I'm Sim Jiaying, an academic, film critic, and writer passionate about storytelling, teaching, and cinema.

 

With a PhD in Film and Television Studies from the University of Glasgow, I work at the intersection of film studies, education, and cultural work. I've held full-time academic roles at institutions like the National University of Singapore and DigiPen @ Singapore Institute of Technology, designing and teaching subjects from interactive storytelling, Southeast Asian cinema, to gender and sexuality studies. My research and writing focus on Asian and transnational film, exploring the intersections of race, class, gender, and capital, in  cinema analysis in both academic journals and public platforms.

Teaching remains a central part of my vocation, deeply embodied in my practice, but I’ve become increasingly excited about exploring film education as a form of cultural work. As part of this effort, I founded the Singapore Online Film Database, a digital resource offering detailed information on the films, organisations, and venues that shape Singapore’s film ecosystem.

​

These days, I’m saying yes to work that broadens my experience and deepens my relationship with cinema —whether through film programming, scriptwriting, or other modes of creative expression.

​

I've attempted to put together some of the things I've done here on this site. If you're interested in connecting over film, education, cultural work, or alternative-academia, I'm your person.