Queens of Art

EMILY J HOE

Executive director, Singapore International Film Festival

Emily J Hoe had an unusual start to her new job. She took over as executive director of the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) from Yuni Hadi in April, just as circuit breaker measures were being introduced in Singapore and started working from home. And she has her work cut out for her. The 31st edition of the largest and longest-running film event in Southeast Asia, which remains an important platform for Asian premieres highlighting local filmmakers, will run from November 26 to December 6. “One of the priorities has been to keep the team focused on contingency planning, seeing as there’s so much uncertainty in the coming months,” says Hoe. Despite this, she hopes to bring the love of local and regional film to the wider community. She shares her notes on independent filmmakers and the changing face of film festivals.

On the new wave of local creatives

“We’ve seen confident voices and collaborative impact from the younger generation of filmmakers and producers in Singapore. Recent notable achievements included Huang Junxiang and Jerrold Chong’s animation work, screened at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2019; Anthony Chen’s Yeo Yann Yann won Best Actress at the Golden Horse Awards 2019—was produced by Tan Si En; and Shoki Lin’s short film a Cannes Cinéfondation 2019 selection, was mentored by Nicole Midori Woodford. There’s also a and Lei Yuan Bin’s that speak of the times we live in.”