A scene from 'Peperiskaan', featuring Angeline Tan. Photo: Handout
The 35th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is set to run from Nov 28 to Dec 8, showcasing 105 films from 45 countries, with 80% of its selections from Asia.
Among the entries are two Malaysian short films competing in the festival’s prestigious South-East Asian Short Film Competition.
One of these is Peperiskaan (Spelling Test), the latest work from emerging filmmaker Wong Tuck Hon.
Starring local actress Angeline Tan, Peperiskaan makes its world premiere at SGIFF and is competing for awards in Best South-East Asian Short Film, Best Director and Best Performance.
Peperiskaan tells the story of a 12-year-old Chinese student struggling to learn the Malay language under a strict teacher, played by Tan.
Director Wong, 24, reveals the story is inspired by his own experiences. He says that the title is purposely misspelt from the Malay word peperiksaan (which means test in English) to emphasise the film's premise.
“This story has been following me for years, and being able to premiere it at Singapore International Film Festival makes it very special for me,” Wong added in a press statement.
He added that he’s “grateful to have the opportunity to share a story that is close to me and the community I’m in” with the festival-goers.
The second Malaysian entry, Washhh, directed by Mickey Lai, is also making its Singapore debut with a 24-minute narrative.
According to The Straits Times, this year’s SGIFF focuses on themes of displacement, migration, and the impact of AI and technological transformation.
SGIFF general manager Jeremy Chua notes that “doom scrolling,” or fixation on negative news in social media, has shaped many filmmakers' narratives, capturing the cultural anxieties of our time.
This theme is seen in selections like Mongrel from Taiwan, about exploited migrant workers, and Stranger Eyes from Singapore, a thriller addressing surveillance fears.
The festival will feature Asian and international entries, including a restored version of South Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s black comedy Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000) and a retrospective on Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi.
Additional highlights include the international premieres of The Shrouds by David Cronenberg, starring Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger; The Room Next Door by Pedro Almodovar, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton; and I Saw The TV Glow, a psychological horror by Jane Schoenbrun.
For more information, visit sgiff.com.
