ciNE65 Season Three Concludes on a Record High

Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman (right) with the winners of the Overall Best Film in the Student Category.

The third season of the ciNE65 short film competition concluded this evening at Joyden Hall, Bugis+ with a record number of entries and participating schools. "Unwavering" took home the top honours for "Overall Best Film" in the Open Category; while "Home-made家味" won "Overall Best Film", as well as "Best Screenplay" and "Best Sound Design" in the Student Category. Both teams walked away with the grand prize of an overseas learning trip to an international film festival, in addition to cash prizes and Panasonic cameras. "Sightless" won the Favourite Film award which was determined by public voting. The Inter-School Challenge Trophy went to Ngee Ann Polytechnic, which submitted the highest number of quality entries in the Student Category.

"Best Documentary", a new award introduced this season to recognise the craft of film-makers who document everyday life in Singapore, was won by "一针一线 (A Needle A Stitch)" and "Dedication", in the Open and Student Categories, respectively. 12 other awards were also given out for Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Sound Design, Favourite Actor and Favourite Actress. [Please refer to the Fact sheet for full list of winners]. 

Speaking at the Awards Ceremony, Guest-of-Honour Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Minister of State for Defence, said that the response this year was heartening especially as Singapore celebrates 50 years of nationhood. Sharing his thoughts on the entries this year, Dr Maliki said, "The volume and variety of interpretations on the theme, "Believing • Home" shows how deeply we feel about Singapore, our home.  Many of the ciNE65 films relate to me personally… Indeed, while each of the films explores the subject of home from a different perspective, taken together, the films tell the story of us as one people. They celebrate the things that make us Singaporean, and how far we have come together as a nation – the values, places and memories we cherish, the common traits and lingo we all share, and our beliefs, hopes and dreams for the future." Dr Maliki also commended the film-makers for their hard work which he said was "evident in the superb quality of the films".

As Singapore celebrates SG50, ciNE65 Season Three invited the participants to reflect on our past, present and future, with the theme "Believing • Home". The competition received a record number of 230 entries from the public and 20 participating schools – more than three times the entries received and close to twice the number of participating schools in ciNE65's inaugural run in 2011.

Sharing his thoughts on clinching the overall best film in the Open Category, Mr Lawrence Loh, director of "Unwavering" said, "I was overwhelmed as it's unexpected, especially with the great entries submitted. But I'm very glad that the film pulled through, because it's a testament for the work we have done as a team. I'm especially thankful for the talented crew, and for everyone who have supported us. Winning this definitely motivates us to continue to do what we love". Mr Aloysius Lee, director and editor of "Home-made 家味" which won the overall best film in the Student Category said, I'm very thankful for the team - we have been friends since our first year in school and we have been through a lot. Everyone has different skills, so we are fortunate to have come together. This film is really meaningful for us as it is our final project together representing Ngee Ann Polytechnic".

Launched by Nexus in July 2011, ciNE65 encourages aspiring film-makers to tell their Singapore story and what Singapore means to them. Through ciNE65, Nexus hopes to harness the potential of short films to touch the hearts and minds of Singaporeans and to recognise and nurture local film-making talents.

Director Nexus Colonel Roland Ng (left) with the ciNE65 Season Three jury panel.

Dr Maliki (left) interacting with the ciNE65 participants.

More Resources

• Speech by Minister Of State For Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman at Cine65 Awards Ceremony, Joyden Hall, 12 Jun 2015

• Fact Sheet: ciNE65 Fact Sheet