Top Picks: 8 Upcoming film festivals to check out in Singapore

Karen GEORGE 19 Aug 2015 updated the 6 October 2015 à 22:52

1/8
Films At The Fort
Returning for the second year since its sold out debut in 2013, Films At The Fort, presented by Casillero del Diablo is Singapore’s premier open-air cinema event to be at, combining award wining films with gourmet food and wine. Set in the natural amphitheatre of Fort Canning Park, this year’s film selections include blockbusters like Shawshank Redemption, The Imitation Game and Rocky, to name a few. The event is expected to be a sell out again so be sure to book your movie tickets as soon as possible.
When: 14 - 23 August
Where: Fort Canning Green
More details: Films at the Fort
2/8
Tibet Film Festival
Tibet and Tibetan culture is so far removed from our lives in Singapore that anything coming out of the country is sure to be an eye-opener in itself. Well, what better way to educate yourself of a country’s culture than through its very own movies. Machik, a non-profit organization working in Tibet to incubate social innovation will be hosting its very first Tibet Film Festival. Highlights include Kashem Gyal's Valley of the Heroes and Pema Tseden's The Sacred Arrow. What’s more, you’ll have a chance to meet the filmmakers themselves who are in town to promote their movies.
When: 29 - 30 August
Where: The Projector, #05-00, Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Road
More details: Machik TFF
3/8
Design Film Festival
Design buffs will be thrilled to catch the Design Film Festival which showcases movies that celebrate the value of design. The festival, organized by local design studio Anonymous will be the first to be held at the newly reopened Capitol Theatre, kicking off its 5^th edition with an impressive lineup of films like Naoshima, 808, Handmade With Love and Dior & I.
When: 5 - 13 September (Capitol Threatre), 11 - 13 September (Shaw Threatre Lido)
Where: Capitol Theatre, 13 Stamford Road, Shaw Theatre, 350 Orchard Road
More details: Design Film Festival
4/8
Singapore Myanmar Film Festival
Calls for film submissions are still ongoing for the Singapore Film Festival organized by the Singapore Myanmar Exchange to further develop the partnership between Singapore and Myanmar through the medium of film. The festival, returning for the second year around will showcase the five best submissions submitted by filmmakers from Singapore and Myanmar with audiences being able to vote for the most deserving filmmaker. In addition to the screenings, free filmmaking workshops will also be held by film veterans across Asia.
When: 8 November
Where: Golden Village, Vivocity, 1 Harbourfront Walk
More details: Singapore Myanmar Film Festival
5/8
Singapore International Film Festival
Widely regarded as the longest running film festival in Singapore, the Singapore International Film Festival founded by Geoffrey Malone and L. Leland Whitney aims to showcase international films as well as provide a global platform for the best of local cinema to get exposure and gain appreciation from film lovers the world over. Now it its 28^th year, the festival has become an important date in the Singapore arts calendar for local and international film buffs.
When: 26 November - 6 December
Where: Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
More details: SGIFF
6/8
Japanese Film Festival
If you’re a Japanese film buff, then head on down to the 22^nd edition of the Japanese Film Festival dedicated to showing Singaporeans the best Japanese films in town. This year’s festival theme is a retrospective of films by the late Okamoto Kihachi, the director behind classic like Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo, Kill!, Judo Saga and Samurai Assassin.

When: 9 July - 30 August
Where: National Museum, Gallery Theatre, 93 Stamford Road
More details: JFP Film Festival
7/8
Bicycle Film Festival
The Bicycle Film Festival is exactly what its name implies – bicycles and the art of biking. Whether it’s Tall Bike Jousting, Track Bikes, BMX, Alleycats, or Bike Polo, art of cycling is being celebrated through movies that showcase the environmental friendly humble mode of transport.
When: 20 - 22 August
Where: MAJ Aviation, 80 Seletar Aerospace View, #01-01
More details: Bicycle Film Festival
8/8
Asian Film Symposium
After a 6 year hiatus, the Asian Film Symposium is back! With a Pop Culture theme, the 2015 festival showcases short films from partner countries in South East Asia, where film programmers are invited to curate cutting edge short films from their respective countries and share them with the local audience. In addition, AFS provides a vital platform for sharing and exchange among filmmakers is provided through intimate dialogue sessions in front of the audience who will get to hear debates and discussions on topics that affect the local cinema scene.
When: 11 - 13 September
Where: Objectifs, 155 Middle Road
More details: Objectifs

Apart from shuffling from food festival to food festival, what else do you have planned this year? Well we’ve got 8 film festivals to keep you well entertained in the coming months!

Film lovers have plenty to look forward to for the rest of the year. Over the next few months, 8 film festivals will roll out the red carpet, unveil outdoor screens, and showcase new local talent that will once and for all shut the negative naysayers who think Singapore’s film scene is lacking, dismal and hardly enough of a cinematic hotbed to warrant a film festival.

To be sure, there are plenty of well-established international film festivals all over the world – Cannes and Sundance are some of the major names that come to mind, but while we applaud their celebration of cinematic achievements, we’d like to take the time to acknowledge alternative film festivals and independent film festivals, where fresh talent and up-and-coming movie directors have a chance to showcase their works.

Films are an integral part of our culture, allowing us to learn more not only about ourselves but the world beyond our borders. And the best ones are those that leave an impact on us for a long time to come. So Singaporean cinephiles, head to our gallery to take your pick of film festivals to attend.

Your laptop needs a break from movie streaming after all.

Karen George

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