Now Accepting Submissions for 2027
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The Big Eyes, Big Minds - Singapore International Children's Film Festival was founded in 2010 by filmmaker and educator Mabel Gan, who was inspired by the joy and learning that films brought to her 5 year-old son when they attended a film festival while on vacation. She was particularly struck by the meaningful conversations they shared about the stories and characters in the diverse array of films.
The mission of Big Eyes, Big Minds (BEBM) is to educate, enrich, and inspire kids, aged 2 to 18, through vibrant, imaginative, and well-crafted films.
The festival embraces film as an impactful medium for telling stories, broadening world views, encouraging critical thinking, and fostering creative expression. The festival also aims to increase media literacy in a screen dominated world.
BEBM works closely with schools and cultural institutions, including the Asian Civilisations Museum, National Gallery, and the Arts House, to bring thoughtfully curated programs to young people in diverse communities.
In the last fifteen years, BEBM has connected tens of thousands of children and youths in Singapore to the best animated, live-action, and documentary films from around the globe.
"The best children's films and books have one thing in common - the ability to capture a child's imagination through good storytelling. My children loved the films at Big Eyes, Big Minds, especially watching characters from their favorite books come alive on screen.”
- Eliza Teoh
Author of the Ellie Bellie series
“When you think of childrenʼs films, think of the unsurpassed learning value of reading with your child, telling stories, and spending time just chatting with your child. Attend the Singapore International Childrenʼs Film Festival to see some of the wonderful, imaginative new films available, and get going watching and talking with your child”.
- Dr. Susan Fedo
Wheelock College, School of Early Childhood Education
"The short films shown in each age-appropriate programme were unique in the style of story-telling and in the values and ideas they convey. You don't find such qualities in mainstream films for children. Exposing my son to these films will help him to express himself in his own writings."
- Irene Low
Psychologist