Aamir Khan Honored at Singapore Film Fest

The 37th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) will honor Indian actor, director, and producer Aamir Khan with its prestigious Screen Icon Award. This recognition coincides with a special screening of his film "Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India." The festival is set to open with the South Korean thriller "The Assassin(s)," directed by Hur Jin-ho.

Further cementing its commitment to Asian cinema, SGIFF will present its Cinema Honorary Award to Japanese filmmaker Kore-eda Hirokazu, featuring a screening of his work "Look Back." Festival executive director Jeremy Chua highlighted the inclusion of respected talents and innovative presentation formats, alongside an enhanced industry program and a new section exploring creativity and technology.

The festival program will include "In Conversation With" sessions featuring notable figures like Shim Eun-kyung, Peter Chan Ho-sun, and Anthony Wong. The lineup also prominently features more than 25 Singaporean productions and co-productions that have gained acclaim at international festivals such as Cannes and Sundance, underscoring the vibrant and internationally competitive nature of Singapore's film industry.

Enhancing its support for filmmakers, the SGIFF Film Fund returns with renewed backing from the Tan Ean Kiam Foundation for its Southeast Asian Documentary and Short Film Grants. New initiatives like the Junior Explorers section for younger audiences and expanded industry programs under SGIFF Pro aim to further engage diverse audiences and foster international co-production. The festival runs from October 21 to November 1.