28 Feb 2025
DrugFreeSG Video Competition is back!
Calling all aspiring filmmakers aged between 12 and 25 – here’s your chance to showcase your craft and create awareness of the harms of drug abuse through the power of storytelling!
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28 Feb 2025
DrugFreeSG Video Competition is back!
28 Feb 2025
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DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2025: Are We Uninfluenced? 🎬
The annual DrugFreeSG Video Competition by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) is back! Designed for youths who are passionate about video production, this competition provides a platform for them to share their creative perspective on the harms of drug abuse. More than just filmmaking, it’s about amplifying the drug-free message, in their own unique way to peers and their communities.
This year, we introduce a new overarching theme: “Are We Uninfluenced?” – challenging youth to question, analyse, and reflect on the influences they encounter in society and the media.
📽️ Want to sharpen your filmmaking skills? Join our video-making workshop on 12 April 2025 to gain tips and tricks from industry experts.
📌 Submission Deadline: 14 September 2025
Get Inspired! Watch the winning entries from DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2024 and see how powerful storytelling can spark change.
This year’s theme, “Are We Uninfluenced?”, challenges participants to critically examine the influences shaping their perceptions of drug abuse. Through narrative or documentary storytelling, youths and young adults are invited to explore the impact of trends, peer pressure, culture, and legislation on their choices and beliefs.
For youths (ages 12-16), themes focus on media influence, decision-making, and consequences, while young adults (ages 17-25) will tackle cultural narratives, recovery, and legal perspectives. By questioning how influences might distort our view on the drug issue, this year’s competition encourages participants to dig deeper and communicate perspectives and stories that challenge shifting norms and spark meaningful conversations.
This competition is open to all youths between the age of 12* and 25 (as of the closing date of submission of video entries, 14 September 2025).
Participants can include locally based non-students or registered students from all secondary schools, international schools, private educational institutions, vocational institutes / ITEs, junior colleges, centralised institutes, polytechnics, and tertiary institutions.
Participants must be Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents or foreigners residing in Singapore on a valid Singapore Immigration Pass (e.g., Student’s Pass, Dependant’s Pass) during the period of competition.
Participants can submit their entries in two categories—Narrative or Documentary, using creative storytelling or real-world insights to explore this year’s theme, “Are We Uninfluenced?”
Category 1
Hypes Fade. Damage Stays
In today’s world, being ‘open-minded’ about drugs is often seen as trendy, with media and pop culture shaping perceptions. But are we truly thinking for ourselves? This theme challenges participants to explore the pressures, social influences, and real consequences of drug use. Do we have the courage to look beyond the hype and make choices that truly serve us?
One Choice, Many Lives
Every decision we make has a ripple effect—especially when it comes to drug use. This theme invites participants to examine how personal choices impact not just themselves, but their family, friends, and future. Are we fully aware of what influences our decisions? And when it matters most, what guides us to make the right choice?
Category 1
Lens Filters – Hype vs. Reality
In a world where social media, movies, and pop culture often glamorize drug use, how do we separate hype from reality? This theme challenges participants to investigate how drugs are portrayed vs. the real-world consequences of drug abuse. Through documentary storytelling, explore the impact of misinformation, the role of media influence, and how we can verify the truth to make informed decisions.
Tough Choices: Drawing Down the Line on Drugs
Singapore’s drug laws are among the strictest in the world—but are they too harsh, or are they necessary? This theme invites participants to take a closer look at why drug abuse remains illegal in Singapore, the rationale behind strict enforcement, and how these laws shape safety, society, and individual lives. Through investigative storytelling, uncover real perspectives on why these tough choices exist.
Category 2
Navigating Culture
Culture and environment play a significant role in shaping our attitudes towards drug use and abuse. In some spaces, a permissive view on drugs is the norm—but does that mean we should accept it? This theme challenges participants to examine the cultural narratives, societal pressures, and environmental factors that influence our perceptions of drug use. How do we navigate these influences and make choices that align with long-term well-being rather than short-term acceptance?
The Journey Towards Recovery
Overcoming drug addiction is not just about willpower—it’s about support, understanding, and community. This theme explores the human side of recovery, highlighting the struggles of those battling addiction and the role family, friends, and society play in helping them heal. What does real recovery look like? How can we build a stronger, more compassionate support system for those seeking a way out of addiction?
Category 2
Breaking Through the Smoke Screen of Cannabis Culture
With cannabis legalisation in parts of the world, the marketing and cultural messaging around cannabis have shifted dramatically. But does the increased acceptance mean it’s harmless? This theme challenges participants to investigate the realities of cannabis use—from its health impacts to how media, businesses, and influencers shape public perception. How does the normalisation of cannabis affect society, and what are the risks of accepting marketing narratives without question?
The Harsh Truth
Singapore enforces some of the strictest drug laws in the world—but are they necessary, or are they too harsh? This theme invites participants to explore the rationale behind Singapore’s drug policies, the impact of strict enforcement, and how these laws compare globally. Through documentary storytelling, uncover the different perspectives on whether these laws protect society or if reform is needed.
Your are required to submit the following items as the final product:
The video can be up to 5 minutes, excluding credits, in Narrative of Documentary format.
A brief synopsis of your video with at least 50 words.
A 30-60 seconds reel in 9:16 vertical format.
Influence and filmmaker, Jaze Phua is known for his viral videos that have reached millions of views and reached Hollywood attention. As a filmmaker, he is known for his creative filmmaking process on a budget while creating maximum impact.
A daring experimenter, he also does animation and has also recently set up his own AI content creation company.
Kyle Ong, a Singaporean filmmaker and podcaster, brings a decade of expertise in film, photography, and podcast production. He debuted as a director in 2017 with Discovery Channel’s #NoFilter, and his portfolio spans diverse projects, including a TV documentary series on Singapore’s Paralympic team for the Tokyo 2020 games.
Kyle’s passion for storytelling extends beyond the screen. He is the Executive Producer and Co-Creator of one of Southeast Asia’s most popular English horror podcasts, Ghost Maps, which boasts over 2 million downloads.
Does the film explain the competition theme?
Does the film provide good anti-drug messaging?
Is the storyline creative?
Are facts well-researched, accurate,and
well-presented or provide credible sources or interviews?
Does the film provide good anti-drug messaging?
Is the film educational, inspirational and impactful?
How are the on-screen visual elements, lighting, framing, composition, camera angles, etc.?
What is the overall visual and sound quality?
Stand a chance to win exciting prizes, including cash prizes of up to $2500, shopping vouchers and exclusive opportunities to showcase your film! 🎬✨
Recognising outstanding entries with $800 for creativity and impact!
PLUS! The Most Popular Videos (1 Narrative & 1 Documentary) will each win S$100 Shopping Mall/Grab Vouchers based on public voting!
This year’s theme is “Are We UnInfluenced?”, challenging participants to explore how media, culture, and societal influences shape perceptions of drug abuse. The competition encourages critical thinking and creative storytelling through narrative and documentary short films.
Participants are encouraged to create videos along the lines of this theme and showcase their creativity and storytelling abilities.
The competition is open to:
• Youth Category: Aged 12-16
• Young Adult Category: Aged 17-25
Yes! You can collaborate with friends to produce your video entry. However, the main participant (who submits the entry) must meet the age eligibility criteria for their category and take primary credit for the submission.
While your team member can assist in the production process, only eligible participants (aged 12-16 or 17-25) can submit the video and be officially credited as part of the competition. Any awards or recognition will be attributed to the eligible participants.
Your video should be up to 5 minutes long. Entries exceeding the time limit may be disqualified.
To submit your entry:
1. Upload your video via Google Drive.
2. Copy sharing link for the folder. Ensure that sharing settings are set to ‘Anyone can view’.
3. Fill in the submission form and paste your Google Drive sharing link.
4. Click submit!
Yes! Just ensure that the folder can be viewed by by us and the files can be downloaded.
✅ You will receive a confirmation email.
✅ Your entry will be reviewed for eligibility and adherence to guidelines.
✅ Only winners will be contacted after judging process is complete.
The submission deadline is 14 September 2025. Make sure to submit your entry before the cut-off time!
Yes! If you need to make changes, you may resubmit your entry before the deadline. Only the latest submission will be considered.
No, participation in the DrugFreeSG Video Competition is completely free!
We’re happy to help! Feel free to reach out to us at contact@drugfree.sg or visit our official website for more details.
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Yen Lyng (wa.link/v70ses)