Write a short summary of what happens in the film.

The career prospects of fresh graduates were grim thanks to COVID-19. We created “From Support to Success”, a short film that chronicles the struggles of a fresh graduate finding a job during the pandemic. Set during Singapore’s partial lockdown, the protagonist begins to feel the pressure of finding a job as graduation beckons. Through the overlapping voiceovers and quick cuts, we see her becoming increasingly worried as the pandemic worsens. Her frustration is further ramped up by the constant but well-meaning probing from her parents. Eventually, the situation comes to head at a family dinner, and our protagonist breaks down. What follows is a moving scene between the protagonist and her father. She comes to the realisation that she is not alone in her struggles and eventually secures an interview. The film then highlights the programme the Singapore government has put in place to support fresh graduates like her.

Cultural / Context information for the jury

In Singapore, the archetype of a normal Singaporean is one who is gainfully employed with a 9-to-5 job and dreams of owning his or her own home. Work is an unquestionable, cardinal virtue, and an unemployed person is seen as somewhat ‘deficient’. As a result, there is a strong societal pressure to find a job as soon as one graduates. The film taps on this widely known but rarely acknowledged societal norm as the main cultural setting of the film. The film also features excerpts from Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s May Day Rally, a first in Singapore. It is a reference to the pioneering generations of Singaporeans, who at pivotal points of our nation’s history, overcame the challenges to take Singapore from third world to first. This is a powerful national narrative that Singaporeans are fiercely proud of and embodies what it means to be a Singaporean.

Tell the jury anything relevant about the edit. Do not name the editor.

We wanted to create a film that was realistic and relatable to anyone in the same situation. The film starts at a frenetic pace, which gradually slows down to reflect the psyche of the protagonist as she receives the support of her loved ones. The scenes and transitions are cut at an uneven pace to further play up this sense of disarray. To convey the sense of helplessness and frustration she is feeling, shots are cropped tighter while the background is blurred to create a boxed-in effect. The sound design was also edited to amplify the emotions felt by the protagonist. The overlapping voiceovers, along with the news flashes and soundbites come together to form an audioscape that feels overwhelming and disorientating to reflect the anxiety and frustration she is feeling. The result is an emotionally powerful and stirring film that tugs at the heartstrings of viewers.