the Southeast Asian Producers Network was a by-invitation-only programme that identified producers from the region to share their wealth of knowledge and information with one another in an open exchange of ideas. The network is a platform for further dialogue and opportunities for collaboration. This year, SGIFF aims to open its doors and welcome interested applicants for selection to diversify and widen the network to further encourage the potential for collaboration, idea exchange and inspiration across countries.
“In the wake of the pandemic, SGIFF pivoted with its first hybrid festival in 2020. What it lacked in physicality, the online forums shone as it saw the strengthening of community within the film world in fostering connections and creating opportunities. In line with the spirit of being a connector for regional talent, opening up the Southeast Asian Producer’s Network to a wider pool of applicants aims to create opportunities and broaden the network for greater collaborations.” says Kuo Ming-Jung, SGIFF’s Artistic Director.
Submissions are open from now till 27 August 2021 at https://www.sgiff.com/call-for-entry-2021/. Early bird submissions received by 16 August 2021 will enjoy submission fee waivers. Thereafter, a submission fee of USD$25 will apply.
32nd SGIFF Call for Entry: Feature Film & Short Film Submissions
Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) welcomes Asian and Southeast Asian films to be part of its Official Selection and Competition section. The Festival will consider films that are at least a Singapore premiere, have not been broadcast on TV nor made available on the Internet, nor premiered earlier than 1 September 2020.
Only Southeast Asian short films, Asian feature-length and mid-length films may be submitted for Festival consideration.
Films in competition will be previewed by an international jury and screened to the public throughout the Festival period, which culminates in the Silver Screen Awards presentation. First introduced in 1991, the Silver Screen Awards was the first such international competition with a specific Asian film category; thus charting the rise of Asian Cinema and recognising the talents of new and upcoming filmmakers, many of whom have become some of the most prominent filmmakers of our time.
All entries must be submitted by 27 August 2021, 6pm (GMT+8).
Early bird submissions from 3 May – 16 August 2021 will enjoy the submission fee waiver.
All submissions from 17 – 27 August 2021 will have to pay a submission fee of USD$25.
For more information on the film submission, please visit: https://www.sgiff.com/call-for-entry-2021/
32nd SGIFF Call for Entry: Southeast Asian Film Lab
Open to first-time feature filmmakers from Southeast Asia, the six-day Southeast Asian Film Lab explores Southeast Asian stories for development into feature length screenplays. It includes masterclasses, networking opportunities, individual consultations, and an industry pitch for the most promising project prize that will be awarded at the Silver Screen Awards.
Previous Film Lab Head Mentors include Terence Chang (Hong Kong, USA), Anurag Kashyap (India), Philip Lee (Hong Kong, USA), Yongyoot Thongkongtoon (Thailand), Michel Reilhac (France) and Shozo Ichiyama (Japan). Southeast Asian Film Lab projects have gone on to thrive in other prestigious workshops and markets, such as SEAFIC, TorinoFilmLab, Cannes L’Atelier and the Asian Project Market.
All applications must be submitted by 27 August 2021, 6pm (GMT+8).
The Southeast Asian Film Lab is part of SGIFF Film Academy.
32nd SGIFF Call for Entry: Youth Jury & Critics Programme
Open to youths in Singapore, the Youth Jury & Critics Programme aims to nurture a new generation of critical writers on Asian cinema. Participants will learn the significance of Southeast Asian works, the benefits of film theory and close readings of films, different interview approaches; as well as write for the Festival’s Live online film journal, Stories. The Youth Jury will also vote for the Youth Jury Prize-winning film. One of the participants will also receive the Young Critic Award, awarded for originality of writing and for their contribution to cinematic discussions in the region.
Previous years’ mentors include film critic Kong Rithdee (Thailand), film academic Dr. Victor Fan (UK), film academic and curator Dr. May Adadol Ingawanij (Thailand), filmmaker and critic Kevin B. Lee (Germany), and film critic Chris Fujiwara (Japan).
All applications must be submitted by 27 August 2021, 6pm (GMT+8).
The Youth Jury & Critics Programme is part of SGIFF Film Academy.
32nd SGIFF Call for Entry: Southeast Asian Producer’s Network
Open to producers from Southeast Asia, The Southeast Asian Producer’s Network is a platform for the exchange of ideas and opportunities for collaboration. In an intimate closed-door setting, invited Southeast Asian producers with projects in development will share the process of developing their works – the unknowns, shortfalls, and possibilities of stretching the potential of their work.
Previous years’ guests include speakers from SEAFIC, Director, Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, Locarno Open Doors, IMDA and Film Development Council of the Philippines.
All applications must be submitted by 27 August 2021, 6pm (GMT+8).
The Southeast Asian Producer’s Network is part of SGIFF Film Academy.
The SGIFF Film Academy (SFA) is the region’s first holistic training initiative to support Southeast Asian film talents and nurture film appreciation among the audience. A launch pad for mentorship, exchange of ideas and strengthening film literacy, the developmental programmes – Southeast Asian Producer’s Network, Southeast Asian Film Lab, Youth Jury & Critics Programme, SGIFF Film Fund, and Film Immersion Programme for Schools – aim to enhance the capabilities of the regional film scene collectively.
Founded in 1987, the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is the largest and longest-running film event in Singapore. It has become an iconic event in the local arts calendar that is widely attended by international film critics; and known for its dynamic programming and focus on ground-breaking Asian cinema for Singapore and the region. Committed to nurturing and championing local and regional talent, its competition component, the Silver Screen Awards, brings together emerging filmmakers from Asia and Southeast Asia while paying tribute to acclaimed cinema legends.
With its mentorship programmes, masterclasses and dialogues with attending filmmakers, the Festival also serves as a catalyst for igniting public interest, artistic dialogue, and culture exchanges in the art of filming. The SGIFF is organized by the Singapore International Film Festival Ltd, a non-profit organization with Institution of a Public Character (IPC) status.
The 32nd edition of SGIFF will return from 25 Nov – 5 Dec 2021.
For more information, please visit https://www.sgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @SGIFFest and on Facebook @sginternationalfilmfestival.
Ping Looi
Senior Marketing Manager
M: +65 9855 2021
E: ping@sgiff.com
Olivia Lin
Senior Marketing Executive
M: +65 9748 9246
E: olivia.lin@sgiff.com