33rd Singapore International Film Festival Concludes, 'Autobiography' Takes Top Prize
- By Hood Mahadi
- Dec 5, 2022
- 2 min read
The 33rd Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) drew to a successful close, concluding 11 days of vibrant cinematic celebration and cultural exchange. Running from November 24 to December 4, 2022, the festival presented a robust program of 101 films from 55 countries, marking a significant and triumphant return to a full physical festival experience.
Under the leadership of Executive Director Emily J. Hoe and Program Director Thong Kay Wee, this edition of SGIFF emphasized fresh and inclusive perspectives, reinforcing its role as a vital platform for independent cinema in Southeast Asia and beyond. The program featured diverse sections, including the newly introduced 'Altitude' and 'Horizon' categories, alongside 'Singapore Panorama,' 'Foreground,' 'Standpoint,' and 'Domain,' offering audiences a comprehensive cinematic journey. The festival notably opened with "Assault," a Central Asian film, underscoring SGIFF's dedication to showcasing diverse regional voices.
The culmination of the festival was the prestigious Silver Screen Awards ceremony, where an esteemed international jury recognized outstanding achievements in Asian and Southeast Asian cinema.
Asian Feature Film Competition:
Best Asian Feature Film: "Autobiography" (Indonesia, France, Germany, Poland, Singapore, Philippines, Qatar) directed by Makbul Mubarak.
Best Director: Laha Mebow for "Gaga" (Taiwan). The jury praised Mebow for creating a "drama of great warmth and sensitivity" and for beautifully guiding an ensemble cast of non-professional actors.
Best Performance: Zukhara Sanzysbay for "Convenience Store" (Russia, Slovenia, Turkey).
Special Mention: "Arnold Is a Model Student" (Thailand, Singapore, France, Netherlands, Philippines) directed by Sorayos Prapapan.
Southeast Asian Short Film Competition:
Best Southeast Asian Short Film: "Vania on Lima Street" (Indonesia) by Bayu Prihantoro Filemon.
Best Singapore Short Film: "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" (Singapore) by Alvin Lee.
Best Director: Le Lam Vien for "Fix Anything" (Vietnam).
Best Performance: Bopha Oul for "Further and Further Away" (Cambodia).
Special Mention: "Dikit" (Philippines) by Gabriela Serrano.
The 33rd SGIFF reaffirmed its commitment to fostering real connections through open dialogue and championing independent films that tell fascinating stories from Asia and beyond.
For more information on the 33rd Singapore International Film Festival, please visit:
Official SGIFF Website: https://sgiff.com/