I am, and I have been, extremely blessed, for more than four decades now, to be able to do what I love, in both the professional as well as personal dimensions of my life. One of the things I treasure the most, is when a new friend or a new collaboration partner continues with me and my team, beyond the first encounter or experience.

The Singapore Film Society worked with the High Commission of India for the first time, in 2025, to jointly organise the inaugural Indian Film Festival in Singapore. The national cinema output and heritage of India, of course, needs no introduction. Its well-deserved reputation for being the most prolific in terms of number and quality of movies has made Indian films among the world’s highest-accomplished and widest-released. Why, then, is a film festival still necessary and catalytic? Because, for a country that makes such a vast pool of incredible audio-visual media content, there are still so many great works that audiences in Singapore have not yet had the opportunity to watch on the big screen. Nowadays, there is a proliferation of distribution and consumption platforms of which consumers can avail themselves. However, none can compare with the immersive wondrousness and completeness of the shared viewing experience in a good movie theatre.

We are, therefore, privileged and thrilled to be able to again present our Indian Film Festival in Golden Village cinemas at Suntec City – the place that has become Singapore’s go-to venue for the widest variety of great films from all over the world, with facilities and convenience of access that are second to none.

I believe film buffs from all walks of life in Singapore will relate to and be uplifted by the splendid selection of movies representing such a rich and fascinating tapestry of the creative and expressive genius of Indian movie talent.

I warmly wish one and all a most fulfilling time at the Indian Film Festival 2026!

KENNETH TAN

Chairman

Singapore Film Society