Description

Now in its 10th year, the National Youth Film Awards (NYFA) has evolved into the Singapore Youth Film Festival (SYFF), a full-fledged festival that celebrates a decade of nurturing young filmmakers in Singapore.

For the first time since NYFA’s inception, all nominated films for the SYFF 2024 in the Student and Open Youth categories will be available to the public through ticketed in-cinema screenings at Golden Village x The Projector at Cineleisure from 31 October 2024 to 8 November 2024. A 30-minute post-screening Q&A with filmmakers will also be held after each screening.

This is a first-of-its-kind showcase of films by our local budding filmmakers, offering viewers a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the vivid reflection of youth voices, revealing the hopes, dreams and fears of a new generation. 

Cinema goers can look forward to a showcase of 56 short films created by local youth filmmakers, exploring topics including family loss, sexuality, and Special Olympics through animation, documentary, and live action mediums. 

Key films to look out for, as below.

1. Today’s Sunlight Falls Weakly On You by Director Lim Yuzheng

Live Action / 15:00 / Tamil / PG

A woman talks off-camera about her memories of a loved one. A strange veil has settled over her life. Her dreams are repeatedly haunted by strange ghosts. The cause might be noise from the newly built highway, which the neighbours also blame for their eerie dreams as they move away. In the woman’s narration, consolation and grief alternate in equal measure, while the chirping of crickets settles over the silence of the night. A dim reflection on loss and transience.

2. Eyes Forward by Director Audrie Chee Qian Yu

Documentary / 11:30 / English / Rating to be advised

Joan Hung is a 27-year-old visually impaired para-athlete from the Singapore national goalball team. Despite her happy-go-lucky demeanour, Joan faces the struggle of coping with her deteriorating eyesight, all while maintaining her deep passion for sports. Through sports like goalball and judo, Joan challenges societal norms, emphasising themes of vulnerability, passion, and perspective. Eyes Forward portrays Joan’s world, where she breaks free from environmental limitations to inspire viewers to push their boundaries and find their own form of freedom.

3. Cloudy by Director Joshua Pereira

Animation / 06:59 / English / Rating to be advised

Elliot’s day takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with a little creature. Together, they embark on a little adventure to get it back to its mother, all while avoiding his.

4. Birthmarks by Directors Katriel Sim Yuxuan and Jordon Gan

Documentary / 12:21 / English / Rating to be advised

Is a parent’s love truly unconditional? Joy and Jordon are the youngest of five siblings, and the only two left living with their aged parents. In between family meals and confessionals, we discover the four perspectives of living in a multigenerational household. With topics such as generational trauma, parental expectations, and familial sacrifices, we unveil a tale of love and neglect within the Gan Family.

Winners of the SYFF 2024 will be announced at the SYFF Award Ceremony held at *SCAPE The Ground Theatre on 13 November 2024, Wednesday at 3pm. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on *SCAPE’s social media platform on Facebook.

SYFF 2024 Nominees: FIND OUT MORE HERE

SYFF 2024 Cinema: FIND OUT MORE HERE

FIND OUT MORE HERE

READ: FILMMAKERS IN SINGAPORE