Singaporean short film Buah wins top prize at Palm Springs International ShortFest

Singaporean short film Buah has earned the top honor at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, winning the Best of Festival prize. The film, which translates to "fruit" in Malay, explores a sensitive theme set in an era when abortion was illegal.

Buah tells the story of Siti, a pregnant woman who secretly seeks to end her pregnancy. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets a spiritual bus driver, leading her to a profound realization about her path. The film is written and directed by Jen Nee Lim and produced by Lee Ke Ning.

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This little seed of a film grew into what it is with the love and care from the entire cast and crew, as well as the many people who believed in us. So happy to be able to share a bit of Singapore folklore with the world. I’m on cloud nine!

Since its premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in 2025, Buah has garnered significant international recognition. It has been officially selected by 18 film festivals worldwide, including the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. The film has also received accolades such as the International Special Jury Prize at the 48th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and Best Performance for lead actress Tysha Khan at the 36th Singapore International Film Festival.

Director Jen Nee Lim expressed her joy, stating, "This little seed of a film grew into what it is with the love and care from the entire cast and crew, as well as the many people who believed in us. So happy to be able to share a bit of Singapore folklore with the world. I’m on cloud nine!" Producer Lee Ke Ning added that the award is meaningful, but seeing audiences connect with the story across different backgrounds has been the most rewarding aspect of their journey.

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This award means so much to us, but what has stayed with us throughout this journey is seeing audiences from such different backgrounds connect with Siti and continue talking about the film long after the credits rolled. That's something we'll always be grateful for.