The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is accepting feature & short films (until September 3rd, 2021), Projects for their Southeast Asian Film Lab; critics for the Youth Jury & Critics Programme; and for the first-time producers for the Southeast Asian Producer Network (until September 10th, 2021).

About the festival:
The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is the largest and longest running film event in Singapore. Founded in 1987 by Geoffrey Malone and L. Leland Whitney, the Festival focuses on showcasing international films and providing a global platform for the best of Singapore cinema. Over the decades, it has grown to become an iconic date in the Singapore arts calendar. With its focus on groundbreaking Asian cinema, this prestigious event is known for its dynamic programming and commitment to the development of a vibrant local film culture.

Feature Film & Short Film Submissions:

General Rules:
– Feature films entries MUST be from Asia.
– Short films entries MUST be from Southeast Asia.
– Festival accepts feature films (above 60 minutes) and short films (less than 30 minutes).
– Films must not have premiered earlier than 1 September 2020.
– Films must at least be a Singapore premiere, meaning entries must not have been broadcasted on TV, made available on the Internet or screened publicly in Singapore in any way prior to the Festival.
– Priority will be given to World, International and Asian premieres.
– First (1st) to third (3rd) feature films directed by a filmmaker of Asian nationality or origin will be considered for the “Asian Feature Film Category”; and short films directed by a filmmaker of Southeast Asian nationality or origin, will be considered for the “Southeast Asian Short Film Category”. These are “in competition” sections.
– Films in any other language other than English must have English subtitles.
– Submissions must be done via the Singapore International Film Festival website (see link below).
– Submission Fees:
– Early Bird Submission (May 3rd – August 16th, 2021): FREE
– Regular Submission (August 17th – 27th, 2021): $ 25 USD
– Deadline: September 3rd, 2021 (6:00 pm GMT + 8)
– Notification date: Mid-October 2021.

SGIFF Southeast Asian Film Lab
The Southeast Asian Film Lab provides a nurturing and collaborative space for Southeast Asian filmmakers who are embarking on their first feature-length film project. During the Film Lab, filmmakers will receive personal feedback from mentors and hear from fellow filmmakers as they share their experiences and insights. The programme will end with the filmmakers pitching to a panel of industry experts

General Rules:
– Applicant must be a screenwriter and/or writer/director of at least 1 short film that has been screened in international film festivals.
– Applicant must be of Southeast Asian nationality, origin or residence.
– Applicant must not have made a feature length film before.
– Project submitted should still be at an early stage, and have not been developed beyond a first draft screenplay.
– If you have submitted a project for a prior edition of the Film Lab, the applicant should include a statement of what has been reworked or what developments have been made.
– A feature-length screenplay is a work of fiction or non-fiction that serves as the blueprint for a film that equals or exceeds 60 minutes in length including opening and end credits.
– A treatment outlines the story of a project in a manner more detailed than the synopsis and reads like a short story, told in the present tense and describing events as they happen and may include details of directorial style.
– (OPTIONAL) An estimated production budget states how much it will cost to make a project from development through to completion. The budget should reflect the expected expenses incurred in all the dierent departments, including but not limited to actor’s fees, equipment rental, art department, location expenses, and post production. This should reflect what the project should cost to make, not what you want it to cost.
– All entries must contain: a completed online submission form, portfolio screener and project information.
– Films in any other language other than English must have English subtitles.
– Once a project is selected, the applicant will not be able to withdraw the project from SGIFF Southeast Asian Film Lab.
-Workshops will be conducted in English; knowledge of English is essential in order to participate.
– Submission Fee: FREE
– Deadline: September 10th, 2021 (6:00 pm GMT + 8)
– Notification date: Mid-September 2021.

SGIFF Youth Jury & Critics Programme
The Youth Jury & Critics Programme aims to nurture new film critics who can contribute to Southeast Asian film culture and discourse. This programme provides the opportunity for mentorship in the art of film criticism, while invited speakers also enrich the learning experience by sharing about di‑erent types of critics, their role in film culture and what it is like to have a career as a film critic.

In the lead-up to and during the Festival, the young critics’ articles and/or video essays will be published on SGIFF’s Film Academy journal, Stories. The programme will culminate in the young jurors awarding the Youth Jury Prize to one of the films competing in the Southeast Asian Short Film Competition during the Silver Screen Awards.

General Rules:
– Must be based in Singapore.
– Open to applicants aged 14 to 35 years based in Singapore.
– Keen interest in films from Southeast Asia, basic knowledge of film theory and critical writing, rudimentary knowledge of camera/sound equipment and editing software.
– Once selected, the applicant must confirm that they will commit to the time commitment required by the Youth Jury & Critics Programme.
– Workshops will be conducted in English; knowledge of English is essential in order to participate.
– Submission Fee: FREE
– Deadline: September 10th 2021 (6:00 pm GMT + 8)
– Notification date: Mid-September 2021.

Southeast Asian Producers 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.

General Rules:
– Applicant must be a producer of at least 2 short films that have travelled internationally and/or is currently producing a feature film which has the intention and potential for international co-production.
– Applicant must be of Southeast Asian nationality, origin or residence.
– Applicant must provide either the link to 2 short films, which have travelled internationally, and/or their project dossiers about the current feature film they are producing.
– The SGIFF Southeast Asian Producers Network only accepts a secure online link of the portfolio work being submitted.
– Films in any other language other than English must have English subtitles.
– Workshops will be conducted in English; knowledge of English is essential in order to participate.
– Submission Fee: FREE
– Deadline: September 10th , 2021 (6:00 pm GMT + 8)
– Notification date: Mid-October 2021.

To read the full Rules & Regulations please go to this link: https://sgiff.com/call-for-entry-2021  (This is also the submission link)

We remind readers that the 32nd Singapore International Film Festival will take place from November 25th – December 5th (2021) in Singapore.