We believe that movies have the unparalleled potential to educate and unite folks from all backgrounds. We envision a society where everyone has equal exposure to meaningful and necessary movies, and the platform to share their voices and opinions.
Film is our favourite medium, and it can be yours too.
We’re your gateway to the
freshest films, events & news
If you love films,
you’ll find your tribe amongst us
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on the stories that matter to you
17 October 1954
At 6.30pm on Sunday,
Singapore Film Society met for the first time (on record) at the British Council Hall, Stamford Road.
We printed a shout-out in the papers to welcome all who were “interested in the screening of classical films”. Yes, we were loud and public from jump street.
14 November 1954
Our first screening set the wheels of history spinning at the British Council Hall, under the chairmanship of Mr Eric Mottram.
We had to turn away close to 100 people for the screening of The Blue Angel (1930). This overwhelming response was proof that the nation needed the Singapore Film Society more than we had ever imagined…
Fun Fact #1
Our society had its informal beginnings in 1948.
We disbanded temporarily after years of financial difficulties and secret screenings in members’ homes on 16mm projectors.
1954 was our come-back year, and we’ve been growing ever since!
The Singapore Film Society was officially registered as a society under the Societies Ordinance, a precursor to the Societies Act.
Our first official base was the University Guild House of the former University of Malaya, on 50 Evans Road.
Yes, we’re even older than Singapore!
We built a strong foundation, collected film-lovers and kicked into motion a community that consistently brought in regular screenings of exceptional films.
We’ve been going strong ever since.
This decade brought the genesis of collaborations with embassies and the start of long-running film festivals.
Today, Singapore Film Society is the largest organiser and collaborator of film events and festivals.
Fun Fact #2
All our committee members were trained to operate 16mm projectors!
We were heavily hands-on behind the scenes from the start.
The Society quickly became the beacon of internationalising film offerings in Singapore.
The esteemed Goethe Institut became our base of operations till 1999.
Japanese Film Festival
The Japanese Embassy approached us back in 1983.
Today, despite multiple changes in the board of diplomats, Singapore Film Society leads with guiding hands.
It’s one of our annual festivals that we make bigger and better every year!
British Film Festival
Our first-ever festival collaboration with the British Council was an annual affair that came to an end 2 decades on.
The end of the festival marked a full circle as it catalyzed the take-up rate of British-centric films in mainstream cinema.
French Film Festival
Alliance Française de Singapour first brought us on to collaborate in 1986.
Yellow Earth (1984)
We successfully appealed to lift the ban for Chen Kaige’s Yellow Earth (1984) and subsequently screened the film.
Italian Film Festival
We came on board to collaborate. Our first involvement brought the screenings of works from the Taviani brothers.
European Union Film Festival
Though EUFF started in 1990, we came on board a year later.
Since then, we have been the only source of institutionalized continuity of the organization; diplomats, admin staff etc. have changed over the years, but we’ve kept it steady and ensured the growth of the festivals and the members.
Ajin: The Story of a Stuntwoman (1996)
We held a screening of Ajin: The Story of a Stuntwoman that was starred and graced by Michelle Yeow in the flesh.
Trainspotting (1996)
We brought in and successfully screened a completely uncut version while commercial releases had 4 cuts.
By the end of the 90s, we had become synonymous with film festivals, especially country- or region- centric film festivals, and were involved in varying degrees with the British, French, German, Italian, European Union, Israeli, Sri Lankan, Japanese, Mandarin, Australian, Mexican, and Swedish film festivals.
Singapore Chinese Film Festival
In partnership with Singapore University of Social Sciences, we initiated this festival to promote the appreciation of Chinese cinema, culture, and values.
Today, it’s the second largest film festival in Singapore, and Singapore Film Society’s largest annual event.
MINDS Film Festival
was inaugurated, with the aim of raising awareness for persons with intellectual disabilities (PWIDs).
The festival is a testament to the powerful ability of film to promote social impact. Through the Festival, we hope to build an inclusive community for our differently-abled friends.
ACCA Ethics Film Festival was launched, aiming to promote conversations amongst the public and private sectors about Ethics – an integral principle of any finance professional.
This unique festival is so successful that it has expanded to various countries around the world.
Before We Forget (2017)
In our first ever commercial distribution project, we coordinated the release of Jess Teong’s Before We Forget (2017).
Beyond just releasing it in cinemas, we also coordinated the marketing campaign which included island-wide tours of the stars from the film.
20 October 2018
We celebrated our 60th anniversary with a screening of Shirkers (2018), by Singapore’s Sandi Tan.
It was graced by the cast and crew, Ben Harrison (the soundtrack artist for the original never-made film), Weish (of .gif), and DPM Heng Swee Keat, who used to be a member of our society back in the day!
20 December 2018
In collaboration with Netflix, we organised a theatrical screening of ROMA, with internationally renowned director Alfonso Cuarón, who flew into Singapore for a dialogue session with the audience.
Local director Boo Junfeng moderated the Q&A and the audience was able to gain exclusive insight to behind-the-scenes of ROMA.
60-Years-Old doesn’t mean we’re old-fashioned. We’re constantly breaking the norm.
Today, we have a well-developed committee of youths, volunteers and online events to tide through the COVID-19 cinema closure period and any other challenges that come our way.
Singapore Film Society
has and always will be all-welcoming. Nowhere else will you see a society with such a varied following of members, all passionately connected.
Wanna join us? Send us a message and we’ll chat!
With over 6 decades of experience as a non-profit organisation, we have amassed a highly skilled and diverse team of professionals, both in career and in attitude.
Link up with any of us! We love to chat.
