City of Good Film Festival 2025
The City of Good Film Festival 2025 is dedicated to inspiring giving through the art of storytelling. It celebrates feature-length films that embody themes of care, inclusivity, compassion, and the transformative power of giving and purpose. With a diverse range of films, the festival aims to showcase the profound impact of community support and generosity.
Film Schedule
| Date/Time | Film Title |
|---|---|
| Friday, 4 July, 7.00 PM | Yukiko a.k.a |
| Saturday, 5 July, 1.30 PM | Middletown |
| Saturday, 5 July, 4.55 PM | Winners |
| Saturday, 5 July, 7.45 PM | Yukiko a.k.a |
| Sunday, 6 July, 2.00 PM | Yukiko a.k.a |
| Sunday, 6 July, 4.30 PM | Winners |
| Sunday, 6 July, 7.20 PM | Middletown |
Panel Dialogue
Inspired by the compelling themes of Middletown, we invite you to join us for an engaging discussion on how individuals can drive environmental change.
Middletown shines a spotlight on a group of teenagers bravely uncovering an environmental disaster in their own community. This film prompts us to consider crucial questions that extend far beyond the screen: How can communities effectively unite to protect their local environment and foster a thriving future for all? And how do we empower our young people to stand up for what is right and become effective champions for positive change, just like the film’s protagonists?
Don’t miss this insightful conversation that aims to empower and inform!
Topic: From Footprints to Action – How Individuals Can Drive Environmental Change
Date: Saturday, 5 July 2025
Middletown Screening: 1330-1525 (115 minutes)
Panel Dialogue: 1530-1600 (30 minutes)
Panellists:
Mr Kenneth Tan
Chairman, Singapore Film Society
Mr Gerald Wong
Executive Director, EB Impact
Ms Serene Chen
Deputy Director, NVPC
Synopses
Yukiko a.k.a
2024 | Japan | Drama/Music | Japanese with English subtitles | PG | 100 minutes
Director: Kusaba Naoya
Cast: Rio Yamashita, Hina Higuchi, Fusako Urabe, Daichi Watanabe
Accolades:
- 2nd FICPBA International Film Festival of the Province of Buenos Aires “GRAN PREMIO SIGNIS” selected
- The Children’s International Film Festival of Wales 2024
“Best Actress” selected - 30 MINSK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL «LISTAPAD» “Cinema of the young” Competition nomination
- 36 Girona Film Festival selected in the feature film category
- 19TH Jogja NETPAC Asian Film Festival “Main Competition” selected
- 6th Hainan Island International Film Festival Panorama screening section
- 30th Kolkata International Film Festival International Competition Section “INNOVATIONS IN MOVING IMAGES” selected
- The ‘23rd Dhaka International Film Festival’ (DIFF), “Cinema of the World Section” selected
- 19th Chicago Asian Pop-up Cinema Festival, APUC’s Francis Kwong Memorial Award (for an emerging new director) nomination
- 25th Nippon Connection “Nippon Vision” Selection at Frankfurt am Main in Germany
Synopsis:
Yukiko, a 29-year-old elementary school teacher in Tokyo, struggles with student communication and personal insecurities. Overlooked in the “Favorite Teacher Ranking” and uneasy about her boyfriend’s marriage hints, she finds solace in hip-hop. Yet, in her first rap battle, she is completely overwhelmed by her opponent. This story follows Yukiko’s journey to discover the meaning of living authentically.
“The realistic plot & ending were top-notch in this film. I cried so hard when Yukiko Sensei was fighting for her dream”
– Daijoubop
Winners
2024 | Germany | Drama/War/Sports | German with English subtitles | PG13 | 120 minutes
Director: Soleen Yusef
Cast: Dileyla Agirman, Andreas Döhler
Accolades:
- Winner of Luxembourg City Film Festival 2025
- Berlin International Film Festival 2024, nominated
- European Film Awards 2024, nominated
Synopsis:
Winners tells the story of 11-year-old Mona (Dileyla Agirman). She has fled Syria with her family and starts a new life at a school in the rebellious Wedding district in Berlin, where anarchy reigns. The beginning is tough, she can barely speak German and is bullied. But she can do one thing really well: play football! By joining the girls’ team, with her teachers’ support, she develops courage, teamwork, and the will to win together with the team
Supported By: Goethe-Institut Singapore
“It increases understanding for children with immigrant backgrounds, and realistically portrays the challenges of integration. A person who discovers and nurtures potential can ultimately move mountains.”
– Christian Wulff
Middletown
2025 | United States of America | Documentary/Crime | English with English subtitles | PG | 115 minutes
Director: Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss
Cast: Isaac Levi Anthony, Varda Appleton, David Birmingham
Accolades:
- Premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2025
- Wisconsin Film Festival Audience Award
- Milwaukee Film Festival Luminaries Jury Award
Synopsis:
A teacher inspires a group of teenagers in the early 1990s to make a student film and they uncover a conspiracy that is poisoning their community. Thirty years later they revisit this transformative experience.
“… fascinating documentary highlights the critical role of education in young people’s lives, exposes the deep-seated corruption within local communities, and delivers a sobering reminder that real change isn’t handed down by the government, it’s driven by us.”
– Matt Neglia
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