Expanding Horizons Beyond the Reel - Nurturing Talent, Fostering Resilience

SFYC Youth Leadership Program

Join us on a 4-day transformative journey with the Short Film Youth Competition (SFYC) in 2024! This year, we’re going beyond the competition to offer a unique Youth Leadership Program (sponsored by NYC) aimed at nurturing your talent and fostering resilience. Our program, “Expanding Horizons Beyond the Reel,” is designed to support your artistic growth and mental well-being, ensuring you’re equipped to thrive both on and off the screen.

Thank you for your support and interest. Due to the overwhelming interest for this program, we have to close registrations early.

Do sign up for our mailing list to be kept up to date on MHFFS news & updates.

The venue will be disclosed upon confirmation of your registration. (It is in the CBD)

What is the Youth Leadership Program ?

What will you learn ?

  1. Mental Health Awareness Talk 101,
  2. Suicide Prevention 
  3. Resillence Training:

In partnership with Caring for Life, we’re offering vital suicide prevention and resilience training workshops. These sessions will provide you with essential tools and knowledge to foster a supportive and caring environment within the SFYC community.

Leadership Core Values Training: in collaboration with Common Ground and Jade Life & Wellness Coaching Academy to develop core leadership values.

Learn to navigate challenges, build strong social connections, and enhance your overall well-being.

  • Increase in Awareness: Gain a deeper understanding of mental health and leadership.
  • Increase in Skills: Develop practical skills to support your personal growth.
  • Increase in Collaboration: Work together to address social concerns and build a supportive community.

Upon the completion of the entire 4-day program:

  • You will be presented with a certificate of completion co-signed by NYC & MHFFS.
  • You will be able to serve as a Mental Health Film Festival Singapore Ambassador @ our 5th Mental Health Film Festival (7 to 10 November 2024) and get to watch the films for free!
  • You will be eligible to be invited to our exclusive learning journeys.

Who can participate?

Youths 17 to 30 years old.

Don’t need prior Mental Health knowledge.

Don’t need to be an existing volunteer with MHFFS.

Being a filmmaker is a plus but not necessary.

Mentors & Trainers

Eric Chua
Eric Chua Senior Parliamentary Secretary
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development

Mr. Eric Chua serves as Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Before being elected to Parliament in July 2020, he spent 17 years in the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs. He held key roles such as Director of the SGSecure Programme Office and Commander of the 3rd SCDF Division, earning the Pingat Kepujan (Commendation Medal) National Day Award in 2017.

Eric advocates for social mobility, focusing on mentoring youth from underprivileged backgrounds. He chaired the People Association Youth Movement’s Central Youth Council and the Cairnhill CC Youth Executive Committee, receiving the Excellent Youth Award in 2017. As a community leader, he launched innovative programs and was awarded the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal) in 2019.

A Fulbright grantee, Eric holds a Master’s in Communication Management from USC and a Bachelor’s in Communication Studies from NTU. In his leisure time, he enjoys traveling and listening to music. He is married with one child.

Dr Jade Kua
Dr Jade Kua Master Certified Coach & Entrepreneur, Jade Life & Wellness Academy
Chairperson, Mental Health Film Festival Singapore (MHFFS)

Dr. Jade Kua is a senior consultant in general and pediatric emergency medicine, with a masters in trauma. She is a Past President of the Association of Women Doctors, Singapore and the immediate Past President of the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association.

She is also a Master Certified Coach accredited by the International Coaching Federation and founder of Jade Life And Wellness Coaching Academy. Her children’s bedtime book on mindfulness, Good Night Marion, was published by Write Editions and used by therapists, psychologists and parenting experts.

She is married with 3 small children and 3 older stepchildren, and enjoys long walks and strong coffee.

Shiao-Yin Kuik
Shiao-Yin Kuik Executive Director
Common Ground

Shiao-Yin works as a cultural change strategist. She is a Gestalt-based systems & organisational development consultant, process designer, trainer, facilitator, coach, communications advisor and public writer.

She helps organisations develop a more empathetic, empowering approach to working on the changes they long to see in their systems. She trains and coaches people in the cognitive and social-emotional skills they need to manage and lead collaboratively through uncertain times and complex problems.

At Common Ground, her mission is to restore wholeness in people so they can restore wholeness in their families, groups, communities and organisations.

Shiao-Yin was a two-time Nominated Member of Parliament (2014-2018). She sits on various boards, advising them on talent development, cultural strategy, behavioural shift and identity formation. She is a regular public speaker, sharing her insights on the challenge of leadership, trust-building, strategic narratives and the power of individuals in systems.

Stephen Lew
Stephen Lew Founder & CEO, The School of Positive Psychology
Co-Founder, Thrive Psychology Clinic & Novosensus

Stephen Lew is the Founder of The School of Positive Psychology (TSPP). Launched in 2007, TSPP is a Singapore-based higher education institute that offers psychological centric training programmes for professional and corporate development.

​An expert in the field of positive psychology with 17 years of experience, Stephen has been interviewed and featured by Singapore media such as Channel NewsAsia, The Straits Times, Harper’s Bazaar, The Peak Magazine, Singapore Business Review, Her World, and 8 Days about positive psychology, mental health, and well-being related topics.

​Stephen holds a MSc Applied Positive Psychology with a focus in Organisational Psychology and Leadership. He is also a psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist, supervisor, and a fellow with the National Council of Psychotherapists in the United Kingdom.

 Freddie Yeo
Freddie Yeo Chief Operating Officer
Infinite Studios

Freddie Yeo is responsible for the media operations of Infinite Studios in Singapore and Batam, Indonesia. He has more than 20 years of experience in the industry.

He is also a film and television producer, involved in the development of Infinite Studios’ original content for its feature films, television and digital media slate with various partners both locally and internationally. 

He is currently a Committee Member of the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) and is a member of the Board of Governors at Republic Polytechnic. He also chairs Republic Polytechnic’s School of Technology for the Arts’ Advisory Committee and sits as a member of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s  School of Film & Media Studies’ Advisory Committee.

Alex Yeo
Alex Yeo Acting Executive Director
Caring For Life

As one of CFL’s founding members, Alex Yeo is currently the Acting Executive Director for Caring for Life. A passionate Youth Mental Health Advocate since August 2015, he is driven to explore different solutions to support and empower persons with mental health issues to regain their dignity in life.

His knowledge of the mental health sector and nonprofit organizations arose from his involvement in the governmental mental health team (NCSS); as a co-founder of a mental health service directory (Mental Connect) and his current involvement in a new non-profit startup (Caring For Life) in suicide prevention work.

Join us for an enriching experience that goes beyond the competition! Expand your horizons, nurture your talent,
and foster resilience with SYFC’s Youth Leadership Program.

Registration closes 26 July 2024, 5pm. 

hello@mentalhealthfilmfest.sg for enquires.


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