DEPRESSION and emotional stress have greatly affected some of our loved ones and people around us, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic that hit us for the past three years ago.
Some of the youths are most vulnerable and hardest hit.
Aware of this scenario, the Penang government, through the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), has come out with a competition to encourage aspiring young filmmakers to create a short video on this subject.
Known as ‘Into The Lens: Short Film Competition – PSA: Depression Among Youth’, it is open for pre-registration starting today until May 12.
State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the competition is open to youths aged 18 to 35 residing in Penang.
“Participants may register up to five members per group, with at least one of them a Penangite.
“All participants are required to pre-register via a ‘Google Form’ starting today until May 12. Entries must be submitted via email to [email protected] between March 24 and June 2.
“The theme ‘PSA – Depression Among Youth’ aims to raise awareness among young people and the general public of the importance of mental health and depression.
“This competition represents an exciting opportunity for the young to showcase their talent, vision and passion. Films are powerful and impactful to raise awareness, improve understanding and encourage positive behaviour changes,” he said at a press conference in Komtar today.
A prize pool worth RM11,000 is at stake. The first prize winners will receive RM5,000; the first runners-up RM3,000; the second runners-up RM2,000 and two consolation prizes worth RM500 each.
Soon said young people can use this platform to express their feelings bottled up due to depression.
PYDC general manager Dr Gwee Sai Ling said this competition would allow youths to be aware of the other side of depression.
“The pandemic has proven to be the main cause of stress among youths,” she said, adding that 43.6% of respondents aged 18-24 reported being anxious during the pandemic.
To date, PYDC has organised five video production competitions, including short films, TikTok and music videos.
The entry fee for the competition is RM50 while the length of the video is below five minutes.
The video is open to all languages, but usage of Bahasa Malaysia or English subtitles is mandatory.
Participants are required to also include the Penang government, PYDC,
Penang2030, LovePENANG, and Youth For Future logos in their short films.
The video format should be high-definition (HD) with a resolution of 1080p (1920 x 1080) and an output format of MP4.
Also present during the press conference was PYDC deputy general manager Ng Hooi Ting.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi