31 august 2019, saturday *scape · rotolight awards and prizes awards and prizes. p. 15 jury...

31 August 2019, Saturday

*SCAPE The Ground Theatre

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

SUPPORTED BY

ORGANISED BY

CONTENT*SCAPE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE P.07

SGIFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE P.09

AWARD & PRIZES P.10

JURY MEMBERS P.14

NYFA YOUTH INSPIRATION AWARD P.20

MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES P.22

OPEN YOUTHNOMINEES P.47

ANIMATION FILMS P.64

DOCUMENTARY FILMS P.56

PRESENTERS, SPONSORS AND PARTNERS P.69

LIVE ACTION FILMS P.23

SPECIAL THANKS P.68

ANIMATION FILMS P.39

DOCUMENTARY FILMS P.31

LIVE ACTION FILMS P.48

P. 7

*SCAPE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

2019 has been one of National Youth Film Awards’ (NYFA) best year yet, with many of our past winners gaining recognition at key international film festivals, including Cannes Film Festival. We are very proud of our youths and hope this well-deserved acclaim will continue to grow.

In this 5th edition, we partner with the leading regional film festival in Southeast Asia, the Singapore International Film Festival, to forge new networks for our aspiring filmmaking talents domestically and in the region. This year, we introduce a new special award – the NYFA Youth Inspiration Award, to recognise and honour young industry professionals who have made exemplary contributions towards the filmmaking industry in Singapore.

NYFA has always been warmly received by the film community and it is most apparent this year. The film schools have come out in full force with the highest number of entries so far compared to previous editions of NYFA.

NYFA would not have been possible without the help of our partners, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the National Youth Council, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth for their continued support, our mentors and esteemed jury for their commitment to nurturing the youth, our sponsors for their generous support and our partner, SGIFF for working tirelessly with our team to make this year’s NYFA possible. Today, NYFA has grown into a media and film ecosystem where we can help our young film makers pursue their aspirations and live their dreams.

Goh Kok WeeExecutive Director*SCAPE Co. Ltd

P. 9

SGIFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

The most meaningful part of being a part of the National Youth Film Awards is seeing the stories the next generation of our filmmakers are telling. Behind the films are not only the filmmakers but also their teachers, mentors, family and friends who have supported them as they pursue their creative journey. NYFA is a platform that continues to encourage this pursuit by linking these youths with professionals through networking opportunities, creating space for knowledge transfer and sharing the creative journey of others.

Our next generation of storytellers are our future, shaping the way we want the world to see us. Today, we have the opportunity to shine the spotlight on our participants and their works. This is just the beginning of their journey and we wish everyone the best. Most importantly, we hope that all our youths continue to find the space to be young and find the resilience to pursue your dreams.

We thank all the partners who have supported NYFA and *SCAPE for investing in our youths and for themselves being able to think outside the box to support our creative industries. The number of submissions, while not always the truest benchmark of success, has encouraged all of us to want to do more for our youths today.

Yuni HadiExecutive DirectorSingapore International Film Festival

P. 11

BEST SOUND DESIGN• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• 2-day Short Film Final Cinema Mix in

Dolby-certified dubbing theatre worth $7,000 (including theatrical & online deliverables) presented by Mocha Chai Laboratories

• One-year complimentary subscription of Adobe® Creative Cloud™ worth S$792 presented by Adobe

BEST ART DIRECTION• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• One-year complimentary subscription

of Adobe® Creative Cloud™ worth S$792 presented by Adobe

• Rotolight NEO 2 with batteries and grip worth S$630 presented by Rotolight

• $400 Cathay Photo Accessories Voucher presented by Cathay Photo

BEST EDITING• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Red Giant Magic Bullet Suite 12 and

one year’s subscription of Universe worth $1,379


BEST SCREENPLAY• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Script consultations and

complimentary membership worth $500 presented by Screenwriters Association (Singapore)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Sony a7SII worth $4299 presented by

Sony• An opportunity to be part of the

filming crew of Sony Singapore’s Alpha Creator BTS filming overseas



BEST DIRECTOR• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Super X-Fi Air worth S$219 presented

by Creative

BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• One-year complimentary subscription


BEST DOCUMENTARY• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Red Giant Magic Bullet Suite 12 and





MEDIA STUDENT CATEGORY

AWARDS & PRIZES

AWARDS & PRIZES

AWARDS & PRIZES

AWARDS & PRIZES AWARDS AND PRIZES

P. 12 P. 13

BEST ACTOR• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Outlier Gold (w/Software Super X-Fi)

worth S$139 presented by Creative

BEST ACTRESS• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Outlier Gold (w/Software Super X-Fi)

worth S$139 presented by Creative

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Sony a6500M camera (body +

SEL18135 lens) worth $2449 presented by Sony



BEST DIRECTOR• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Super X-Fi Air worth S$219 presented

by Creative

BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• One-year complimentary subscription


BEST DOCUMENTARY• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Red Giant Magic Bullet Suite 12 and





BEST ANIMATION• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• 50% off scholarship for Dip./Adv.

Dip. for 3D animation worth $7,500 presented by Mages Institute of Excellence


MEDIA STUDENT & OPEN YOUTH CATEGORY

OPEN YOUTHCATEGORY

BEST ANIMATION• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• 50% off scholarship for Dip./Adv.

Dip. for 3D animation worth $7,500 presented by Mages Institute of Excellence


BEST LIVE ACTION• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• One-year complimentary subscription




BEST OVERALL SCHOOL• Trophy

BEST SOUND DESIGN• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• One-year complimentary subscription


BEST ART DIRECTION• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• One-year complimentary subscription




BEST EDITING• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Red Giant Magic Bullet Suite 12 and

one year’s subscription of Universe worht $1,379


BEST SCREENPLAY• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Script consultations and

complimentary membership (worth $500) presented by Screenwriters Association (Singapore)

BEST LIVE ACTION• Trophy and S$1,000 cash• Short Film Online Colourgrading

cum DCP package worth $10,000 presented by Mocha Chai Laboratories



AWARDS AND PRIZES AWARDS AND PRIZES

P. 15

JURY MEMBERS

JURY MEMBERS

JURY MEMBERS

Low Ser En is an award-winning Singaporean producer, whose live action and animated short films have been screened and won awards at over 60 international film festivals, including a British Academy Film and Television Award for Short Animation, for her film Poles Apart. She completed an MA in Producing at the National Film and Television School, with a scholarship from the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore and mm2 Entertainment.

MEDIA STUDENT PRE-SELECTION JURY

Warren Sin is a film programmer at the National Museum of Singapore Cinematheque between 2008 and 2017. He is responsible for several retrospective focusing on significant film directors from Federico Fellini to Hou Hsiao-hsien, as well as various cinema related programmes. He is also the key programmer for the annual Singapore Short Cuts programme during his tenure at the Cinematheque. He is currently a freelance film programmer and the Film Aggregator from Mocha Chai Laboratories and A Little Seed, driving Mocha Chai’s film restoration and digitisation team and ensuring that a range of films are accessible to rent or buy on iTunes.

JURY MEMBERS

He Shuming is a screenwriter and director. He completed his Master’s in Directing at the American Film Institute Conservatory. He contributed the short Letters From The Motherland to the omnibus 667, which premiered at Busan Film Festival 2017. He is currently working on his debut feature film, Ajoomma, which recently won the top prize at the Southeast Asian Fiction Film Lab (SEAFIC) and the Best Co-Production Prize at IFFM Macau in 2018.

P. 16 P. 17

Cynthia Chong currently serves as Deputy Director at the Singapore Film Commission where she oversees film industry development programmes in nurturing, supporting and promoting home-grown talent in filmmaking as well as showcasing their works to audiences in Singapore and beyond. The Singapore Film Commission is part of the Info-communications Media Development Authority.

Jeremy Chua is an independent film producer and screenwriter based between Singapore and Paris. Since 2014, he founded his company Potocol and has co-produced films as A Yellow Bird by K. Rajagopal (Cannes Critics Week 2016), A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery by Lav Diaz (Alfred Bauer Silver Bear, Berlinale 2016), Brotherhood by Pepe Diokno (Karlovy Vary IFF 2016) and A Family Tour by Ying Liang (Opening film of International Competition, Locarno IFF 2018). A Yellow Bird was his first screenplay. He is a graduate of the EAVE Ties That Bind 2013, Bangkok Produire au Sud 2015, SEAFIC X Produire au Sud 2017 and alumni of Berlinale Talents 2017. He is also programming for the Pingyao International Film Festival.

MEDIA STUDENT JURY MEMBERS

Lillian Wang began her career in 1997 as a writer at Television Corporation of Singapore & Mediacorp Studios, writing sitcoms, sketch comedy shows and dramas. She later graduated with an MFA in film directing and production from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Over the years, Lillian has taken on various creative roles, including writer, director, producer and executive producer, for television, independent short films and commercial projects. She has also taught in film programmes at Lasalle College of the Arts and Nanyang Technological University.

Tan Chih Chong is the co-founder of Sitting in Pictures. With 27 years of experience behind him in the local film and television industry, Chih Chong brings with him experiences gained over a broad spectrum of works. He worked with companies as diverse as MediaCorp, CTN, RTM, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, Fremantle Media, Voom Networks, AETN and many others. Apart from television, Chih Chong also dabbled in feature films and was a producer on the highly successful Singapore film, Forever Fever.

Sharon Loh has been in the industry for almost 10 years as a Cinematographer, her accolades dated back to when she first won the best cinematography for a short film, “Keluar Baris’ in Singapore International Film Festival in 2008. Since 2009,

JURY MEMBERSJURY MEMBERS

Michael Kam completed a post-graduate diploma in film production at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and he currently teaches at his alma mater. His past short films have travelled to numerous international film festivals and have been honoured with accolades. He is currently working on a new short film “Nursery Rhymes”, which won the Greek Film Centre Best Pitch award at the 5th Drama Pitching Lab in Greece and was selected for development at the 2019 Aotearoa Short Film Lab in New Zealand.

OPENYOUTH PRE-SELECTION JURY

Juan Foo is candidly regarded as the pioneer independent producer who is ‘still’ around for the past 20 years. He produced Singapore’s first digital film, ‘RETURN TO PONTIANAK’, first HD-feature ‘DIRTY LAUNDRY’ and indie-cult film ‘PERTH’. He began his film journey in script reading and distribution for a film finance company and freelanced in editing and production. Additionally, Juan trained in traditional cel animation and worked in Japanese anime. He also worked in WDA, MDA and U Creative in talent development, quality assessment and outreach He is now attached to Taipan Films developing and producing motion picture content.

Ezzam Rahman is an artist and lecturer based in Singapore. He works mainly in installation and performance art, and is also a filmmaker, favouring narrative forms for their ability to communicate to the audience. He was awarded a joint winner of the Grand Prize for the President’s Young Talents 2015; the People’s Choice Award by the Singapore Art Museum; the Goh Chok Tong Youth Promise Award 2016 by Yayasan Mendaki; and the prestigious Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council, Singapore.

P. 18 P. 19

David Chua was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Council in July 2015, becoming the autonomous agency’s first CEO. NYC was restructured into an autonomous agency under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth in January 2015, and operates as the national body coordinating holistic youth development. It also houses Outward Bound Singapore and Youth Corps Singapore. David is also concurrently the Chairman of *SCAPE. David graduated from Imperial College, University of London with a Master of Engineering, and subsequently a Master of Business Administration from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Sharifah Amani is a storyteller. As a young actress, she was fortunate to meet and work with a master storyteller, the late director Yasmin Ahmad. Apart from helping to weave other people’s tales, she enjoys telling her own. She directed three short films: Sangkar (2010), Kampung Bangsar (2012) and Hawa (2013). All three were screened at Roppongi Malaysian Film Week in Tokyo in 2015. Apart from writing and directing, she takes on festival jury duties, acts in various productions, and is waiting to release five of her new films.

OPEN YOUTH JURY MEMBERS

Sharon has been involved in various genres of projects such as commercials, narrative films, trailer promos, reality programs and TV dramas. Currently, she is shooting for a long form Ch5 drama, “Kin”.

Carlene Tan is currently managing Animation Development for The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) based in Singapore. With nearly 2 decades of animation experience, she has worked with various animation studios across the globe. As the Studio Head with One Animation she produced the International Emmy nominated TV series, Oddbods as well as the well rated Insectibles. Prior to that, with the founder of Dreamworks Animation, she managed the Asian arm of Cloudpic Global and produced various digital projects for mobile apps launched across Asia. Coupled with half a decade of nurturing media start-ups at the Singapore government, Carlene puts her strategic business experience together with her love of storytelling, to connect with audiences and bring products to life.

Yeow Kai Chai is a poet, prose writer, editor and former journalist. A Master of Arts graduate in English Literature from the National University of Singapore, he has been working in the media for more two decades in various roles as writer and editor as well as film and music reviewer for 8 Days, The Straits Times and My Paper. A co-editor of Quarterly Literary review Singapore, he served the National Arts Council as Festival Director of Singapore Writers festival from 2015 to 2018.

Christine Sham is a film and TV composer and a sought-after keyboardist. She graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music with Bachelor of Music, majoring in Professional Music, she has toured and performed with some of the biggest names in the industry including A*Mei, JJ Lin, F.I.R, Sally Yeh, Francis Yip and Stefanie Sun. Based in Singapore, Christine has established a name for herself as a composer for film and TV, scoring the music for Eric Khoo’s 2005 film “Be With Me” and animation “Tatsumi” in 2011, not to mention a string of television commercials. In her free time, she gigs with R&B group Fuze Collective and the Asian Fusion band Szinc.

Lei Yuan Bin is a founding member of the film collective 13 Little Pictures. He was conferred the Young Artist Award in 2012 by the National Arts Council. 03-FLATS, his sophomore feature was selected for documentary competition at Busan International Film Festival. FUNDAMENTALLY HAPPY, his third feature, was co-directed with Tan Bee Thiam,

featuring the cinematography of Christopher Doyle.

Yim Mun Chong is the Chief Editor of Iceberg Design Pte Ltd. A veteran in the film industry, Mun Chong has collaborated with prolific Singaporean directors such as Wee Li Lin, Jack Neo, Meng Ong and many more. His editorial credits includes Ah Boys to Men, The Lion Men, A Fantastic Ghost Wedding, Forever and Men in White.

Ervin Han is the co-founder of Robot Playground Media, an award-winning animation studio

based in Singapore. A seasoned animation producer and director who has worked on shows

for Disney and Cartoon Network, Ervin is a passionate storyteller with a desire to see more

Asian stories brought to life through animation. He created Singapore’s first prime-time animated series ‘Heartland Hubby’ and the animated short ‘The Violin’ which won an Asian Television Award in 2017. His animated anthology ‘Timescapes’ has been screened at over a dozen festivals and was in competition at the Seoul International Animated Film Festival and Asia Pacific Screen Awards in 2018. His studio is currently developing its first animated feature which is slated to begin production next year.

JURY MEMBERS

P. 21

OUTH INSPIRATION AWARD

YOUTH INSPIRATION AWARDYOUTH INSPIRATION AWARD

YOUTH INSPIRATION AWARD

YOUTH INSPIRATION AWARD

AWARD RECIPIENT MESSAGE

ABOUT THE NYFA YOUTH INSPIRATION AWARD

The National Youth Film Awards is a beacon for aspiring youth filmmakers since its inception in 2015. For the last four years, NYFA has provided our youths with recognition, validation, and industry network, in addition to being the key national platform to showcase their talents in film.

In the 5th edition of the NYFA, the NYFA Youth Inspiration Award is introduced as a new special award. This is to recognise and honour young industry professionals who have made exemplary contributions towards the filmmaking industry in Singapore. Nicole Midori Woodford, an independent filmmaker, is presented this inaugural award in recognition for her work in film and her contributions as a role model towards growing the next generation of filmmakers. She has been an inspiration to many young filmmakers and provided them with invaluable industry advice in their creative journey.

NICOLE’S ACCOLADES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Nicole is an alumna of Berlinale Talents, Asian Film Academy, Torino Film Lab and Talents Tokyo. Having directed a few shorts, of which, Permanent Resident, was selected in many festivals including Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival. Nicole had directed notable commercial and narrative works for Zhao Wei Films including Ordinary (2015), a short film for the 28th SEA Games. Her debut feature film project, You Are There, was selected in the inaugural edition of SEAFIC lab clinching two awards, You Are There was also selected at the FeatureLab program at Torino Film Lab in 2018 and awarded the Co-Production award.

In addition to making her mark in Singapore’s film industry, Nicole is grooming our next generation of filmmakers as a lecturer at her alma mater, NTU School of Art, Design and Media, where she has taught for the last eight years. She believes so strongly in young talent that after six years of part-time lecturing, she converted to a full-time role, while still remaining committed to her film projects.

I am incredibly honoured to be given the NYFA Youth Inspiration Award in its inaugural year, thank you *SCAPE and SGIFF for this wonderful recognition. Guiding others on this fulfilling yet sometimes treacherous path of filmmaking has evolved into a very natural progression for me and I love both making films as well as teaching. As both a filmmaker and a film lecturer, it can be challenging straddling both roles but ultimately doubly rewarding.

The creation of this award is also illustrative of this new era of filmmaking in Singapore and our SEA region. Not only does it signify the bridging of the different generations of filmmakers in Singapore but also an impetus towards a wave of stories waiting in the wings. These stories that will shape our future of Singaporean cinema; I look to the other established filmmakers to help nurture and guide our younger filmmaking peers.

NYFA is an invaluable platform for young filmmaking talent to spark their filmmaking journeys. To all the nominees of this year’s National Youth Film Awards, I would like to congratulate each of you, for making a film is no mean feat. Use this platform to get feedback, to watch other films. Then write more, experiment more, collaborate more — try, fail and try again. We learn from each other and embrace the lessons learnt along the way. I hope all of you will celebrate this by making your next film and continue to challenge yourself in your growth as a storyteller as I challenge myself to make my next one.

Nicole Midori WoodfordRecipientNYFA Youth Inspiration Award 2019

NYFA YOUTH INSPIRATION AWARD

MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES


LIVE ACTION FILMS

P. 24 P. 25

ADAMby Junxian Shoki Lin

Tired of his turbulent family life and caught between identities, Adam seeks out an alternative arrangement in hopes of finding his place.

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF ART DESIGN AND MEDIA

20 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Junxian Shoki LinLead Actor: Ayden Liow Jiaxian Director: Junxian Shoki Lin Sound Designer: Natasha Jumari Art Director: Jun Ying Beaunice Toh Editor: Al-Azmir Ibrahim Scriptwriter: Junxian Shoki LinCinematographer: Ibrahim Zubir Composer: Sulwyn Lok

AVE MARIA by Andrea Flavia William

An Indian woman seeks help from a Catholic family in the middle of the night. She goes through a rite of passage with the hope of self-redemption. Over the course of that night, she slowly starts to reveal herself.

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, WEE KIM WEE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION

24 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative:

Andrea Flavia William

Director: Andrea Flavia William

Art Director: Corin Too

Editor: Zi Ling Kuang

Scriptwriter: Andrea Flavia William

Composer: Jonathan Martin Lim

MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES / LIVE ACTION FILMS MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES / LIVE ACTION FILMS

P. 26 P. 27

PROGRESS by Alistair Quak

Far into the future, in a dystopic, totalitarian state, we follow a regular day in the life of Sergeant Major Lam, as he oversees his troops on a mission to take down a rebel building. However, as the film unravels he is forced to come to terms with himself, as we explore the true extents of his relationship between work life and family...

Oh and also, a heck of a lot of intense violent action.


24 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Jia Min Tan

Lead Actress: Jia Yi Liew

Director: Alistair Quak

Sound Designer: Nicolas Ow

Art Director: Gracie Koh

Editor: Leon Tai

Scriptwriter: Alistair Quak

Cinematographer: Zhen Yu Png

Composer: Sulwyn Lok

FARAH by Pavithran Nathan

A semi-retired seamstress attempts to mend the relationship with her daughter when strange phenomena starts to occur in her house.

LASALLE COLLEGE OF ARTSPUTTNAM SCHOOL OF FILM & ANIMATION

8 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Fong Sue May

Director:Pavithran Nathan

Sound Designer:

Muhammad Syamim Ameen

Art Director: Praveena Ravin

Editor: Jan Jerusalem

Scriptwriter: Muhammad Syamim Ameen & Timothy Bryan Koh

Cinematographer: Timothy Bryan Koh

Composer: Ernest Foo Mao Ern


P. 28 P. 29

BODHI / 菩提 by Zhen Yu Png

The film follows a single mum, Li Ping, who is affected by her Son, Jun Hao’s decision to ordain as a monk. When reality kicks in the day before her son’s ordination, Li Ping’s fear for loneliness becomes prominent as her son prepares to embark on a new journey as a monastic. She begins to cast doubts on her faith and struggles to choose between her faith and her only son.

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OFART DESIGN AND MEDIA

18 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Zhen Yu Png

Lead Actor: Matthias Choo

Director: Zhen Yu Png

Sound Designer: Nicolas Ow

Art Director: Jia Min Tan

Editor: Alistair Quak

Scriptwriter: Zhen Yu Png

Cinematographer: Rusyaidee Rasdeen

Composer: Sulwyn Lok

FOUL BALL by Kayue Li

A determined boy attempts numerous rounds of base-running at a dilapidated baseball pitch, striving for a desired timing.

Despite progressive improvement, different obstacles came his way - the weather, an injury, his fatigue, and finally the unthinkable happened, leaving him in hopeless disposition where the purpose of his pursuit is questioned.


16 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Kayue Li

Director: Kayue Li

Sound Designer: Cliff Choy

Editor: Cliff Choy

Scriptwriter: Kayue Li

Cinematographer: Cliff Choy

Composer: Yichao Guan


P. 31P. 30

BOYS WILL BE BOYS by Shannen Mok

Sixteen-year-old schoolboy Thomas gets a call one night from his ex-best friend Chanel, who hasn’t spoken to him properly since getting attached. His initial defenses fade as she tells him about her break-up. Their camaraderie rekindles his previously-suppressed feelings for her. When she rejects his confession, he pretends he is joking and advises her to block her ex-boyfriend on social media. This aggravates the ex-boyfriend, who starts spreading rumours about Chanel. Thomas confronts him to defend Chanel, complicating the situation.

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OFART DESIGN AND MEDIA

21 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Ho Ann Li

Lead Actor: Michael Ryan Andrew

Lead Actress: Tan Tze Kia

Director: Shannen Mok

Sound Designer: Daniel Siew Jihan

Art Director: Liu Zhang Teng

Editor: Gary Chia Yew Hong

Scriptwriter: Shannen Mok

Cinematographer: Daniel Siew Jihan

DOCU-MENTARY FILMS


MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES / LIVE ACTION FILMS

P. 32 P. 33

BARE by Martin Loh

In a surreal take on the documentary form, the film questions our treatment of naked bodies. Richard, curious about naturism, chances upon a YouTube video discussing public nudity in Singapore. With his interest piqued, Richard manages to contact two Singaporean naturists, Lim and B, and they decide to meet up in real life. As they begin sharing their reasons for being naturists, Richard imagination comes alive. Eventually, he grows to understand what it means to bare it all.

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, WEE KIM WEE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION

12 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Yi Jia Lee

Director: Martin Loh

Sound Designer: Lucas Kang

Art Director: Yi Jia Lee

Editor: Martin Loh

Scriptwriter: Ignatius Koh

Cinematographer: Martin Loh

Composer: Ernie Goh

MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES / DOCUMENTARY FILMS

LIFE IS LIVE by Keziah Wei

Life is Live follows the journey of a live-streaming celebrity in China, Danny, whose life is built on today’s digital entertainment culture of instantaneous user-generated content. We dive deeper into his relationship with his fan, uncovering the impact of technological advancements on human interactions in this new age.

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITYWEE KIM WEE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION

16 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Jia Lin Foo

Director: Keziah Wei

Editor: Keziah Wei & Matilda Chia

Cinematographer: Matilda Chia

Composer: Ernie Goh


P. 34 P. 35

A JIE / 阿芥 by Lian Ying

This documentary records the daily routines of grandparents and interview changes that the family made for her in the last days of the grandmother. And the attitude towards the family of death. At the beginning of 2019, the grandmother, who was nearly 80 years old, was given a notice of critical illness by the hospital. After the day and night rescuing, my grandmother was rescued. But she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease since then. The video delivers love and response. Shows positive attitude toward life and accepting death.

NANYANG ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS , DESIGN AND MEDIA

21 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Lian Ying

Director: Lian Ying

Sound Designer: Lian Ying

Art Director: Lian Ying

Editor: Lian Ying

Scriptwriter: Lian Ying

Cinematographer: Lian Ying


CHINA MAN by Jerrell Zhi Hong Chow

At the age of five, Ek Kiat left his family and village in China to be adopted by new parents in Singapore. This drastic transition led to a troubled childhood, as he grew up with the self-inflicted pressure to suppress his past. China Man, a 24-minute documentary short, follows Ek Kiat as he confronts the deep-seated insecurities that have plagued him the past 20 years.


24 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Ng An Ning

Director: Jerell Chow Zhi Hong

Editor: Sophia Huang Hui

Cinematographer: Tan Ek Kiat


P. 36 P. 37

PIGEONHOLEby Mei Fong Lim

Mdm Chua and Ah Hong live together in a one-room rental flat. Despite getting along well initially, their relationship turns sour when Mdm Chua confronted Ah Hong one night as she assumed that Ah Hong has meddled with the television. As the pair becomes more open about the issues they have with each other behind the other’s back, Ah Hong eventually finds another flat to move into with the help of a cleaner, leaving Mdm Chua alone in the end.

LASALLE COLLEGE OF ARTS, PUTTNAM SCHOOL OF FILM & ANIMATION

16 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Shu Yun Chiam

Director: Mei Fong Lim

Sound Designer: Samantha Chuan

Editor: Samuel Li

Scriptwriter: Mei Fong Lim

Cinematographer: Haakon Teo

BLAQ by Damien Eu

This documentary explores how a young man named Chiang, also known as “Blaqfaez”, learn about the harsh reality of living in a discriminating society, the pains of integrating himself into his environment growing up and finds his identity in this world as well as who he wants to be in his life.

NANYANG ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS, DESIGN AND MEDIA

7 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Damien Eu Zhen Cheng

Director: Damien Eu Zhen Cheng

Art Director: Damien Eu Zhen Cheng

Editor: Damien Eu Zhen Cheng

Scriptwriter: Damien Eu Zhen Cheng

Cinematographer: Damien Eu Zhen Cheng

MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES / DOCUMENTARY FILMS MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES / DOCUMENTARY FILMS

P. 39P. 38

SWEET LIKE SUGAR by Yun Ru Chin

Sugar dating platforms are growing and gaining more traction with Singaporeans but society views it as glorified prostitution, where girls provide sexual favours in exchange for a glamorous life. However, the reality is not always as it seems and these sugar babies have to hide their identities in fear of the shame. We delve deeper into the psyche and circumstances of those in this lifestyle to understand why they took part in it and to challenge society’s perception of sex.


12 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Zi Lei HungDirector: Yun Ru ChinEditor: Yun Ru Chin Cinematographer: Janice LimComposer: Chris Tan Guan Yi

ANIMA-TION FILMS



P. 40 P. 41

FOR LORN by Yan Han Hoo

Stationed on a satellite orbiting the moon, Naut finds herself trying to reach Earth to no avail. As her circumstances become dire, her reality begins to merge with her memories.

Taking cues from films like THE RED TURTLE and SOLARIS, For Lorn is an atmospheric film hoping to convey a sense of melancholy, solitude and longing. It hopes to reassure people that, despite everything, happiness is possible.


5 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Hoo Yan Han Director: Hoo Yan Han & Im Eun SueSound Designer: Floris DemandtComposer: Floris Demandt

DANDELION IN THE WIND by Do Thi Ngan Giang

The main character, through the journey, discovers himself and his unwavering determination to be united with his beloved pet. The film pays homage to Renee Magritte, the master of illusions, dreams and the uncanny.


4 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Do Thi Ngan GiangDirector: Do Thi Ngan GiangSound Designer: Oliver Tab Bellmann Art Director: Do Thi Ngan GiangEditor: Do Thi Ngan GiangScriptwriter: Do Thi Ngan Giang

MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES / ANIMATION FILMS MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES / ANIMATION FILMS

P. 42 P. 43

BALANCE by Raymond Limantara Sutisna

Both refusing to give in until the mess they create goes out of control. They then realise the only way out is to work together and strive for coexistence.


4 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Raymond Limantara Sutisna Director: Raymond Limantara SutisnaArt Director: Raymond Limantara Sutisna, Liao Zhibin & Tracy Quek Kai Ning Editor: Raymond Limantara Sutisna, Liao Zhibin & Tracy Quek Kai Ning

THE GROWTH by Sarah Cheok Ling Fay

An ambitious young boy is eager to grow up so he can experience the world outside of his kelong house in the middle of the ocean. Eventually he musters up courage to persude the old man, but was faced with disapproval. Being young and ambitious, the boy decides to go anyway.


8 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Sarah Cheok Ling Fay Director: Sarah Cheok Ling FayArt Director: Morrie Tan Shu Zhen Editor: Loh Ke HuaScriptwriter: Sarah Cheok Ling FayCinematographer: Sarah Cheok Ling Fay


P. 44 P. 45

TO BE APART by Jamie Goh

Having just moved into a town inhabited by Myanhs, Fluzzard struggles to fit in due to his appearance. In a desperate attempt, Fluzzard changes his appearance completely to be a part of them, despite his friend, Johnny’s, vehement attempts to stop him. This leads to disastrous results, revealing a starting truth about identity.


6 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Jeraldine Ong Wen YuDirector: Jamie GohSound Designer: Gracia WongArt Director: Zhen Ying JieEditor: Jeraldine Ong Wen YuScriptwriter: Jamie GohCinematographer: Zhen Ying JieComposer: Gracia Wong

REVERSION by Yu Sichao

A creative young girl who fights to pursue her dreams.LASALLE COLLEGE OF ARTS, PUTTNAM SCHOOL OF FILM & ANIMATION

5 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Chong Jia En Director: Yu SichaoArt Director: Chong Jia EnCinematographer: Chong Jia En


P. 47P. 46

NOW OR LATER by Muhammad Yusri Bin Muhammad Yusof

Two train crew members need to deliver an ice sculpture but they notice some distractions and end up procrastinating too much. The next morning, they realise that they wasted hours of productivity. So they try to make up for lost time by rushing to their destination. Although they managed to arrive on time, they discover that the end result of their efforts is not what they, and their client, expect.


5 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Muhammad Yusri Bin Muhammad Yusof Director: Muhammad Yusri Bin Muhammad YusofArt Director: Nurulhazira Binti JasniEditor: Nurulhazira Binti JasniScriptwriter: Muhammad Yusri Bin Muhammad YusofCinematographer: Muhammad Yusri Bin Muhammad Yusof

OPEN YOUTH NOMINEES

MEDIA STUDENT NOMINEES / ANIMATION FILMS

P. 49P. 48

LIVE ACTION FILMS

OPENYOUTHNOMINEES

A TIME FOR US / 萍水相逢by Alvin Lee

A pregnant woman from the countryside travels to Beijing to purchase a Beijing Hukou (Residency Permit) for her unborn child through the black market. There, she was arranged into a sham marriage with a man who can’t express himself vocally.

30 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Alvin Lee Director: Alvin LeeEditor: Alvin LeeScriptwriter: Alvin Lee

OPEN YOUTH NOMINEES / LIVE ACTION FILMS

P. 50 P. 51

ENLISTMENT by Kang Sheng Tang

Ron, Jacky and Navin hang out for one last night before enlisting into two years of military service. Through the night they reflect on their time together only to discover that the cracks in their friendship were deeper than they thought. This leads to an escalation and they will never be able to return to how they were before.

14 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Zhi Qi Yeo Director: Kang Sheng TangSound Designer: Wong Hui GraceEditor: Eugene Seah Scriptwriter: Kang Sheng TangCinematographer: Fiona Wong Wan Yu

SARAH by Andre Chong

‘Sarah’ is a short film on a newly inducted Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight attendant who faces difficulty adjusting to her job. Together with her Filipino domestic helper, the two form an unusual bond over their conscious sacrifices of being away from home.

19 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Lim ZeharnLead Actress: Numhon TechalapanarasmeDirector: Andre ChongSound Designer: Teh MatthiasArt Director: Lim Zeherng Editor: Lim Zeherng Scriptwriter: Wai Zi YingCinematographer: Lim Zeharn

OPEN YOUTH NOMINEES / LIVE ACTION FILMS OPEN YOUTH NOMINEES / LIVE ACTION FILMS

P. 52 P. 53

A SPECTACULAR SIGHT by Rifyal Giffari

A young woman, Lynn, is getting dressed as her family hounds her to hasten. There’s excitement outside her room and as she goes out she sees her family dressed and their faces are painted. Excitement builds as they listen to National Day songs in the car. However, Lynn’s father suddenly clutches the wheel and begins sweating profusely. The National Day parade plays out on the hospital TV. A sliver of the fireworks is seen bursting outside the window.

15 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Angelina Bok Hui Wen & Engku M. Iqbal Lead Actress: Yuslina Binte Muhamad YussofDirector: Rifyal GiffariSound Designer: Grace WongArt Director: Julie LiewEditor: Derwin Tan Scriptwriter: Rifyal GiffariCinematographer: Jolinna Ang

STILL by Lee Jing Wei

STILL is an audio and visual journey centered on an old lady whom is forgotten by the people she loves.

4 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Lee Jing WeiDirector: Lee Jing WeiSound Designer: Lee Jing WeiArt Director: Lee Jing WeiEditor: Lee Jing WeiCinematographer: Lee Jing Wei


P. 54 P. 55

YOU IDIOT by Kris Ong

‘You Idiot’ follows Darren and Matt, two Singaporean teenagers at a crossroads of their life. On a night spent wandering around the city-state, the pair write a song about what is to come in their happy-go-lucky world. ‘You Idiot’ is an observation of a gentle and playful friendship between two young men, set against the backdrop of a relentlessly developing country that demands more from them than they can give.

12 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Kris Ong Lead Actor: Adam Jared LeeDirector: Kris OngEditor: Malcolm ChenScriptwriter: Kris OngCinematographer: Lincoln YeoComposer: Darren Cheng & Adam Jared Lee

SIN-SFO by Leon Cheo

As they drive to San Francisco, married couple Angie and Danny debate a decision which will change their lives forever.

12 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Leon Cheo Director: Leon CheoSound Designer: Wei Yong TeoArt Director: Sandara MontenegroEditor: Huda AzzisScriptwriter: Leon CheoCinematographer: Jon KengComposer: Wei Yong Teo


P. 56 P. 57

TRAILER BOYS by Yusri Sapari

Trailer Boys follows the journey of Muhammad Irfan Rafieh, a key member of Abam2 Trailer Singapura, which is a community of heavy vehicle drivers from Singapore. Truck drivers are mostly seen as uneducated and unskilled compared to the rest of society, especially in fast-paced competitive Singapore. This film explores how young truck drivers in Singapore such as Irfan find ways to break stereotypes and improve how society perceives them through their day to day work and their trailer club.

23 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Yusri Sapari Director: Yusri SapariEditor: Yusri Sapari Scriptwriter: Yusri SapariCinematographer: Yusri Sapari

OPEN YOUTH NOMINEES / DOCUMENTARY FILMS

DOCU-MENTARY FILMS

OPENYOUTHNOMINEES

P. 58 P. 59

WHITE GORILLA by Charles Packer

Filmmaker chronicles his grandfather’s life using old photographs, home videos, interviews, letters, and footage taken while following in his grandfather’s footsteps, exploring how we remember our departed loved ones.

18 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Charles Packer Director: Charles PackerSound Designer: Audrey LeeEditor: Shui Min Ko Scriptwriter: Charles PackerCinematographer: Beaumont Loy


ROJAK ROMANCE by Christine Seow

In this documentary film, a young mixed-race couple (a Malaysian Ceylonese Tamil male and a Chinese American female) interrogate differing religious backgrounds, expectations on children, and meeting each others’ families, as they speculate on how to exist as a mixed-race couple in multiracial, yet CMIO-centric Singapore. Through Tinesh and Jane’s personal journey, Rojak Romance examines the history and identity of the Ceylonese Tamil community.

22 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Jeremy OhDirector: Christine SeowEditor: Danfeng ZhangCinematographer: Meng Chee Chia


P. 60 P. 61

CORRIDORS OF DIVERSITY by Kevin Siyuan Ma

Filmed in Singapore, “Corridors of Diversity” is a multi-layered showcase of urban planning, architectural and day-to-day elements that characterised the urban image of this high density city state. This short film is a montage of communal corridors along various HDB blocks of different regions, subzones and neighbourhoods, of different designs, each offering a unique view that forms an integral piece of the Singapore built environment.

3 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Kevin Siyuan Ma Director: Kevin Siyuan MaCinematographer: Kevin Siyuan Ma

RELIGIOUS PROCESSION by Dave Lim

Religious Procession is an experimental documentary film of public religious processions undertaken Hinduism and Taoism. In heavily contested and regulated space, syncretic religions intermix with each other, forming a curious mixture of religious harmony. Shot over the period of 2 years, the 17-minute two channels film compares trance, acts of penance and rituals. Weaving between histories and contrasting understandings of religious processions, the film throws a question at the audience: How do we build religious harmony in increasingly fragmented societies?

17 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Dave Lim Director: Dave LimSound Designer: Dave LimEditor: Dave Lim Cinematographer: Dave Lim

OPEN YOUTH NOMINEES / DOCUMENTARY FILMS OPEN YOUTH NOMINEES / DOCUMENTARY FILMS

P. 62 P. 63

TRESPASS: STORIES FROM SINGAPORE’S THIEVES MARKET by OKJ

In 2017, the infamous Sungei Road Thieves Market, which predates the founding of Singapore by over 30 years, was forced to close and make way for the future. Its impending closure ignited dialogues about the value of heritage, heart for the disenfranchised, and sentimentality for history.

In documenting its final days, this documentary also serves as a one-of-a-kind time capsule for future generations to experience the sun-baked streets of the Thieves Market, its characters and items galore.

30 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: OKJDirector: OKJSound Designer: Cheng LijieEditor: Eugene SeahCinematographer: OKJ

MOVING ON by Vanessa Tan

Moving on is a documentary short film telling of Madam Hsueh’s return to her last home in Pingtung, Taiwan. The house built by her late father stands preserved in time, its items fading yellow under a thick layer of dust. As Madam Hsueh sieves through the belongings, sweet and painful memories bubble to the surface. She recalls her experiences decades later, scrubbing the house clean before the next owner calls it their new home.

19 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Vanessa TanDirector: Vanessa Tan Sound Designer: Tina He XiaoArt Director: Ying Jia Chua Editor: Bernice HoCinematographer: Ying Jia Chua

OPEN YOUTH NOMINEES / DOCUMENTARY FILMS OPEN YOUTH NOMINEES / DOCUMENTARY FILMS

P. 64 P. 65

ANIMA-TION FILMS

KINGDOM by Wei Keong Tan

A lost man falls apart in a forest. The quiet, atmospheric terrain of the forest is undisturbed until a man comes along. Seemingly lost, he enters the unknown space, observing and exploring the area, before he starts to fall apart. Beneath the deceptively simple actions of the character lies a layered approach to his psyche, which hinges on isolation and a sense of belonging.

6 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Wei Keong Tan Director: Wei Keong Tan Art Director: Wei Keong TanEditor: Zihan LooScriptwriter: Wei Keong TanCinematographer: Wei Keong Tan

OPEN YOUTH NOMINEES / ANIMATION FILMS

OPENYOUTHNOMINEES

P. 66 P. 67

THE WAY HOME by Kai Lun Pang

Ana crash lands on a dangerous planet and meets a curious creature while waiting for rescue. When it ruins her one-way ticket back, Ana must learn to trust her newfound friend to find the way home.

12 MINS

2019

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Joshua Ang Qian YongDirector: Kai Lun PangSound Designer: Joshua Ang Qian YongArt Director: Liew Yu Liang John Editor: Joshua Ang Qian YongScriptwriter: Georgia Low May LingComposer: Georgia Low May Ling


AUTOMATONOMYby Jerrold Chong

In a dystopian sci fi society amidst social unrest between Humans and Automatons, an orphan rescues an injured girl from the rumble of violence. As they hide out together in a bunker like room, their burgeoning friendship gets tested as external forces threaten to fracture how one sees the Other.

7 MINS

2018

NOMINEES Producer/Representative: Andre QuekDirector: Jerrold Chong & Mark Wee Sound Designer: Lim Ting LiArt Director: Yanyun ChenEditor: Jiaying Lee Scriptwriter: Jerrold Chong & Mark WeeCinematographer: Andre Quek, Jerrold Chong & Mark Wee


P. 68 P. 69

The fifth edition of the National Youth Film Awards is made possible by people who believe in the vision and future of the Singapore’s film industry. We would like to thank the following organising team members from *SCAPE & SGIFF, jury members, sponsors, partners and supporters for their contribution and continuous support in making the National Youth Film Awards a reality.

AWARDS DIRECTORIAL Goh Kok Wee and Wayuni Hadi

PROJECT & AWARDS MANAGEMENT *SCAPEShirley Tan, Lingual Tan, Ngeow Yin Teen, Belinda Teo, Venges Nathan, Raja Arunagiri, Daphne Chua, Simran Dsouza, Elena Karim, Dave Koh, Jenny Lim, Mo Hui Ren, Myo Min Oo, Phua Yin Yin, Josephine Tan, Shersain Tan, Tay Shi Hong, Joey Teo, Yong Chee Seng and Zaw Zaw Aung

SGIFF Ang Hwee Sim, Leong Puiyee, Tan Si En, Sarah How, Mabelyn Ow, Gwendaline Lim, Olivia Tay, Vess Chua, Renee Tan

AWARDS EVENT MANAGEMENT Serene Yap, Najiha Sanusi, Silas Ignatius Lau, Shining Goh, Charlyn Pereira, Vanessa Foo, Alberta Wileo, Manoj Kumar, Chua Mei Qin, Kwek Jing Yi Fiona, Justina Hussain, Wang Chuqiao, Joy Lim, Myra Koh Yujie, Laura, Choo Suyin, Pang Hao Yi, Kirsten Goh Su En and Marinah Hardy

PRE-SELECTION JURY MEMBERSJuan Foo, He Shuming, Michael Kam, Low Ser En, Ezzam Rahman and Warren Sin

JURY MEMBERS Sharifah Amani, Cynthia Chong, David Chua, Jeremy Chua, Lei Yuan Bin, Sharon Loh, Christine Sham, Carlene Tan, Tan Chih Chong, Lillian Wang, Yim Mun Chong, Ervin Han and Yeow Kai Chai

NYFA 2019 CONFERENCE SPEAKERS AND PARTNERS Ghazi Alqudcy, Boo Junfeng, Chai Yee Wei, Jeremy Chua, Lionel Chok, He Shuming, Huang Junxiang, K. Rajagopal, Lai Weijie, Low Ser En, Michael Kan (Shooting Gallery Asia), Raymond Phathanavirangoon, Vincent Quek, Stuart Stephen and Wee Li Lin

AWARD PARTNERS Adobe Systems Pte Ltd, Cathay Photo Store (Pte) Ltd, MAGES Institute of Excellence, Mocha Chai Laboratories Pte Ltd, RED Giant, Rotolight and Sony Electronics (Singapore) Pte Ltd

AWARD SUPPORTERSCreative Technology Ltd and Screenwriters Association (Singapore)

MEDIA PARTNERMediaCorp

PR & MEDIA AGENCYPRecious Communications

WITH SUPPORT FROMInfocomm Media Development Authority Singapore Film SocietyBeach House Pictures Pte Ltd

VIDEOS Pangolin FilmsFiction Shore

BROUGHT TO YOU BY *SCAPE

ORGANISED BYSingapore International Film Festival

SUPPORTED BYNational Youth Council

SPECIAL THANKS

SPECIAL THANKS

PRESENTERS, PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

AWARD SUPPORTERS

AWARD PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNER

ORGANISED BY SUPPORTED BY

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

2 Orchard Link #04-01 Singapore 237978

www.SCAPE.sg | [email protected]

@SCAPESG #SCAPESG

31 august 2019, saturday *scape · rotolight awards and prizes awards and prizes. p. 15 jury...

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