SIFF 2009 TO honour singapore features

The Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF) which runs from 14 - 25 April 2009 will, for the first time, hand out awards for Singapore made features this year. The Singapore Film Awards, presented as part of the festival’s Silver Screen Awards section, will honour the best film; best director; best screenplay; best performance; and best cinematography.

The SIFF screens over 200 films of all genres from over 45 countries, with a focus on groundbreaking Asian cinema. Under the umbrella of the Silver Screen Awards, SIFF recognises excellence in Asian cinema with its three awards categories - Asian Film Competition, Singapore Short Film Competition and the new Singapore Film Awards.

This year, the SIFF will present a special showcase of films celebrating 25 Years of the Thai Film Archive and a tribute to Israeli filmmaker Amos Gitai. The Amos Gitai Retrospective will showcase the celebrated filmmaker’s more recent films, including his latest, One Day You’ll Understand which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival 2008.

Opening the festival is Sincerely Yours, the debut feature film of Taiwanese director, Rich Lee which explores the plight of illegal foreign workers in Taiwan. ASIAIMAGE

Singapore Film Awards Nominees for Best Film • 12 Lotus • 18 Grams of Love • Kallang Roar The Movie • Lucky7 • A Month of Hungry Ghosts • Rule #1 Nominees for Best Director • 12 Lotus: Royston Tan • 18 Grams of Love: Han Yew Kwang • Money No Enough 2: Jack Neo • Rule #1: Kelvin Tong Nominees for Best Screenplay • 18 Grams of Love: Han Yew Kwang • Hashi: Sherman Ong • Rule #1: Kelvin Tong Nominees for Best Performance • 12 Lotus: Liu Ling Ling • 12 Lotus: Qi Yu Wu • Kallang Roar The Movie: Lim Kay Siu • The Leap Years: Wong Li Lin • Lucky7: Sunny Pang • Money No Enough 2: Mark Lee Nominees for Best Cinematography • 12 Lotus: Alan Yap • The Days: John Lim Beng Huat • Lucky7: Roszali Samad, Brian Gothong Tan, Sharon Loh, Jaye Neo, Cain Chui, Andrew Mark Sobrielo, Chris Yeo Siew Hua, Adrian Lo