Outstanding Contribution to Southeast Asian Cinema Award

The Outstanding Contribution to Southeast Asian Cinema Award recognises an individual’s or organisation’s special contribution to Southeast Asian cinema. Besides film production, the award takes into consideration achievements such as resource-building, heritage preservation and cultural promotion. Past recipients include Southeast Asia Fiction Film Lab (2021), In-Docs (2022) and White Light Post (2023).

This year’s selection committee consists of filmmaker Amir Muhammad (Malaysia), film producer Bianca Balbuena (Philippines), curator Silke Schmickl (Germany/Hong Kong) and filmmaker Sompot Chidgasornpongse (Thailand).

OBJECTIFS

Names as credited in the photo from left to right: Lim Ming Rui, Ryan Chua, Leong Puiyee, Chelsea Chua, Emmeline Yong, Geraldine Cheng, Jesstine Seah, Tiffany Nah, Eunice Oh

Photo credit: Deanna Ng

Established in 2003, Objectifs is a visual arts space in Singapore that is dedicated to film and photography. It aims to cultivate original voices in visual storytelling, and to inspire and broaden perspectives through the power of images. It presents a year-round programme of exhibitions, screenings, workshops, talks, mentorships and residencies, aimed at fostering dialogue on visual culture and advancing the practice and appreciation of photography and film.

Over the last 21 years, Objectifs has been championing Southeast Asian cinema. Its many mentorship and educational initiatives, like the Short Film Incubator and Film Programmers Lab, have nurtured a generation of filmmakers, writers and producers across the region. Through its distribution and curatorial efforts, Objectifs has brought short films to local and international festivals, broadcast, schools, airlines and its online Short Film Library. Objectifs continues to advocate for original visual storytelling from the region, and is proud to be part of the vibrant and wonderfully supportive film community in Southeast Asia.