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SINGAPORE : Last year was a tough time for the Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF). But like the themes of optimism and hope that are found in this year's selection of movies, the team behind it are looking at the brighter side of things.
According to founder Geoff Malone, the 23rd edition of the festival, which runs from April 15 to 24, will be "business as usual".
The SIFF has undergone radical changes in recent months.
The successful 2009 edition was later overshadowed by the controversial departures of three key members last July: Its two new festival co-directors, Zhang Wenjie and Yuni Hadi, and board member Jasmine Ng, who cited differences with remaining board members Malone and Philip Cheah.
Last November, poet and educator Kirpal Singh and Audrey Wong were appointed new board member and festival manager, respectively.
There will always be challenges in setting up a festival but they've "now got an excellent team", said Singh.
The festival will comprise some 200 films from 36 countries, including 18 Asian premieres and 12 world premieres.
Among the films included are "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo", which is based on the novel by the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson; Jim Jarmusch's "The Limits Of Control"; Lukas Moodysson's "Mammoth"; and opening film "Mao's Last Dancer" by Oscar-nominated Australian director Bruce Beresford, which tells the true story of Chinese ballet dancer Li Cunxin's defection to America.
Singh added that they will also be "taking the festival to the people", citing SIM University in Clementi as one of the screening venues.
One glaring change is a smaller presence of South-east Asian films, which has long been considered one of the festival's main strengths.
"It is the purpose of the festival to highlight South-east Asia and Singapore, but it's also a matter of what good films are available internationally," explained Malone.
The line-up for festival guests is still being finalised and, added Malone, it may include an "Oscar-nominated actor".
Tickets for the festival go on sale on March 26. More details can be found at www.filmfest.org.sg.
- TODAY/il
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