Project Director: Seng Yu Jin
General Manager: Adele Tan
Festival Curators: Pauline Soh and Clarissa Chikiamco
Guest Programmers: Philippe U. del Drago, Viknesh Kobinathan
National Gallery Singapore’s beloved festival dedicated to international films on art returns for its 6th edition with over 45 artist films, films on art, arthouse cinema, and restored classics.
- When: 4–14 September 2025
- Where: Various locations
Introducing the Festival
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the return of Painting with Light, now in a biennial format. This year, the Gallery’s signature film festival will present over 45 films and 36 premieres across 11 days, bringing together bold perspectives from visionary filmmakers, past and present, who care deeply about the social issues of their time.
We welcome filmmakers, film lovers, artists, art enthusiasts, and the curious seeking inspirational and thought-provoking experiences. In an age of disconnection—where content is often streamed and consumed in isolation—we invite you to step into the light and experience these films together, deepening our appreciation of art, one another, and of the world beyond.
Festival Sections
Opening Film
Magellan is an intimate portrait of the 16th century Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, starring Gael García Bernal in the titular role.
Art History, Co-authored
Art History, Co-authored presents films that explore seminal moments in art and film history.
Artist Films
Presenting films made by artists, this year includes an emphasis on early documentaries by Southeast Asian practitioners and a full-length movie independently made during the Marcos regime in the Philippines. National Gallery Singapore commissioned the digital restoration of two artists’ films on 16mm, Virgilio “Pandy” Aviado’s 1978 Footages and Briccio Santos’ Damortis, which are world premiering at Painting with Light.
Exhibition Readings
Exhibition Readings presents film programmes conceived in response to the art in the Gallery’s ongoing exhibitions.
Special Focus
The Special Focus section presents films that speak to the issues of the day. This year’s programme features the work of women filmmakers and artists who advocate for ways of being that are informed by an ethics of care. Bold, innovative, and profoundly relevant, these films ask the enduring question at the heart of artistic endeavour—what does it mean to be human?
Southeast Asian Shorts
More information on this section is coming soon.
Movement Pieces
More information on this section is coming soon.
Closing
We Are Toast is an expanded cinema performance by Mark Chua and Lam Li Shuen that utilises multiple 16mm film projectors to create a live film.
Festival Highlights
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Magellan Premieres in Singapore
Be among the first in Singapore to experience Magellan, the latest epic from acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz. Fresh from its celebrated debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, this public screening marks the highly anticipated Singapore premiere of a bold new work in contemporary cinema.
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World Premiere of Restored Artist Films
Journey into Philippine artists’ filmmaking with newly digitally restored 16mm gems Damortis (1986) and 1978 Footages (1978). Following the screening, don’t miss an exclusive live conversation with pioneering artists Briccio Santos and Virgilio "Pandy" Aviado.
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Step into our Festival Lounge
Sip, snack, and socialise with fellow film lovers over free screenings that celebrate the poetry of movement, curated by guest programmer Philippe U. del Drago. Enjoy drinks and light bites for sale from Foreword Coffee as you soak in the festival vibes.
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Moments from Southeast Asia
Discover bold regional short films in this series co-curated by Viknesh Kobinathan, exploring sound and image as powerful tools for care and resistance.
Join us for special lunchtime screenings of these compelling shorts in the Auditorium!
Acknowledgements
Explore More
Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art
The newly revamped DBS Singapore Gallery exhibition presents a layered, ever-changing story of Singapore’s art history. Explore the unique pathways and detours of artists, and see their iconic artworks from the 19th century to present.
Fernando Zóbel: Order is Essential
This survey of his art invites you to travel with Zóbel to North America, Asia and Europe, where he practised from the 1940s to the 1980s.
Between Declarations and Dreams: Art of Southeast Asia since the 19th Century
Explore over 300 artworks in this exhibition and witness how artists grappled with identity, reinvented traditions, and responded to a tumultuous history.