Cover Photo: Nicole Midori Woodford

Step aside, Hollywood. Singapore has our fair share of young filmmaking talents—and you can discover the works of some of them at the ongoing Singapore International Film Festival 2022

The Singapore film industry has been nothing short of exciting over the years. Local audiences would be familiar with Anthony Chen, the director of Ilo Ilo (2013), Singapore's highly acclaimed film export, which garnered international attention and received the Golden Hose Award for Best Narrative Feature, among many other honours. 

Read more: Singaporean Film Director Anthony Chen on Making Movies in a Lockdown

The cinematic wave in Singapore has inspired many local professional and aspiring filmmakers to use their talents to communicate the unique Singapore story. More often that not, the local film industry boasts a rich collection of avant-garde films, including Tiong Bahru Social Club (2020). The film, directed by Tan Bee Thiam, was selected as the opening film for the 31st Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) back in 2020.

Here are five local filmmakers you should have your eye on:

1. He Shuming

A graduate of Puttnam School of Film and Animation at Lasalle College of The Arts, He received the Media Education Scheme (Film) Scholarship Award by the then-Media Development Authority. 

He has gone on to produce many notable short films, including Homecoming (2016) which was commissioned by the National Heritage Board about the residents of Pulau Ubin, as well as Boon Lay Place (2017) and Rehearsal (2018), both of which was in collaboration with the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore.

You may also recognise his name as the director of Ajoomma (2022), which has garnered international attention. Selected as Singapore’s entry to the 2023 Academy Awards, the film follows a story of the trials and tribulations of motherhood.

Read more: ‘Ajoomma’ Director He Shuming on His 7-Year Journey to Producing Singapore’s Pick for Oscars 2023

An idea which was ignited after a Zoom call with his mother–her trip to South-Korea and his quest of forging a new path for himself–he embarked on the seven-year-long film project at the American Film Institute Conservatory. The film has since become his most recognised project to date.

2. Nicole Midori Woodford

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Nicole Midori Woodford website

An alumnus of Berlinale Talents, Asian Film Academy, Torino Film Lab, and Talents Tokyo, Woodford is no stranger to filmmaking. Her works often depict the struggles her female protagonists face within their roles in society. 

Her love for writing short stories has been remade into many short films, including For We Are Strangers (2015) and Permanent Resident (2017), which was selected for various festivals and Waiting Room (2018), which features real Singaporean stories. 

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 2 Still from Last Shadow At First Light
Photo 2 of 2 Still from Last Shadow At First Light

She is currently in preproduction on her debut feature film, Last Shadow at First Light. Set in both Singapore and Japan, the film examines the nature of trauma and familial relationships told through a young girl haunted by visions. Woodford hopes to capture the diverse sets ranging from urban cities to the expansive landscapes her characters are placed within.   

3. Jow Zhi Wei

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Lasalle College of the Arts

A recipient of the prestigious Young Artist Award and Cultural Medallion in 2014, Jow focuses his works on transposing the lesser known stories of communities on screen. 

A filmmaker with a unique talent of presenting compelling stories of lesser known aspects of Singapore society, Jow's creative and intimate method of directing informs audiences with his personal experiences.

Jow's short films have been screened and competed at many notable film festivals in Singapore and the region. His short films include Waiting (2009) and After the Winter (2015), which was selected for competition at the Cinéfondation Selection at the 66th Cannes Film Festival in France. 

Jow's debut feature film project is titled Tomorrow is a Long Time and tells the story of a middle-aged widower and his turbulent relationship with his sensitive teenage son. Set in Taiwan and Singapore, the film, at project stage, was selected to appear in Berlinale Talents Tokyo 2017 and Golden Horse Film Project Promotion 2018. 

4. Lei Yuan Bin

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: SGIFF 2022

A founding member of the film collective 13 Little Pictures, Lei was honoured with the Young Artist Award in 2012 by the National Arts Council. His talent in film production has led his films to be presented to international audiences in Berlin, Rome, Hong Kong, and more. 

The films he has directed include White Days (2009), 03-FLATS (2014), which competed in Busan, Fundamentally Happy (2015), An Autumn Afternoon (2016), and I Dream of Singapore (2019), which premiered at the Berlinale. 

His latest work is the queer film, Baby Queen (2022), which premiered recently at the Busan International Film Festival 2022.  

Baby Queen tells of the struggles of becoming comfortable in your own skin, and what it means to create a safe space in a society where it is often apprehensive of those who are different. The film is a celebration of self-acceptance following the journey of a drag queen since her debut in 2020. 

Baby Queen will be making its Southeast Asian debut along with a live drag show by the film’s featured subjects with a meet and greet after at the 33rd Singapore International Film Festival. 

5. Anshul Tiwari

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: SGIFF 2022

Singapore-based Indian director, screenwriter and editor Anshul Tiwari has more than 30 documentaries and award-winning short films under his belt.

His 2019 short film Bin Bulaaye (2009) was named Best Short Film at the 21st Mumbai Film Festival. His other short films include Wabi Sabi (2015) and Sugee Cake (2019). 

His latest work is the emotional film Before Life After Death (2022), which will be making its world premiere at the 33rd Singapore International Film Festival. 

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: SGIFF 2022

Inspired by his life experiences, the film follows a rebellious female student and a middle-aged gynaecologist and they form an unlikely bond based on mutual comfort. The film evaluates social inequalities and mental health stigma through the processes of grief and healing through the two female leads. 

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