Anthony Chen

Anthony Chen’s debut feature film, Ilo Ilo (2013), marked a significant turning point in his career, earning the prestigious Camera d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and establishing him as the first Singaporean filmmaker to achieve this honor. The film received widespread critical acclaim, also securing the Sutherland Trophy for Best First Film at the London Film Festival, and multiple Golden Horse Awards, including Best Narrative Feature, Best New Director, and Best Original Screenplay at the 50th Golden Horse Awards. This success followed his earlier acclaimed short films, notably G-23 (2005), which garnered international recognition and awards in France, Korea, and Belgium. His short film Ah Ma (2007) achieved a Special Mention at the Cannes Film Festival, another first for a Singaporean production, with Haze (2008) further building his portfolio.

In 2022, Chen completed his first Chinese feature film, The Breaking Ice, which was subsequently nominated for Un Certain Regard at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The same year, he made his English-language debut with Drift, premiering at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. His contributions to cinema were recognized with an invitation to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2023. Additionally, 2023 saw him direct The Cigarette as part of the anthology 2×25 commissioned for Film Fest Ghent’s 50th anniversary.

Anthony Chen continues to build an impressive body of work, balancing acclaimed feature films with impactful short-form projects. Looking ahead, Chen demonstrated his commitment to broader industry issues by signing an open pledge with Film Workers for Palestine in 2025, underscoring his influence beyond creative output. His distinctive vision and track record of critical and international success position him as a compelling voice in global cinema.