The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) has appointed Taiwanese film curator, Kuo Ming-Jung, as its new Programme Director to lead the Festival alongside Executive Director, Yuni Hadi.
Entering its 30th edition, the Festival continues its commitment to grow the independent film ecosystem in Southeast Asia through the introduction of the SGIFF Film Academy. It will bring together the Festival developmental programmes under one umbrella to support the growth in expertise and experience of Southeast Asian film talents while elevating the level of cinematic appreciation among film lovers.
New programming leadership at SGIFF
A previous Programme Consultant of SGIFF, Ming-Jung takes over from Thai filmmaker and critic, Pimpaka Towira, to lead the Festival’s film curation and programmes. Pimpaka will continue to lend her expertise as one of the Festival’s Programme Consultants.
An experienced film industry professional, Ming-Jung was the Programme Director at Taipei Film Festival from 2014 to 2018. She has also served on several juries and selection panels including at Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, International Film Festival Rotterdam, and Locarno Film Festival.
Recipients of SGIFF Film Fund announced
The Festival also announced its shortlist of seven compelling short films and documentaries from Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam which will receive its inaugural SGIFF Film Fund. Comprising Tan Ean Kiam Foundation-SGIFF Southeast Asian Documentary Grant (SEADOC) and SGIFF Southeast Asian Short Film Grant (SEA-SHORTS), the fund will help support the development and production of these stories to build the region’s portfolio. The strong entries received also prompted the jury panel to award the Grant to an additional short film – Nursery Rhymes by Singapore filmmaker Michael Kam.
The SGIFF Film Fund is part of the SGIFF Film Academy (SFA) umbrella, 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 literary, the developmental programmes – Southeast Asian Producers Network, Southeast Asian Film Lab, Youth Jury & Critics Programme, SGIFF Film Fund, New Waves, Film Immersion Programme for Schools and Film Navigation Programme – will enhance the capabilities of the regional film scene collectively.
Veteran producer and transmedia filmmaker, Michel Reilhac, will take on the role as Head Mentor for the 2019 Southeast Asian Film Lab, bringing his experience as Head of Studies at the Venice Biennale College and former Executive Director of Arte France Cinema. He will work alongside two Lab Mentors – Hong Kong film producer, Teresa Kwong and Thai film editor, Lee Chatametikool. This year’s Youth Jury & Critics Programme will also be led by esteemed Thai film critic, Kong Rithdee.
The 30th SGIFF will run from 21 November to 1 December 2019. Its call for entries for Feature and Short Films, Southeast Asian Film Lab, and Youth Jury & Critics Programme is now open and will continue till 19 August 2019.
SGIFF is an event of the Singapore Media Festival (SMF), hosted by Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA). SGIFF 2019’s Official Sponsors include Official Red Carpet Venue Capitol Theatre and Official Hotel Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.
