Singapore International Film Festival 2024 to open with Stranger Eyes, Rebecca Lim named first-ever ambassador
SGIFF 2024 will award its highest accolade, the Cinema Honorary Award, to Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. This marks Panahi’s first time attending SGIFF in person following the recent lifting of his 14-year travel ban.
He was previously awarded best director and given the Special Jury award at SGIFF 1998.
Panahi will also appear in an exclusive dialogue session, where he will reflect on his personal experiences and challenges. Some of his films, including The Circle, This Is Not A Film and Crimson Gold, will be showcased at the festival.
In a statement, Panahi called it “an incredible honour” to receive the Cinema Honorary Award.
“I’m immensely thankful for the recognition, and I look forward to witnessing the next steps in SGIFF’s remarkable journey.”
Thong Kay Wee, SGIFF’s programme director, added: “Jafar Panahi and his body of work stands as a testament to how cinema can serve as a powerful tool for personal, political and artistic freedom, even when it is created in unfree conditions. His films not only illuminate stories of resistance and change, but also embody boundless creativity and a fiercely independent spirit, pushing the boundaries of what cinema can achieve. We are honoured to celebrate his remarkable contributions to Asian cinema, and are excited to finally welcome him back to SGIFF after more than two decades.”
The full lineup of SGIFF 2024, as well as its ticketing information, will be announced from Oct 28.
