To Kill the Birds and The Bees
For the first time since its inception, animation films
and filmmakers from the student category received the most awards from Best
Art Direction to Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Original Music at the
7th National Youth Film Awards (NYFA)
Live action films, on the other hand, won the most awards from Best Sound
Design to Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Director and Best
Original Music for the Open Youth category.
Hosted by *SCAPE, an organisation that supports the development of
Singaporean youths, NYFA awards youth filmmakers and films for 23 different
categories, including Best Actress and Best Actor.
NYFA also presents its third Youth Inspiration Award recipient - an award given
to recognise and honour a young industry professional who has made
exemplary contributions towards the filmmaking industry in Singapore and is
committed to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers.
NYFA 2021 received over 300 submissions. The most prominent discussions and
themes the youth filmmakers brought forth this year were self-identity and
mental health. Some of the films were filmed completely while at home, taking
creativity to the next level.
Animation short film, ‘To Kill the Birds and The Bees’, by Calleen Koh Yee Lin
from LASALLE College of Arts won the Best Art Direction, Best Screenplay and
Best Original Music awards.
The animation film follows three separate stories of four average Singaporeans –
a pair of young twins, a secondary school prefect, and a conservative housewife.
Each story focuses on these average Singaporeans’ sexual encounters in their
day.
Full Circle
The Best Animation award from the Student category went to ‘Full Circle’ by Yeow
Su Xian of Nanyang Technological University. The film is about the Moon and
Earth’s relationship. It takes the audience on a journey through a sleepless, semi-
conscious moonlit night.
From the Open Youth category, ‘Dark Light’ by Vikneshwaran Silva won the Best
Cinematography and Best Director awards. The film follows a construction worker
in Singapore’s unforgettable misadventure on his day off in the red light district.
Dark Light
The youth actor who played the protagonist in 'Dark Light’, Gosteloa Spancer,
received the Best Actor award for his performance.
This year, a total of 21 industry veteran jurors from the region took part in NYFA.
“Having an empowered upbringing has nurtured savoir faire in these youths’
art,” said returning juror and producer, Juan Foo. “We can see how they are
leveraging digital technology to craft films and spread them exponentially. I
look forward to seeing how these upcoming filmmakers will tell stories that
resonate with audiences, aside from being able to entertain, inform or inspire.”
Film and television actor, and first-time juror, Oon Shu An said, “I look forward
to seeing these youth filmmakers’ fire and daring approach to storytelling well
into the future. I am excited to see how far their voices will take them.”
The NYFA 2021 Youth Inspiration Award went to Tan Si En (pictured above). Not only is she the
winner for NYFA 2020 Best Live Action Award from the Open Youth category,
she has also produced several award-winning films including Anthony Chen's
‘Wet Season’ and Kirsten Tan's ‘POP AYE’. Her commitment to discover
emerging Southeast Asian filmmakers led to her founding of Momo Film Co,
which has since produced award-winning short film projects that have been
screened at major festivals such as Locarno Film Festival, International Film
Festival Rotterdam, Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and
Busan International Film Festival.
Most recently, she spearheaded the Objectifs short film incubator and Momo
Distribution Grant. Si En was also involved at the NYFA Conference this year
where she hosted a workshop on how youths can market their short films.
"The National Youth Film Awards has been a pivotal platform for young
filmmakers in Singapore,” said Si En. “The team inspires the film community,
encourages filmmakers and future generations to pursue their passion in
cinema. I am appreciative of the immense support that I received from NYFA
as a participant, the opportunities to share as a panellist speaker, and now as
the Youth Inspiration Award recipient. I look forward to working continually with
NYFA and to contribute by giving back to the local and regional film
community."
Student Category
Best Director – Strange Occurrences: Bukit Bulabu
Wong Shi Teng, Hana Lee and Gloria Yeo Jia Min
Nanyang Technological University
Best Sound Design – Skeletons In The Closet
Heng Jing Yu
Nanyang Technological University
Best Art Direction – To Kill the Birds & the Bees
Calleen Koh Yee Lin
LASALLE College Of The Arts
Best Editing – GIRLS
Jacob Tan
Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Best Screenplay – To Kill the Birds & the Bees
Calleen Koh Yee Lin
LASALLE College Of The Arts
Best Cinematography – 释怀 (Holding On, Letting Go)
Eddison Kuah
Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Best Original Music – To Kill the Birds & the Bees
Matthias Teh En
LASALLE College Of The Arts
Best Live Action – Rocketship
Peh Jia Qi
Nanyang Technological University
Best Documentary – Sum of Our Parts
Nigel Phua
Nanyang Technological University
Best Animation – Full Circle
Yeow Su Xian
Nanyang Technological University
Special Mention – Rocketship
Isaac Loong Zen Yu
Nanyang Technological University
Open Category
Best Director – Dark Light
Vikneshwaran Silva
Best Sound Design – Tuition
Alistair Quak
Best Art Direction – The Visit
Gloria
Yeo Jia Min
Best Editing – Sleep Is A Waste Of Time
Jeremie Lim
Best Screenplay – Bulan
Syamsul Bahari
Best Cinematography – Dark Light
Sadesh Nambiar
Best Original Music – The Cabbage Statue
Anirvin Narayan
Best Live Action – Tuition
Lee Yi Jia
Best Documentary – Last Day Today
Chen Wenting
Best Animation – The Visit
Jerrold Chong
Special Mention – Would This Be Too Much To Ask For?
Lan Yu & Lim Joo Hwee
Student and Open Category
Best Actor – Dark Light
Gosteloa Spancer
Best Actress – GIRLS
Dewy Choo