Winner of the DBS Best Picture Award at NYFA 2016, 'Han' by Shammini Gunasegaran
The National Youth Film Awards (NYFA) is back for a third season and submissions are open now! Previously open only to Singaporean and PR students enrolled in a media-related course at any Institute of Higher Learning (IHL), this year’s competition widens its reach, welcoming submissions by non-media students aged between 18 and 35, as well as foreign students enrolled in local schools.
Setting out to establish and raise the national benchmark for excellence in film, NYFA was inaugurated in 2015, and attracted a record 260 submissions across 20 award categories in its last edition. This year, three new awards with cash prizes of up to $1,500 have been introduced under the competition category for non-media students, bringing the total number of awards up for grabs to 23.
Christopher Pragasam, Executive Director of *SCAPE – which organises the annual marquee initiative – said, “Singapore has seen a huge revival and burst of energy in the local film scene, and this is evident even amongst our youths. Many are picking up technical film skills like scriptwriting, editing, and photography in school, but with the accessibility and ease of technology, many more are developing their creativity and cinematic talents on their own. It is important that we continue to engage and elevate their passion, and empower a new generation of auteurs and storytellers, making filmmaking rewarding for as many young people as possible.”
Jonathan Choo receiving the Best Director award in 2016. Picture courtesy of *SCAPE
An 18-member jury panel has been appointed to assess the submissions, consisting of industry stalwarts from diverse backgrounds. New jurists include Yuni Hadi (Objectifs Centre of Film and Photography; Singapore International Film Festival), Jocelyn Little (Beach House Pictures), Kristin Saw (IMDA), Tan Fong Cheng (Zhao Wei Films), filmmakers Daniel Yam and Don Aravind, and Rennie Gomes (Yellow Box Studios); among other heavyweights.
NYFA 2017 Awards Director, Nicholas Chee, shared, “With the recent spotlight and celebration of women in film, I am especially glad to have Yuni, Jocelyn, Kristin and Fong Cheng on board, who bring a wealth of industry experience and fresh insights towards the art and future of filmmaking. Together with the rest of our jury, they are a reflection of the diversity of voices and talent that make up Singapore’s vibrant cinematic landscape, and I am confident that they will also serve as inspiration for our youth.”
The public will be able to weigh in on this year’s competition too – shortlisted films under the non-media student category will be open to public voting for the first time, with the three films receiving the highest votes being awarded accordingly. Youths who are interested in the film industry and want to expand their knowledge on filmmaking will also be able to participate in NYFA workshops, masterclasses and film screenings held between May and June 2017. Details will be announced at a later date.
NYFA 2017 is open for submission from now until Saturday 15 April 2017, 2359hrs (GMT +8), and will culminate in an Awards Ceremony on Saturday 22 July 2017, with Ms Grace Fu, Minister of Culture, Community and Youth, attending as Guest-of-Honour. For more information, visit www.scape.sg/nyfa.