SINGAPORE — Local film director Tan Pin Pin has been named best director in the Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentary section at 10th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) for her film To Singapore, With Love, it was announced yesterday (Dec 13).

The head of the three-person judging panel for the section, British writer Tony Rayns, said that their decision was unanimous. The prize comes with a cash award of US$15,000 (S$18,800).

Tan’s film was selected from more than 3,000 films screened at the DIFF.

“I am very pleased with the win, it was very unexpected,” Tan told TODAY.  “Though this film is about Singapore, I am relieved that the film has resonance for international audiences too. As a filmmaker, we always strive to make the connection between the local and the universal. I suppose, everyone can identify with the themes of home and one's primal connection to it.”

She added: “I hope more people are encouraged to watch this film as a result of the award.”

To Singapore, With Love, which is likely to be released here next year, is about political exiles, some of whom have not been home for as long as 50 years. The documentary was made with the support of the Asian Cinema Fund and the Busan International Film Festival, where it had its world premiere in competition.

Known for her astute documentaries about Singapore, Tan is the award-winning filmmaker of Singapore GaGa, Moving House and Invisible City.

So with this win, does the 44 year old feel emboldened to make more films, perhaps even a feature film?

“I often get asked this!” she revealed. “I have many ideas for fiction films, but my most immediate film is an experimental documentary called Hinterland. It focuses on mundane, yet interesting Singapore scenes and it’s based on my short film Snow City. I am in preparing for it now.”