Do It Ourselves Docufilm Competition 2026

What are the different competition categories open to participants?

There are 2 competition categories available: Student & Open

Student Category

For students currently enrolled in Singapore tertiary institutions and Institutes of Higher learnings including but not limited to Junior Colleges, Institutes of Technical Education (ITE), Polytechnics, LASALLE College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Universities.

Open Category

Individuals who meet the following criteria:

1. Aged 18–35 years, at the time of submission;

2. Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents; or

3. Hold a valid pass in Singapore (including Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, Student Pass, or Dependant’s Pass); and

4. Are residing in Singapore at the time of submission.

Refer to the Submission Guidelines for a quick checklist of what you need for submission as a participant and a finalist. For more details on the competition, you can refer to the Terms & Conditions.

1. Evaluation criteria
   Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria, with each component carrying a specific weightage that reflects its importance in the overall assessment:

   1. Storytelling: 40%
      The film should present a compelling and impactful narrative, supported by a clear and coherent structure that guides the story with intention and clarity. Originality in idea or perspective is strongly encouraged, along with a thoughtful and relevant choice of profile that enhances the overall narrative and emotional impact of the film.
      
      

   2. Treatment, style and craft: 40%
      The technical elements of the film should support the storytelling rather than distract from it. This includes how the film is shot, how scenes are lit, and how the story is edited to create a smooth and engaging flow.
      
      Where appropriate, simple use of graphics may be included if it helps support the narrative.
      
      The film should also have a clear visual style and creative direction with a cohesive style and aesthetic to express the filmmaker’s unique voice.
      
      Sound is also important—dialogue should be clear, and music and sound design should enhance the mood and storytelling.
      
      

   3. Viewer engagement: 20%
      The film should be engaging and able to hold the viewer’s attention from start to finish.
      
      It should create an emotional connection or leave a lasting impression. Stories that feel relatable, meaningful, or thought-provoking will strengthen how strongly the film resonates with audiences.

2.  What will winners receive?
   
   Student Category
   1st Prize: SGD 2,000
   2nd Prize: SGD 1,000
   
   Open Category
   1st Prize: SGD 3,000
   2nd Prize: SGD 1,500
   

All winning videos will be published on Esplanade Offstage as part of the existing Do It Ourselves video series.

Kirsten Tan

Kirsten Tan is a New York-based Singaporean filmmaker whose debut feature, Pop Aye, won major awards at Sundance, Rotterdam, and Zurich and was selected as Singapore’s official entry for the Academy Awards. Her short films have received multiple accolades at the Singapore International Film Festival. A Sundance Institute and Cannes Cinéfondation Fellow, she holds an MFA from New York University, granted by the Tisch Graduate Fellowship. She is a recipient of the NAC Young Artist Award, Her World’s Young Woman Achiever of the Year, and a nominee for The Straits Times’ Singaporean of the Year.

Wan Othman

Wan is a Singapore based filmmaker, cinematographer and director with a storytelling style that spans adversity, social issues, and the human condition. His work moves between documentaries, narrative and art films.

He was the director for Borderlands, a documentary series about life on Asia’s little known borders, nominated for best documentary series in the Asian Television Awards and Silver at the NY Film & TV Festival. Borderlands was also shown as part of the 2025 Jeju Biennale. Wan also directed and filmed In Search of Heat, a food & lifestyle show for two seasons—national winner at the Asian Academy Creative Awards and the World Media Festival Awards.

Wan was the cinematographer for groundbreaking docu-dramas Black Thursday (CNA) and Brothers in Arms (CNA), with a Best Cinematography national win at the Asian Academy Creative Awards and nominations in the Asian Television Awards. He also filmed the music video Guide Us, Golden Winner at the Tokyo Film Awards and the short film Metta Michael that he shot was screened at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival.

He directed the wildlife feature documentary Lionheart (History Channel), one man’s mission in lion conservation in Africa and he has travelled extensively—from the conflicted regions of South Philippines to shooting typhoons in Taiwan.

He recently directed I Live in Sengkang, a poetic visual piece on the rally in Singapore’s 2025 election and Vessels/Valves, an experimental dance film with an established group of Singapore artists. He’s also in post-production as Creative Producer for the feature documentary How to Cook For Friends.

Wan is also a member of the SGSC (Singapore Society of Cinematographers) and loves to be outdoors with family & friends.

Clarissa Oon

Clarissa Oon is a cultural worker and arts critic who manages and programmes digital content on the arts and, since the late 1990s, has been writing about the arts and culture for Singapore and Asia-Pacific publications. She is currently Head of Digital and Content Marketing at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, overseeing its digital platforms including social media, the Esplanade website, the Esplanade Offstage microsite and the arts centre’s audiovisual archives.

A former journalist, her op-eds, essays and reviews have been published in The Straits Times and in collections such as The Second Link: An Anthology of Malaysian & Singaporean Writing (Marshall Cavendish International, 2023). Her upcoming collection of essays on criticism and Singapore theatre, The Critic As..., will be published by Ethos Books at the end of 2026.

Hydhir Ramli

Having begun as a musician, Hydhir Ramli has since established himself in Singapore’s music ecosystem as an artist and arts manager / programmer, with over 10 years of experience under his belt.

As a programmer at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Hydhir leads the teams that organise festivals such as A Tapestry of Sacred Music and Baybeats, Singapore’s largest free alternative music festival. He is also part of the team that curates Mosaic Music Series, Esplanade’s flagship series that highlights the best of contemporary music.

Prior to Esplanade, Hydhir had extensive experience curating and promoting music acts through independently-organised shows as well as with acclaimed festivals like Laneway and Neon Lights. Some notable artists he has worked with include You Me At Six (USA), Totorro (France), Northlane (Australia), New Found Glory (USA), Caspian (US) 65daysofstatic (UK) and Sigur Ros (IS), Girl in Red (NO), Mono (Japan), Novo Amor (UK) amongst others.

1. I want to participate in the competition, but I do not have contacts of anyone from the indie music scene. Can I receive contacts from Esplanade?
   As we want to ensure fairness among all participants and profiles, Esplanade will not be able to provide contacts. However, we recommend participants to search up online platforms to research more about the indie music scene.
   
   

2. Can I participate in a group under the Student Category with other members from different institutions?
   Yes, participants in the Student Category may form groups with members from different Institutes of Higher Learning or Tertiary Institutions.
   
   

3. Do I have to submit a proposal before the actual filming?
   Participants do not have to submit an idea for exploration. All entries should only be the final version of the docufilm.
   
   

4. What do I have to submit for my entry?
   Participants must submit one long-form video, one short-form video, and production credits for both group and individual entries. Students are required to provide a scanned copy of their student card in the submission form. Please note that finalists will need to submit additional assets. More information can be found in the Submission Guidelines.
   
   

5. When will the prize presentation be held?
   The date will be announced at a later date. Keep a lookout on this page for updated information!
   
   

6. Will I be notified if my docufilm is not selected as a finalist?
   Finalists will be notified by 20 August 2026 for additional submissions. All other participants will be notified via email by 28 August 2026.
   
   

7. Who should I contact if I have more questions?
   For any queries, you can get in touch with us here.