Catch the nominees at the Singapore Youth Film Festival
Fans of the art of film, this one’s for you! The Singapore Youth Film Festival, previously known as the National Youth Film Awards, will showcase a fresh slate of films by budding student and youth filmmakers. This year’s festival will take place from 31 Oct to 13 Nov.
If you’re simply looking for a good time, catch SYFF — Cinema. It is a collaboration between Scape Singapore and GV x The Projector to bring festival films to the public. The short films will be split into 12 programmes with showings from 31 Oct to 8 Nov. Each programme comes at only S$10.
1 programme is already sold out and viewers can still catch 11 other programmes.
Please note that each programme is a compilation of 4 to 5 short films. Therefore, the highest age rating will apply upon admission to each programme. Click here to find out the age rating for each film. Age ratings are also included in the list stated below.
1. The 16 Melodies ராகங்கள் பதினாறு (Programme 1)
Director: Muthaiah Keerthivasan
Language(s): Tamil, English
Category: Open Youth
“The 16 Melodies ராகங்கள் பதினாறு” is a 15-minute drama about Nithya who doubts her father Karthik’s love for her mother after he starts a new relationship with a woman, Sakthi. As she navigates her feelings about her parents, she discovers an old song that unites her past, present and future. This revelation is the key to her deciding between acceptance and rejection.
This film is a part of SYFF’s Programme 1: Light Might Come. This programme tells tales of endless darkness. These stories bring messages of hope that, despite the dark times, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Other films in this programme are “Cloudy”, “INSPIRASI”, “Today’s Sunlight Falls Weakly On You” and “Fishing for Words”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 1: Light Might Come.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 6pm, 31 Oct (Thu)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: NC16
2. Job Hunt (Programme 2)
Director: Enze Kay
Language(s): English
Category: Open Youth
“Job Hunt” is a 15-minute drama about Shannon who just returned from studying in the US. She reconnects with her old friend Cassandra. They embark on an online job search together at Shannon’s home. Quickly, both begin to lose hope in their chances in the job market. As the two face this harsh reality together, they reconnect their long-lost friendship.
This film is part of SYFF’s Programme 2: At Our Core. This programme is a celebration of uniqueness and individuality. It embraces us connecting to our inner selves, revealing the most authentic version of who we are.
Other films in this programme are “The Pirate Club”, “Mother’s Recipe 母亲的食谱”, “Alive 生” and “Unlearning, Relearning”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 2: At Our Core.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 7pm, 1 Nov (Fri)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: R21
3. Alive 生 (Programme 2)
Director: Taylor Ong Yin Meng
Language(s): Mandarin
Category: Student
“Alive 生” is a 15-minute post-apocalyptic drama. It tells of a world where people run on treadmills in order to generate electricity. With this being the only source of energy, everyone has a daily quota to meet. An 18-year-old girl struggling to meet these demands comes across a disillusioned 30-year-old man, who is ready to escape this life. Through this, the girl learns what it means to be alive.
This film is part of SYFF’s Programme 2: At Our Core. This programme is a celebration of uniqueness and individuality. It embraces us connecting to our inner selves, revealing the most authentic version of who we are.
Other films in this programme are “The Pirate Club”, “Mother’s Recipe 母亲的食谱”, “Job Hunt” and “Unlearning, Relearning”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 2: At Our Core.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 7pm, 1 Nov (Fri)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: R21
4. Raising Champions | Journey to the Special Olympics (Programme 3)
Director: Merilyn Cheong
Language(s): English
Category: Open Youth
“Raising Champions | Journey to the Special Olympics” is a 20-minute documentary that follows Nicholas, who has Autism, and Hazimah, who has Global Development Delay (GDD). They represented Singapore at the 2023 Special Olympics.
The film depicts their journey of sheer grit and mental fortitude, from relentless training to finally competing on an international stage. It is a touching story for they aren’t just fighting for themselves but also competing to honour their mothers.
This film is part of SYFF’s Programme 3: The Body Remembers. This programme is about limitless potential. Regardless of our mistakes or flaws, there is an inherent greatness within all of us that is waiting to be unlocked.
Other films in this programme are “Birthmarks”, “Paper Planes, Don’t Always Soar”, and “Milk 奶”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 3: The Body Remembers.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 9.30pm, 1 Nov (Fri)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: PG13
5. Desync (Programme 4)
Director: Minerva Navasca
Language(s): English, Tagalog
Category: Open Youth
“Desync” is a 12-minute drama about a Filipina filmmaker who is adapting a fight between herself and her mother into film. It is a tangled web of misunderstandings and miscommunication. As she strives to achieve the perfect scene, she rewrites every moment to achieve forgiveness between the two characters. In the end, she finally understands what her mother had been trying to tell her.
This film is part of SYFF’s Programme 4: In The Margins. This programme is about everyone having unique experiences that bring them down different paths in life. It reminds us that we must overlook these differences; all we want is understanding.
Other films in this programme are “Peace Funeral Home”, “Casting a Light on the Dance of Darkness”, “Homecoming”, and “Bridging our times”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 4: In The Margins.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 1pm, 2 Nov (Sat)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: NC16
6. Sad Birds Still Fly (Programme 5)
Director: Tapay Charissa Isabel Baluya, Juliana Seah Yong Xian
Language(s): English
Category: Student
“Sad Birds Still Fly” is an 18-minute documentary stylistically depicting the lives of exotic birds in Singapore. These birds suffer from bird collisions, deforestation and the threat of extinction. It takes you into the everyday existence of these birds, through the perspective of a radio podcast, with ambient sounds. Directors Baluya and Seah have collaborated with a team of experts to bring this film to life.
This film is part of SYFF’s Programme 5: Transitions. This programme embraces the curveballs of life. The twists and turns that take us to places we’ve never been. In these unfamiliar environments, we embrace ourselves and our unique experiences.
Other films in this programme are “Sacred Cow (திட்டமிடப்பட்ட விபத்து)”, “Jupiter from Kembangan”, “The Core As An Enemy”, and “To Home With Me (Rumah Hati)”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 5: Transitions.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 3.30pm, 2 Nov (Sat)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: PG13
7. The Passing 石卵路 (Programme 9)
Director: Gavin Chua
Language(s): Mandarin, Cantonese
Category: Open Youth
“The Passing 石卵路” is a 19-minute drama about a father and daughter navigating personal issues. By understanding their conflicting priorities, they face the uncertainties of their future and learn to live in the moment.
This film is part of SYFF’s Programme 9: Awakenings. This programme is about embracing the uncertainties of life. Only in doing so will we be able to face the harsh realities and set ourselves free.
Other films in this programme are “Voicemails”, “Bond Slaves”, “A Landfill”, and “Janus”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 9: Awakenings.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 5.30pm, 3 Nov (Sun)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: PG13
8. The Moon & Me or {the unbearable weight of existence} (Programme 10)
Director: Marcus Liew
Language(s): English
Category: Open Youth
“The Moon & Me or {the unbearable weight of existence}” is a 15-minute drama about a father and daughter’s journey of love, loss and the fragility of mortality. Forced to release their beloved pet terrapin in the wake of a catastrophe, they have to then tackle their inner demons and conflicting emotions. As the end of times reaches their doorstep, they face the inevitability of their doom and the absurdity of existence.
This film is part of SYFF’s Programme 10: Reimagining Tomorrows. This programme highlights our ever-expanding world. The mysteries of time and space. It is a hopeful look at life that tackles present hardship by anticipating future possibilities.
Other films in this programme are “Without Me நான் இன்றி”, “The Seven Seas of Sage”, “King of Ubi”, and “Eyes Forward”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 10: Reimagining Tomorrows.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 6pm, 7 Nov (Thu)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: NC16
9. sonder (Programme 11)
Director: Chen Yang Hun Owen
Language(s): English, Mandarin
Category: Student
“sonder” is a 20-minute drama that follows Steven, a grieving widower who is asked by a priest to burn his late wife’s belongings. In this journey, he goes to a club and meets a troubled teenage girl. Together, they carry Steven’s burden and help each other make peace and find the closure that they need.
This film is part of SYFF’s Programme 11: Making & Unmaking. This programme is about the inevitability of change. Change allows us to grow. It makes us more empathetic and allows us to confront our own inherent biases.
Other films in this programme are “exits / entrances“, “Eating Fish”, and “My Final Farewell Before I Die”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 11: Making & Unmaking.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 7pm, 8 Nov (Fri)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: PG13
10. exits / entrances (Programme 11)
Director: Lim Yen
Language(s): English, Spanish
Category: Open Youth
“exits / entrances” is a 12-minute documentary. It tells a tale of human connection. The director explores the Spanish-speaking Yucatan community, highlighting their grace, kindness and spirituality. Initially, he struggled to make this film due to the language barrier. However, the difficulty in communication went from a hurdle to the entire core of the story. It is a tale that goes beyond boundaries, a human connection that transcends language and a freedom that comes with embracing the unknown.
This film is part of SYFF’s Programme 11: Making & Unmaking. This programme is about the inevitability of change. Change allows us to grow. It makes us more empathetic and allows us to confront our own inherent biases.
Other films in this programme are “Eating Fish”, “sonder” and “My Final Farewell Before I Die”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 11: Making & Unmaking.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 7pm, 8 Nov (Fri)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: PG13
11. Trilingual Education Programme (Programme 12)
Director: Andre Chong
Language(s): Hokkien, Mandarin, English, Hakka, Cantonese, Teochew, Hainanese
Category: Student
“Trilingual Education Programme” is a 22-minute drama set in a future version of Singapore where dialect has been formally reintroduced to Chinese schools. The story follows Kun, an English-educated teacher who is transferred to a Chinese school. To assimilate, Kun is to work with Dakota, a dialect tutor, to learn a dialect. Kun must prove his proficiency in dialect or risk his family losing their only source of income.
This film is part of SYFF’s Programme 12: Now & Then. This programme is about the intertwining of our past, present and future. The past is a lesson for us in the present, influencing the decisions we make in the future.
Other films in this programme are “The Bun”, “A Piece of Mine: Liew Chew 传承世代: 廖珠”, “Heartland”, and “From Before”.
Click here to book tickets to Programme 12: Now & Then.
Ticket Price: S$10
Showtime: 9.30pm, 8 Nov (Fri)
Location: Cinema Hall 2 — GV x The Projector (Cineleisure), 5th & 6th Floor
Programme Age Rating: R21
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