Nanyang Filmfest 2009 was a tremendous success. Held at LT4 on the 14th August, the films featured our very own NYJCians who put on display their acting prowess. The audience was thoroughly entertained and amused with hilarious lines which were delivered flawlessly by the actors.

Filmart, which originally started out as a Student Interest Group in 2005, has come a long way. The president of Filmart, Sebastian, delivered the opening speech where there was a ground swell of support from the audience present at LT4 yesterday. With that, Filmfest 2009 kicked off with a special feature by Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

“Love is like a game of mahjong.”

Yes, you heard us right. For those who attended Nanyang’s Film Fest, laughter was certainly on a high note in LT4. The event, showcasing three short films, kicked off with a Ngee Ann Polytechnic production titled “Store Bought Love”.

The film had every one at awe with its endless comedic antics. However, it also had every one swept away with the love found between a couple in this extraordinary tale. Featuring local actors such as Darren Tan, Benjamin Heng and Catherine Sng, “Store Bought Love” certainly amplifies local film production talent. Sng's performance was particularly commendable and convincing in her role as 'Auntie Bao', who attempts to educate Heng's character on love using strategies in playing mahjong.

The main highlight of the film was actually between an Indian couple who also worked at the store, who bickered endlessly. While fighting, the couple had us laughing when the wife said, “Has it ever come across to you that this uniform is not ugly but it is you who is wearing it that is?”

Like everyone else in LT4, we were anticipating the production of our very own Film Fest crew. This year, with the production of “Are you game?” the JC1s certainly proved their worth. Their short film tells a tale of 5 NYJC-ians on a night walk in the college, whereby they were supposed to collate and form clues. However, things get awry when it seems that their group members mysteriously disappear, one at a time.

Although the film started and ended on a slow note, the sound effects that enhanced the spine-chilling effects of the film had us clinging onto the person next to us for the rest of the film.

Still, what kept the audience laughing and cheering throughout the entire show was the JC2s' hilariously over-dramatic antics in 'The Small Things In Life'. Interestingly enough, the opening of the JC2s' film saw two cast members dancing and singing along to the hit "Nobody" by Korean girl group Wondergirls, sending the crowd into hysteria. JC2s were featured in 2 scenes: The 'Prawn' Scene and the 'Lecture Theatre' Scene.The LT scene had the audience in uproar with its impeccable comedic timing and over-dramatic antics, seeing our JC2s falling to the ground in immense gratitude and cheering and hugging one another once the bell rang. Simply put, this film was one reminding us to always look on the bright side of life, finding joy in even the smallest things in life.

Overall, Film Fest started and ended on a very satisfying note. The three films shown were indeed commendable and those who missed it certainly lost out. The essence of a haunted NYJC will forever follow these NYCX reporters but we certainly feel for the fellow NYJC-ian who sits in the 4th row and the 4th seat in LT4, if you catch our drift.

Kudos also to the AVA crew, without whom the event would not have been successful.

All in all, thumbs-up for a brilliant job in Filmfest 2009, and we'll definitely be looking forward to seeing another FilmArt production next year!

Written by Diyanah and Stephanie