Join Joel Chang as he unpacks the bi-annual Honour Film Screening and what it means to different student groups at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School Of Film & Media Studies

Guests filling up the theatre before the commencement of the films. (Photo Credit: Jayden Quek)

What does “Honour” mean to you? That is the golden question posed to many young, aspiring filmmakers within Singapore’s media scene. At the heart of this crowd of budding talents, one can reliably find students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film & Media Studies (FMS). 

These budding filmmakers pour blood, sweat and tears into bringing their own unique interpretations of “Honour” to life, culminating in the Honour Film Screening, a special night where these stories are premiered– and the people behind them, celebrated.

These events have become a firmly engrained piece of the school’s culture, humming with a vibrant sense of community. Friends greeting each other excitedly with bear hugs, seniors dropping nuggets of advice for juniors, and strangers bonding over a shared love for film. It’s more than an event. It’s a reunion, a celebration, and a passing of the creative torch.

Perhaps what the regular event attendee does not see are the faces behind the scenes, tirelessly working to make this event a success.  While some faces might be more prominent than others, like the emcees warming up the crowd, or ushers guiding you to your seat, many others do not receive their just recognition. 

One of the most prominent groups of people, and usually the first one that visitors are met with, are the ushers. Ever ready to serve with a smile on their faces, they are the backbone of many events that the school is involved with. 

Alannah Yeo, a Year 2 student and FMS Student Council President, remarked that being an usher for the event was extremely rewarding. “Seeing all the excited guests coming in and ready to watch all of the films that have been made with a lot of hard work and dedication… I think everyone’s really excited.” 

The event opened its doors a few hours before the films were set to hit the silver screen, allowing guests to mingle and soak up the vibes in and around the venue. Hearty laughter, thoughtful conversations, and old friends catching up are just some of the things that went on during this time. 

When everyone eventually made their way into the theatre, the ushers distributed free food to each and every guest. Think popcorn, nachos, hot dogs and soft drinks. The massive 602-seater theatre was filled up in no time. From there, FMS’s wonderful emcees helped to move things along smoothly.

Emma Shanyin Razali (left) and Luthf Izz Qaisy Bin Shareyzan (right) getting the crowd in the mood. (Photo Credit: Jayden Quek)

One of the emcees for the night, Luthf Izz Qaisy Bin Shareyzan, a Year 3 Student and part of the Radio Heatwave Capstone (Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s in-house radio station), felt that the event was a very heartwarming one, allowing people to come together and celebrate film. He was especially touched by the intermingling that went on before and after the screenings themselves. “I’m really glad to see everyone taking photos. I think it’s like a really, really cute moment.”

One of the most pivotal people behind the scenes works directly with Honour. Jenibelle Pang, an Intern at Honour Singapore and a Year 3 Student at FMS herself, played an essential role in bringing the event to life. “The moment I started interning here [at Honour], we were already thinking about what to do for this particular event because it’s one of our biggest initiatives.”

She also explained that these film screenings are pivotal to the ethos of Honour as an organisation, and she felt privileged to be able to contribute to its success. “I feel like it’s a very meaningful event because we get to tell very deep and special stories through films, and that’s what FMS does.”

The theme of “Honour” was certainly not forgotten when the credits rolled. In hushed post-show conversations, where people spoke not only about camera angles and their favourite scenes, but about the real people behind the stories — the sacrifices made, the values upheld, and the moments of humanity captured in frame. It was a reminder that film is not just entertainment, but a mirror reflecting the very best of who we can be.

Last but not least, an underrated contributor to the event would be the Inspire Design Capstone. Enlisted by Honour to create marketing materials for the event, their design elements helped to bring colour and flair to the event space.  

Members of Inspire Design as well as members of the Honour production crew posing with their marketing collaterals. (Photo Credit: Tristan Low)

Abby Lee, a Year 3 student and member of the Inspire Design team, “Enlace”, felt that the team’s work was supporting a worthy cause. “What really stood out to me was that the initiative is supporting our local industry. I think that’s something that I’m quite passionate about as well. So I think it’s very important to shine a spotlight on our local filmmakers and keep the art industry going.” 

Supporting local changemakers in amplifying the value of “Honour” is one of the main causes that the organisation champions, giving a megaphone to voices that might otherwise go unheard. They remind audiences that “Honour” isn’t just a theme, but a living, breathing value woven into our everyday lives.

Not to mention, through these events, young filmmakers get to bring their personal interpretations of honour to the big screen. Highlighting real life profiles and capturing their stories by immortalizing them in film allows for audiences to connect with these journeys on a deeply emotional level.

FMS has long been instrumental in making these Honour Film Screenings a reality, and this event was no different. In the future, incoming batches of FMS students are bound to leave their fingerprints on these events, whether behind the scenes, on screen, or in the background.

Looking forward, these events promise to continue evolving and tugging on our heart strings, just like the stories they continue to tell. I highly encourage readers to make it a point to attend future editions of these events. It truly stands for more than just a film screening. These events foster a sense of community, honour the inspiring stories of everyday people around us, and showcase what the next generation of filmmakers are capable of. 

As the theatre lights dimmed one final time, and the last person stepped out of the venue, the event became a memory. In its place, phone screens lit up reminiscent faces, swiping through freshly taken photos preserving the night’s memories. Laughter, applause, and meaningful conversations, all of it now stored both on devices and in hearts. If this sentiment doesn’t symbolise “Honour,” I don’t know what does.