The first-ever Singapore Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur will be happening from the 14th to 17th of January 2016 at Pavilion KL and 1 Utama. Presenting 10 feature films from the late 90s till present, the festival opens with the Malaysian premiere of 7 Letters (2015) – an omnibus of short films by 7 of Singapore’s most illustrious filmmakers.
Some Singaporean films to look out for include Eric Khoo’s seminal film 12 Storeys (1997) featuring Jack Neo; Ilo Ilo (2013) by Anthony Chen which won the prestigious Cannes Camera d’Or and Golden Horse Best Picture awards; and Sayang Disayang (2014) by Sanif Olek, a rare Malay-language musical film.
The supernatural thriller genre takes centre stage in Lee Thean-Jeen’s Bring Back the Dead (2015) and Ms J Contemplates Her Choice (2014) by Jason Lai. In Banting (2014), Faeryville (2015), and Innocents (2012), emerging filmmakers explore youth angst and coming-of-age with their signature trademark aesthetic. Finally, Lei Yuan Bin’s documentary feature, 03-Flats (2014) will wrap up the festival lineup.
You can also get up close with the filmmakers in post-screening Q&A sessions with Royston Tan and Sanif Olek. For curious enthusiasts, do join the public forum “Cross-Causeway Cinema: Opportunities & Challenges” where the duo will engage their Malaysian counterparts Dain Said and Liew Seng Tat to share their industry experiences and anecdotes.
The Singapore Film Festival is the finale programme of Titian Budaya and each ticket is priced at RM8. You can purchase your tickets beginning 11 January 2016 via GSC’s official website or box office.
