The second season of short film competition ciNE65 ended with a record number of 166 submission entries where “Priceless” and “Going Away” won the ‘Overall Best Film’ in the open and student category respectively.
A total of 18 awards were presented on Tuesday at Golden Village Grand, Great World City. Read more to find out the awards list and clips of the winnings films!
With the theme “I’ll Be There For You, Singapore”, ciNE65 II attracted 166 film entries across three categories - Jury’s Choice Awards, Audience Choice Award and the Inter-School Challenge, more than double that of the inaugural run in 2011.
Crowd favourite Mdm Choo won the Audience choice 'Favourite actress' award!
The panel of judges comprised of renowned film directors and film industry professionals sifted through the films and selected them based on five judging criteria - Relevance to theme, Ability to convey idea, Execution and treatment, Originality and Emotive impact. Film-maker Jasmine Ng mentioned that it was interesting to see how people interpreted the theme, from topics related to National Service, music and even using food as a medium to tell a story.
Commissioned film-makers Ray Pang and Anthony Chen were present at the awards ceremony to not only give out present the awards to aspiring film-makers, they also created their version of the theme “I’ll Be There For You, Singapore”. Director of award-winning film Ilo Ilo, Anthony Chen said that it was the shortest film made to date.
(While on the topic of Ilo Ilo, be sure to check out our InC-terview exclusive! with Anothony Chen!)
“I’ve told stories in 100 minutes, I’ve told stories in 30 minutes, 20 minutes and 10 minutes but I’ve never told a story in one minute, so that that was an interesting challenge”, he continued.
Kenny Tan, director of ‘Priceless’ clinched the ‘Overall Best Film’ and ‘Best Screenplay’ for the open category, walked away with a combined cash prize of $4000, a Panasonic professional camera worth $7350, a product voucher of $500, a learning trip and submission to a regional film festival.
The 30-year-old writer-director mentioned that he wanted to have an emotional response for the film and took about 4-5 hours to film his short film. The idea of using the country erasers was based on his memories as a student and that how the Singapore-flag eraser was the most expensive and rare collectable.
"Priceless'
Tariq, a 21-year-old Temasek Polytechnic film student won the ‘Overall Best Film’ for the student category expressed his excitement and happiness when his film title was being called out. The main message he hopes this film would bring is to ‘believe what you want to protect’, and in this context, Singapore. “I wanted an unique concept but with a different twist, using a girl increases the sense of patriotism and have a greater impact,” the final-year student commented.
"Going Away"
Creative minds behind "Honey", favourite film in the Audience Choice Category
Launched in February 2013, ciNE65 II aims to strengthen the emotional connection of our people to Singapore through film. It also serves as a unique platform to recognise and nurture film-making talents, thereby contributing towards the development of the local short film scene.
(Watch all the films from the Open Category and Student Category at ciNE65 website!)
“Overall Best Film” Award
- Student Category: “Going Away”
- Open Category: “Priceless”
“Best Direction” Award
- Student Category: “I’ll Be There For You”
- Open Category: “忘不了 Unforgettable”
“Best Editing” Award
- Student Category: “The Red Knight”
- Open Category: “Vanishing Trades”
“Best Screenplay” Award
- Student Category: “Love Is Blind”
- Open Category: “Priceless”
“Best Sound Design” Award
- Student Category: “Bonds”
- Open Category: “忘不了 Unnforgettable”
“Best Cinematography” Award
- Student Category: “Journey”
- Open Category: “Pawn"
“Best Art Direction” Award
- Student Category: “Bonds”
- Open Category: “Saga Seed”
Audience’s Choice Awards
- Favourite Film: “Honey”
- Favourite Actor: Daryl Yeo - “Singapore, 还可以啦”
- Favourite Actress: Mdm Choo Ai Keow - “忘不了 Unforgettable”
Inter-School Challenge Award
Special Mention Awards
- Student Category: “Amazing Grace”
- Open Category: “Honey”, “Jam and Cheese” and “I Will Be There For You Singapore”