The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is accepting Feature & Short Films, Projects for their Southeast Asian Film Lab; critics for the Youth Critics Programme; and producers for the Asian Producer Network until August 6th, 2023.

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

Singapore International Film Festival welcomes Asian films to be part of its Official Selection. Its Competition Section is open to Asian feature films and Southeast Asian short films.

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 2022.
– 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.
– Submission Fees:
* From May 11 – July 9, 2023 – No Entry Fee
* From July 10 – August 6, 2023 – USD$ 25 (non-refundable)
– Deadline: August 6, 2023 (6:00 pm GMT + 8)
– Notification date: Mid-October 2023.

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: August 6, 2023 (6:00 pm GMT + 8)
– Notification date: Mid-October 2023.

Southeast Asian Producers Network

The Asian Producers Network oers emerging producers from the region industry guidance and aims to cultivate an environment for mutual learning and resource sharing amongst its participants.

In a closed-door setting, participants can seek advice from industry experts for their developing projects and explore opportunities for collaboration with one another through a series of guest lectures, individual consultation sessions and roundtable discussions.

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.
– SGIFF will be able to provide accommodations and a flight stipend for participants.
– The SGIFF Asian Producers Network will be held on-site in Singapore. Priority will be given to participants who can attend the programme in-person.
– 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: August 6, 2023 (6:00 pm GMT + 8)
– Notification date: Mid-October 2023.

Youth Critics Programme

The Youth Critics Programme provides mentorship and encourages writing in response to the festival programme. It aims to nurture a new generation of film writers who can contribute to Asian and Southeast Asian film discourse and learn from industry experts on what it means to think and write about cinema.

General Rules:
– The SGIFF Youth Critics Programme will be held on-site in Singapore. Priority will be given to participants who can attend the programme in-person (SGIFF will not provide accommodations and flight stipends for participants).
– Open to applicants aged 18 to 35 years based in Singapore.
– Keen interest in films from Southeast Asia, basic knowledge of film theory and critical writing, and have a proven commitment to writing and/or filmmaking is desirable.
– Once selected, the applicant must confirm that they will commit to the time commitment required by the Youth Critics Programme.
– Workshops will be conducted in English; knowledge of English is essential in order to participate.
– Submission Fee: FREE
– Deadline: August 6, 2023 (6:00 pm GMT + 8)
– Notification date: Mid-October 2023.

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

We remind readers that the 34th Singapore International Film Festival will take place from November 30th – December 10th (2023) in Singapore.

To see other Call for Entries please follow the next link: “Call For Entries”.