We know film fans are already marking their calendars for the upcoming A Design Film Festival in September, but there are equally exciting film festivals happening in August that are worth checking out, too. The Big Apple’s popular Bicycle Film Festival will debut in town, while the Tibet Film Festival will feature some rare docs previously not shown here. Here’s what not to miss:
First Take (Aug 3)
This showcase featuring first films by emerging local filmmakers is where you can spot the next Eric Khoo or Royston Tan. From essayistic pieces to more avant-garde entries, the breadth of works featured are usually quite impressive. Plus, there are Q&As held after each screening.
Films at the Fort (Aug 14-23)
A great way to catch commercial gems like The Shawshank Redemption and The Imitation Game amid an outdoor park setting. Plus, there are also documentaries like the Singapore premiere of Walking Under Water, about the Bajao people of the Mabul Islands and their seafaring nomadic lifestyle.
Bicycle Film Festival (Aug 20-22)
The film festival debuts in town with a bunch of bike-related films, including the acclaimed Clean Spirit. There are also bicycle art installations and photography works by emerging Asian talents showcased at the fest.
Spotlight on Singapore Cinema (Aug 20-23)
Catch five iconic local films from the ’50s through ’70s here. They include Hokkien opera Taming of the Princess, Malay action-drama Chu Chu Datok Merah and Indian rom-com Ninaithale Inikkum.
Tibet Film Festival (Aug 29-30)
Catch indie Tibetan films for free, including Kashem Gyal’s Valley of the Heroes and Pema Tseden’s The Sacred Arrow. The directors will also be in town to share insights about their methods and experiences after each screening.
