CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: STOREYS, A New Initiative by CreativesAtWork and IMDA4 min read
Reading Time: 3 minutesMedia agency CreativesAtWork, supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), has launched a new initiative called “STOREYS” to discover, fund, and promote independent content creators.
The initiative is part of IMDA’s efforts to extend the reach of public service content to digital platforms. Announced by Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information, at the Digital Inclusion Festival 2019, the initiative aims to encourage content creators to create impactful stories to drive positive social change in Singapore.
Alongside seven independent local content creators — Singapore actor and online personality Andie Chen, up-and-coming digital content creator Jaze Phua, and independent filmmakers Anshul Tiwari, Clare Chong, Derrick Lui, Ghazi Alqudcy, and Stanley Xu — CreativesAtWork is launching an open call-for-entries to invite another eight content creators to participate in this national social impact journey.
With the theme “Framing a Better Home”, participants can choose from any of the following categories: Community, Elderly, Environment, Family, Underprivileged and Youth. They will create compelling stories with a positive message to drive social change in our local community
Selected content creators will receive guidance from award-winning mentors, such as Nas Daily, vlogger and creator of popular video series Nas Daily, and Josiah Ng, Head of Film and Social Content at advertising firm DDB Group Singapore, in creating a video based on their chosen cause. IMDA will provide content creators with a six-month access to PIXEL1’s co-working space and production facilities, such as video and audio studios, film production equipment and editing software.
The completed videos will be shared online through social media, with the final eight story submissions selected based on panel evaluation and audience voting. The short film with the highest number of local views will receive funding to produce a second video.
STOREYS aims to distribute these stories to global audiences, by submitting the videos to international film festivals.
Ms Dorothy Lai, Director, Strategic Media Partnership, IMDA said, “As viewing preferences evolve, IMDA is also exploring new ways and platforms to bring engaging public service content closer to Singaporeans, especially younger viewers on digital platforms. IMDA’s partnership with CreativesAtWork will help uncover new and emerging talents and support their efforts in creating compelling stories to celebrate Singapore’s culture and national identity. We look forward to seeing these inspiring Singapore stories that will drive positive social change.”
Ms Fanny Tham, Co-founder of CreativesAtWork, said: “The inspiration behind STOREYS is to provide independent content creators with the opportunity to drive positive social change, through the work that we do. We believe that trend towards consumption of content online can serve as a force for greater good. Hence, we had the idea of getting local creators to produce a series of short videos that will engage audiences online. We hope that the stories will make Singaporeans sit up and say, ‘Wow. I want to do something to change this!’”
Submissions for STOREYS will close on 13 August.
The selection will take place from 14 to 31 August 2019. Mentorship and production will commence from September till December.
The final videos will be released from January 2020.
For more information about STOREYS and to submit your original stories, please visit the official website here.
About CreativesAtWork
Based in Asia, CreativesAtWork is a media agency that brings together project owners and media freelancers from all over the world. We work with top-performing media freelancers to provide a complete solution to every project owner’s content creations’ needs and requirements. To find out more about us, please visit our official website and follow us on Facebook @creativesatwork.asia
About the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation with infocomm media. To do this, IMDA will develop a dynamic digital economy and a cohesive digital society, driven by an exceptional infocomm media (ICM) ecosystem – by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore’s ICM infrastructure.
IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment, and enhances Singapore’s data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission. For more news and information, visit IMDA’s website or follow IMDA on Facebook and Twitter @IMDAsg.