By Rhea Yasmine for The Straits Times
Copyright tnp
Thriller film Stranger Eyes has been selected by the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) Advisory Committee as the official Singaporean entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards in 2026.
Written and directed by local film-maker Yeo Siew Hua, the mystery thriller released in 2024 follows a couple after the disappearance of their toddler, and explores themes of surveillance, grief and identity. It stars Taiwanese actors Lee Kang-sheng and Wu Chien-ho.
It made its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, and was the first Singapore film to be selected for Venice’s main competition. There, it earned critical acclaim for its atmospheric visuals and psychological depth, said the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in a statement on Sept 19.
This is Yeo’s second film to be selected for the award under the same category. His A Land Imagined (2018) was Singapore’s entry for the 2020 Academy Awards. No Singapore film has made the final Oscar nomination shortlist.
“It’s a real honour to represent Singapore again,” said Yeo in the IMDA statement.
“Thank you to all who have given me this opportunity to explore how we are looking at each other through this film. It is important to keep our stories alive and to continue to tell stories that matter.”
Stranger Eyes’ producer, Mr Fran Borgia of Akanga Film Asia, said the film reflects Singapore’s diversity, and he is proud that it can showcase this plurality on the world stage.
After its world premiere, Stranger Eyes was the opening feature at both the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Singapore International Film Festival in 2024.
It is being released in the United States by Film Movement.
Stranger Eyes is supported by IMDA and the SFC under the Media Talent Progression Programme.
It is the result of cross-border collaboration between production houses from Singapore, Taiwan, France and the United States – including Akanga Film Asia, Volos Films, Films de Force Majeure and Cinema Inutile.
“We are proud to present Stranger Eyes as Singapore’s official entry for the 2026 Oscars,” said Ms Yvonne Tang, IMDA’s assistant chief executive of the media industry group.
She added that the film has been screened across more than 10 territories and garnered strong attention from both the international film community and consumers.
“Stranger Eyes reflects the growing strength of made-with-Singapore films,” she said.
“With nine made-with-Singapore films premiering and competing at top festivals like Cannes, Toronto and Busan this year, it is clear that our stories are finding their place on the world stage.”
