Singapore Fest Honors Japanese Master Kore-eda

The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is set to honor acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Kore-eda Hirokazu with its prestigious Cinema Honorary Award. This year's festival, the 37th edition, will run from October 21 to November 1, featuring a special presentation of Kore-eda's new film 'Look Back' on October 24, marking its Southeast Asia premiere. Kore-eda will also participate in an 'In Conversation With' session where he will receive his award.

Joining him in a significant role is Korean director Yim Soon-rye, who will serve as the jury head for the Asian Feature Film Competition. Yim will also speak at SGIFF Industry Days on October 27. This year's SGIFF Industry Days, part of the festival's industry arm SGIFF Pro, has been expanded to four days, including new programs like Off Campus and the Pitching Forum.

Kore-eda, known for his intimate family dramas such as the Palme d'Or-winning 'Shoplifters,' 'Broker,' and 'Monster,' continues to be a prominent figure in Asian cinema. The festival's expanding industry programs aim to foster connections and explore new frontiers in filmmaking, including initiatives focused on AI and immersive technology.