National Youth Film Awards 2021 - The Pre-Selection

The 7th National Youth Film Awards (NYFA) announced 56 films that showcase a new wave of filmmakers for Singapore’s film industry.

Held by *SCAPE, an organisation that supports the development of Singaporean youths, the platform saw a total of 330 submissions this year. The most prominent themes this year were mental health, self-discovery, as well as the importance of human connection as we battle through the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the nominated films were also filmed during the Circuit Breaker to showcase how Singaporeans are powering through the unforeseen challenges posed.

One film that showcased the different sides of how Singaporeans battled the Circuit Breaker period is “A Little Closer” by Cheryl Mong from the Student category. The film revolves around Ashwin, a young Indian man, who works as a Stay-Home Caller during the pandemic. While working from home, he forms an unlikely friendship with a Chinese elderly lady who helps him discover the importance of tradition and family.

A second film,   “The Cup” by Mark Chua and Lam Li Shuen from the Open Youth category, was highly regarded by the jurors for how the filmmaker took a risk to showcase a different style of storytelling.

The film uses surrealism to showcase the uncertainty and lack of joy Singaporeans felt during the pandemic by telling the story about a man with a brewing machine as his head and how he attempts to improve the bland flavour of his own body.  The entire film was shot and produced during the Circuit Breaker, while the filmmakers were confined at home.

Many of the pre-selection jurors highlighted how this year’s submissions included films that are award-worthy.

“Overall, I was very impressed with the diversity and quality of the submissions – from the acting to the scripts and the production values. The nominations were shorts I connected with on a very visceral level. There were times where I was so drawn into a film that I forgot I was watching it as a juror.”

--- Jaclyn Chan, year’s pre-selection juror of Open Youth category ---

The NYFA will be hosting a closed-door screening of the nominated films for the nominees and media in early July with the winners will be announced during a live online award ceremony on 24 July 2021.

In the meantime, some of the nominees will be on Reel Talk, a NYFA web series hosted by Fly Entertainment artiste, Nikki Muller, on *SCAPE YouTube channel (@scapesg) on 14, 17 and 21 July.

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Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes

From 9 June 2018, Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes exhibition will be transporting visitors into the dynamic Marvel Cinematic Universe as they re-live a decade of epic Marvel Studios moments. Visitors can look forward to experiencing Marvel Studios’ storytelling as they wander through the inner sanctums of Iron Man’s Stark Tower, witness the spectacular sights of Wakanda, traverse Doctor Strange’s light portal, see the world through the eyes of Ant-Man and the Wasp, and more.

Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes exhibition is part of a three-year collaboration between Singapore Tourism Board and The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia to bring unique and fun thematic events to Singapore. With ten themed sections, Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes begins at the first gallery space by presenting MARVEL films that have been released over the last decade. Visitors will have the opportunity to relive key moments from all 19 MARVEL movies. The second gallery shines a spotlight on the beloved Iron Man, a key character in this year’s highest-grossing movie Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War. Visitors will enter Stark Tower and head into Tony Stark’s workshop where they can witness the evolution of armors of Iron Man via projection mapping. 

The story of the First Avenger Captain America and his shields will be shared via 3D holograms in the third zone. Taking a scene from Marvel’s The Avengers, visitors will also be able to view a model of the S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier. Visitors will then be transported into the fourth exhibition gallery of Thor’s world via the Bifrost. They will be led into Sakaar’s magnificent gladiator arena where they can be part of the iconic battle between Thor and Hulk in Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok.

The battle ends as visitors head to the fifth area of the exhibition where they enter Yondu’s ship from Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and attempt to avoid Yondu’s flying arrow. As part of the exhibition experience, museum goers can interact and dance with baby Groot via digital screens. Transitioning into the sixth gallery, the exhibition proceeds with the mystic environment of Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange. Visitors will be transported to the New York Sanctum Sanctorum as seen in the film, while interactive displays will allow them to bend reality or create portals.

The Panther cave welcomes visitors into the seventh exhibition gallery and they can enter the futurist utopia of Wakanda. The eighth zone introduces the ant-sized/microscopic world of Scott Lang/Ant-Man. Oversized props amidst lab equipment in an area inspired by Hank Pym’s lab from the new film Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man & The Wasp will be located in this gallery.  

In the ninth gallery, visitors will be able to activate the mad titan, Thanos’ infinity gauntlet. Each of the known Infinity Stones will be introduced and activated in an interactive display. The exhibition culminates with the tenth gallery where visitors can ‘step’ on the icon of their favorite Super Hero with the use of Augmented Reality (AR) technology and watch specially created animation appear on the screen. While the visitors are leaving they can pose with their favorite Super Hero in the Marvel Studios’ 10th anniversary class photograph.

Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes is developed by The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia and Beast Kingdom; organised by SPACElogic and supported by Singapore Tourism Board, ArtScience Museum and Victory Hill Exhibitions. 

Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes will also include engaging displays curated by ArtScience Museum, which highlight the science, technology, art and cultural stories behind each Marvel Studios’ film. Visitors to the exhibition will be treated to interesting fun facts such as the Norse mythology in the Thor movies and how real life scientists have created artificial elements comparable to the one created by Tony Stark. Inspired by the geometry and tessellating imagery that result from Doctor Strange’s reality bending, one of M.C. Escher’s most famous works - his lithograph Convex and Concave (1955) which illustrates the principles of tessellating imagery will be on display in this exhibition.

Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes exhibition will run from 9 June till 30 September 2018.  Tickets are now available at all Marina Bay Sands Singapore box offices and website. Tickets prices are as follow:

	STANDARD TICKET (SGD)	SINGAPORE RESIDENT (SGD)
Adult	19	16
Senior (65 years and above)/ Student/ Child (2-12 years)	14	12
Family package (2 kids & 2 adults)	54	45

For more information, please visit www.marvelexhibition.sg

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Sony Launches Home Cinema Projectors For That Immersive 4K HDR Viewing Experience

Sony today announced the expansion of its ultra short throw home theatre line-up with the introduction of the VPL-VZ1000ES 4K HDR home theatre projector, designed to integrate easily into people’s homes. Sony’s latest innovative laser light source projector is High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatible with native 4K resolution. It can be positioned as little as six inches away from the wall, yet command the room with a 254cm (100 inch) image, measured diagonally in 16:9.

The VPL-VZ1000ES is approximately 925 x 494 x 219mm in size. Despite its compact size and lower price, the VPL-VZ1000ES generates 2,500 lumens of colour light output. Sony's advanced SXRD panels, coupled with the Z-Phosphor laser light engine, produce high dynamic contrast, enhancing the highlights and lowlights of HDR content.

"Up until now home cinema enthusiasts have needed a dedicated room for watching projected content; this isn't always ideal, since not everyone has the luxury of extra space to accommodate an extra-large screen. The new VPL-VZ1000ES changes this dynamic completely, providing an enchanting home theatre experience up to 120" in your existing living space."

-- Riki Nishimura, GM,
Business & Industrial Solutions Marketing Division, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific ---

The VPL-VZ1000ES ultra short throw 4K HDR home theatre projector is available in Singapore now at a recommended retail price of S$28,000. For more information, visit Sony's Professional Solutions website at pro.sony-asia.com.

As it projects upwards, the VPL-VZ1000ES 4K HDR projector
requires so little space that it fits easily into any compact space...

For those seeking a more immersive experience, Sony also launched its line-up of Home Cinema projectors with three new high-performance models that bring an immersive 4K HDR viewing experience to the home at IFA 2017.

The three new models introduced are:

• The premium laser light source VPL-VW760ES projector in compact design 1 reproduces stunning 4K HDR images.
• The versatile VPL-VW360ES with high dynamic contrast and adjustable function of image quality is suited for various types of viewing contents.
• The affordable VPL-VW260ES delivers immersive and authentic 4K HDR images with great value-to- cost performance.

All three new models deliver high-contrast, detail-packed images thanks to Sony’s cutting-edge native SXRD panel. This is combined with Reality Creation, an impressive resolution processing technology that uses a unique Sony algorithm to perfectly map pixels, for consistently crisp images. in addition to HDR10, which is the standard HDR format for UHD, the new projectors also support HLG for broadcast and online content.

The startling difference between SDR and HDR quality can be seen in the eyes of the marmoset...

The Reality Creation enhances the authenticity of the viewing experience...

The VPL-VW760ES produces stunning images, using a laser light source with 2,000 lumens for spectacular and long-lasting brightness. The technology ensures high-dynamic contrast with new light level control that adjusts to the brightness of the scene in real-time, so bright scenes appear more vivid and darker scenes have more depth. Because of its compact size with 496mm in depth which is 40% smaller than current laser light source model 1 , the projector is easily installed in a shelf or hang on the ceiling.

A  kaleidoscopic time lapse video on Tokyo's Asakusa night life...

 

The versatile VPL-VW360ES allows viewers to experience the beauty of 4K HDR with 1,500 lumens of brightness. The model has additional features to reproduce even more realistic images including an Advanced Iris for 200,000:1 dynamic contrast and picture positioning memory to adjust to the aspect ratio of whatever content is being shown.

Stills captured from the clip on Peru - you almost feel as if you are there by the river...

 

The VPL-VW260ES delivers a 4K HDR experience with high cost performance. The 1,500 lumens projector includes many of the features of the other two projectors, including a native 4K SXRD panel, Reality Creation and TRILUMINOS TM , so users get precise and clear images at a cost-effective price point. Both the VPL-VW360ES and the VPL-VW260ES come in black and premium white colours to fit into various customer environment.

Regardless of the type of viewing experience - documentaries, time lapse videos, movies, 

Sony's Home Cinema Projectors awe with its immersive visual reality...

For more information on Sony’s Home Cinema portfolio, visit: pro.sony-asia.com/pro/lang/en/hk/products/projectors-homecinema.

  

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The Force Is Strong At Gardens By The Bay

The Force is strong this evening on "May the 4th" - Star Wars Day - as Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) officially launches the STAR WARS DAY: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU Festival. For three days from May 4th to 6th, a dazzling spectacle awaits at the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay in celebration of both "May the 4th" and the 40th anniversary since the release of Star Wars: A New Hope.

The Minister first takes selfies on stage, then goes on to greet Chewie on his arrival...

To turn on the lights, the Minister is inducted into the Jedi brotherhood with a blue lightsaber...

Organised by local event organiser Esprimo and The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia, with event partner Gardens by the Bay and supported by Singapore Tourism Board, the festival is a full-fledged STAR WARS celebration like never before. To transport fans to a galaxy far far away, fan-led themed activities, meet-and-greet sessions with STAR WARS characters, and a multi-sensory music and lights extravaganza were organized.

A life-sized All-Terrain Scout Transport (AT-ST) - first introduced in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - stands guard at the Supertree Grove set against the panoramic Marina Bay skyline...

Now till June 2nd, visit the SuperTree Grove for the Garden Rhapsody: STAR WARS Edition. At 7.45pm and 8.45pm every night, with additional 9.45pm shows on 4 to 6 May, the spectacular light and sound show will be set against an epic STAR WARS soundtrack, with matching effects inspired from scenes such as Luke's landing in Dagobah, his first meeting with Yoda, the first appearance of Darth Vader with his lightsaber and even the fight between Anakin and Obi Wan on Mustafar.

The SaberTrees installation is a lighting marvel as it transforms the Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay into giant lightsabers that cast light beams up to 200m high...

Making their first appearance in Southeast Asia are Chewbacca, one of the heroes of the Rebellion and Kylo Ren, the dark warrior from the First Order. Choose between either for the meet and greet session. Over here, Chewie and Qui-Gon Jinn share a fun cuddly moment...

STAR WARS DAY: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU Festival kicks off a three-year collaboration between Singapore Tourism Board and The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia. Beyond the 3-day festival this weekend, fans can also expect more unique STAR WARS experiences held in Singapore in the second half of 2017. From August 31st to September 10th, there will be more galactic excitement at Orchard Road with STAR WARS Force Friday II, a global fan event celebrating the launch of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The celebration continues with a STAR WARS activation at the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC) from September 9th-10th.

Little one creating quite a stir in her Storm Trooper mask...

A Star Wars fan poses with Han Solo in carbon freeze...

Fan Art, edibles  & collectibles galore...

With Marvel and Disney Animation/Disney Pixar taking the spotlight in 2018 and 2019 respectively, locals and visitors to Singapore will continue to be entertained with a wide range of unique and fun thematic experiences and activities.

More than 60 vintage STAR WARS toys produced between 1977 and 1985 and more than 200 contemporary toys produced from 1995 to present will be on display at the fan zone...


Fan Art includes this Donald Duck light saber with a S$250 price tag with the proceeds going to charity...


The latest STAR WARS games with consoles to try out...

Decked out in their own personalized custom made movie-accurate costumes, catch the costume Fan Clubs, the 501st Legion Singapore Garrison, Rebel Legion and FightSaber, as they bring your favourite STAR WARS characters to life...

The global launch of the latest LEGO STAR WARS merchandise at the Simply Toys booth...

For more information about STAR WARS DAY: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU Festival, click here.

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Star Wars Day 2017 : Be Transported To A Galaxy Far Far Away

As part of "May the 4th" celebrations and to mark the 40th anniversary since the release of Star Wars: A New Hope, a three-day extravaganza - STAR WARS DAY: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU Festival will take place at Gardens by the Bay from 04-06 May 2017.

 

Twice nightly at 7.45pm and 8.45pm, catch the Garden Rhapsody: STAR WARS Edition featuring a dazzling 15-min music and light composition. This multi-sensory treat, set against the epic STAR WARS soundtrack will take place over these three nights only at the Supertree Grove. To round off the night, hit the dance floor for some STAR WARS themed Silent Disco on 05-06 May.

Joining us all the way from a galaxy far, far away, one of the heroes of the Rebellion, Chewbacca and Kylo Ren, the dark warrior from the First Order will both be in town for the festival. Decked out in their own personalized custom made movie accurate costumes, catch the costume Fan Clubs, the 501st legion, Rebel Legion and FightSaber as your favorite characters. The iconic All-Terrain Scout Transport (AT-ST) - first introduced in STAR WARS: The Empire Strikes Back – will be standing guard at the Supertree Grove.

This STAR WARS fandom festival will culminate with the inaugural STAR WARS RUN Singapore 2017 on the last evening. Participants can choose to experience the 4.5km route, joining the Rebellion on their plight for justice on the Light side, or walk in Darth Vader’s footsteps to uncover the great powers of the Dark side. For the test of ultimate endurance, the 10km competitive route which passes through a section of the 4.5km Dark side thematic route. 

This event is organised by local event organiser Esprimo with the support of Singapore Tourism Board and event partner Gardens by the Bay. For more details, visit the website here.
   

Be There is our coverage on the exciting launch!

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Singapore Science Centre - Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.

Take on the role of recruits, be part of a combat support network for the Avengers, and explore the history and scientific origins of your favourite Avengers including Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America and Thor.

THE MISSION

Visitors enter as recruits and are granted probationary status with the objective of experiencing and learning the world of the Avengers, by carrying out detailed examinations of the History, Genetics, Technology, Mission and Personal Profiles of the Avengers team.

Before entering the exhibition, all recruits are advised to download the AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N. MOBILE TRAINING DEVICE application on their mobile phones. The application is available for free in the App Store and Android Google Play.

   

BRIEFING ROOM

Recruits, are you ready? You are about to receive your mission brief from Agent Maria Hill. Once your App is loaded and ready, you will be guided through your training by Tony Stark’s Artificial Intelligence - F.R.I.D.A.Y. The app will give you access and insight into every exhibit, so keep it handy during your visit. Now let’s begin.

 

CAPTAIN AMERICA

The first Avenger, Captain America, was recruited for the Super Soldier program because of his strength in character. Here you will learn about the resulting physiological enhancements from Dr. Erskine’s program. Learn about vibranium and its scientific properties, then test the shield yourself. Or hop on Captain America’s bike to continue the adventure.

 

Captain America's High-Performance Test Area

Are you stronger than Captain America? Try your hand at reaching Captain America’s extreme level of fitness at our High Performance Test Lab. Go through a strength test, cognitive reflex assessment and endurance test, and let’s see if you are worthy of being an S.T.A.T.I.O.N. recruit.

BRUCE BANNER's BIO-LAB

Bioengineering Research Bay

What do Captain America and the Hulk have in common? The Super Soldier Serum. Learn how the Super Soldier Serum works and its effect on Hulk’s blood.

The Advanced Diagnostic Screen

Watch the Hulk come alive through an interactive live screen display.

Hulk Neuro Display

What goes on in the Hulk’s mind? Learn about the brain and the neurological changes that he experiences.

SPECTROMETRY BAY

The Tesseract Portal Device

Witness and study the electromagnetic spectrum readings emanating from the Tesseract as the S.T.A.T.I.O.N. attempts to reopen the portal.

PERSONNEL AREA

We trust you, recruit. Here you may delve into the personnel files of The Avengers members and inspect their uniforms.

On the left is the life-size display of both Black Widow's and Hawkeye's suits... 

The Falcon’s majestic wing suit simulation shows the structural operation of the suit...



Ant-Man’s suit and revolutionary helmet on display.
There are even light simulations of ants on the floor! 

 

CONTAINMENT ROOM

A good agent always knows his enemies. Learn more about Chitauri, the Dark Elf and Loki through these displays. Here you will also find Loki’s Asgardian robes.

 

THOR OBSERVATORY

 


    

Discover the scientific theory that allows Bifrost transport Thor from Asgard to Midgard (Earth). Learn about the Dark Matter and how it relates to the Dark Elves. Find out the isotope detected in Thor’s hammer through the accelerated mass spectrometer. Take a closer look at Thor’s warrior garments and helmet.



Mjölnir Simulation

Are you worthy, recruit? Why not try lifting the Mjölnir? Legend says that only Thor and Vision are known to be able to control this hammer.



Eyes on ExoPlanets

Explore the entire universe on a giant interactive screen using NASA’s latest computer technology, Eyes On ExoPlanets. Scroll through stars that are millions of light miles away, or venture into the wondrous Marvel solar system and visit faraway planets. 

  

 

IRON MAN's ADVANCD ENGINEERING BAY

Hulkbuster Experience

It’s time to test your flight skills, recruit. Put on Iron Man’s suit in augmented reality and get set, jet!

All you have to do is to stand still and the AR fits you with your own Iron Man suit -
Best AR game ever!

 

 

 
Here, the War Machine exosuit stands ready for Rhodey... 

Standing over 3 metres tall, the Hulkbuster is ready to rumble...

 

Hall of Armour

Study Iron Man’s collection of MK 1-7 Suits and learn more about their capabilities through this interactive exhibit.  

 

 

KIDS PLAY AREA

Some interactive games for the family include colouring of superhero cut-outs and making of superhero keychains.

GAME ROOM

At this final stage, team up with fellow visitors and take on the roles of The Avengers to battle villains in an interactive game. 



Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is located at Annex Hall and will run from 29 October 2016 to 05 March 2017. Tickets are priced from $18 for Children, and $25 for Adults. Tickets are available at SISTIC www.sistic.com.sg/events/cmarvel2017 and more information is available at www.science.edu.sg/exhibitions/Pages/AvengersStation.aspx. 

 

DECEMBER HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Omni-Theatre

Science Centre Singapore’s (SCS) Omni-Theatre, Southeast Asia’s first 8K 3D Dome Theatre, launched its inaugural 3D Digital Dome movie today. A first in the region, the animated film Natural Selection 3D tells an immersive tale of renowned naturalist Charles Darwin’s scientific journeys around the world on the HMS Beagle, his discovery of the evolution of life on Earth and his theory of natural selection. Natural Selection 3D is now available to members of the public, and is targeted at those aged 10 and up. Tickets for all shows are priced at $14. For more information, visit www.science.edu.sg. 

   

Snow City

Snow City offers educational programmes that are all conceptualized in the context of low temperatures (from -196°C to 0°C). For this Christmas season, there are exciting yuletide themed decorations. For the young ones, there are even gentler slides and snow toys for them.  

For more information, visit www.snowcity.com.sg.



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