Non-profit arts group Singapore Indian Theatre & Film Explorers (SITFE) is organising indBOX Film Festival (iBFF), the first film festival dedicated to celebrating Singapore Indian productions. Held from 15 to 17 August 2025, in conjunction with the nation’s 60th anniversary, the festival will feature screenings, masterclasses, workshops, and panel discussions. Singapore President Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam will launch the event on 15 August.
Storytelling – a national cultural imperative
To Saleem Hadi, founder and festival director, storytelling is a cultural imperative. He said: “If we don’t tell our stories, who would? If we don’t take the effort to invest time and energy in archiving our own stories, why then complain when people forget our significance in entirety?”.
“As Singapore evolves, so too must its historical record. Our stories deserve space in the national memory. We have contributed and are still contributing to the building of Singapore,” he added.
The festival builds on the foundation laid by THEINDBOX.SG, which according to Saleem, is “Singapore’s only digital archive of Indian short films”. Launched in 2018 with support from the National Heritage Board, indBOX has hosted screenings, talks, and appreciation series, and has steadily grown its community of creators and audiences.
“We have contributed and are still contributing to the building of Singapore.”
– IndBOX Film Festival founder & director,
Mr Saleem Hadi
Challenges in awareness and support
However, Saleem noted many challenges regarding support for the festival and in raising awareness on local productions: “Lots more needs to be done. This is a national initiative that sadly isn’t getting the attention it deserves.” He expresses disappointment that, despite extensive grant applications, no government agencies have come on board. “We were not given a single valid reason why our applications were rejected,” he added.
The festival aims to preserve the cultural expressions of Singapore’s diverse Indian community e.g., Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Punjabi, and others. “These are more than artistic expressions; they are cultural records, bridges between generations, and affirmations of identity,” he said.
“Films remain one of the most powerful, accessible, and resonant platforms through which these voices can be heard, celebrated, and preserved,” he added.
“Lots more needs to be done. This is a national initiative that sadly isn’t getting the attention it deserves.”
– IndBOX Film Festival founder & director,
Mr Saleem Hadi
Donation to indBOX Film Festival
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