As part of SAFRA’s ongoing efforts to recognise and appreciate the dedication of our national servicemen, the Appreciating NSmen Video Competition 2025 invited participants from our local schools and institutions to share facets of NSmen’s service, sacrifice, camaraderie, and growth – by producing shorts that capture their heartfelt appreciation to national servicemen through 60 to 90-sec videos. The result? A moving collection of heartfelt narratives, humour-filled sketches, and creative homages that captured the spirit of NS like never before.
From first-time video makers to aspiring storytellers, every submission reflected their unique voices in showcasing Singapore’s NS community. Whether it was a glimpse of training during BMT, a reflection on reservist life, or a montage of personal growth through service, each video reminded us why our NSmen deserve not just respect, but also appreciation.
We extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to all participants who poured their time, creativity, and heart into this competition. Your stories do more than express gratitude – they inspire us to also show our appreciation to NSmen.
To our winners: Congratulations! Your entries stood out for their originality, emotional resonance, and outstanding execution. You’ve not only earned your prizes, you’ve earned a place in the broader narrative of what it means to serve.
These videos will serve as lasting tributes and shared across SAFRA’s social media platforms, as well as screened in community spaces such as HDB estates, PA Community Clubs and SAFRA clubs, to reach thousands more. Your voices are part of a bigger story – Singapore’s story.
To all who took part: thank you for reminding us that behind every uniform is a story worth telling.
Read on to find out who are the winners of this year’s Appreciating NSmen Video Competition 2025. And be sure to watch their creative works!
Gold & Best Animation Award:
Gratitude in Bloom
Produced by: students of Nanyang Polytechnic
Chan Jiawen Steffi
Lokare Isha Sunil
Ng Shervon Erica
Koh Zhi Zhen Elizabeth
Joyann Chan Yuen Theng
Gratitude in Bloom is a short animation crafted by students from Nanyang Polytechnic as part of the SAFRA Appreciating NSmen Video Competition 2025. The piece beautifully captures the quiet strength and sacrifices inherent in National Service through a narrative that blossoms with warmth and sincerity.
Through evocative imagery and personal storytelling, the animated short pays tribute to NSmen and their families, reminding viewers that behind each uniform is a human story rooted in community, resilience, and gratitude. Beyond this, the video also shows that there is support from the public and community, with everyday people like hawkers and neighbours showing their appreciation through simple gestures. Though compact in length, its emotional resonance is powerful – encouraging us all to pause and acknowledge the everyday heroes within our lives.
Winning the Gold Award as well as the Best Animation Award for SAFRA’s Appreciating NSmen Video Competition 2025, this video is both a visual celebration and a gentle call to recognise the unseen efforts of those who serve.
Silver, Best Live Action & Audience Choice Award:
Serving Together
Produced by: students of Nanyang Junior College
Angela Tan Si Jie
Ong Rae Ern
Wong Qi Xuan
Loh Min Xuan Jovie
Lin Tzu-Yu
Serving Together is a heartfelt tribute by the team from Nanyang Junior College to the generations of national servicemen who balance duty, family and civilian life. With intimate storytelling, it showcases how simple acts of familial and societal connection – from having a shared meal with your loved ones to receiving text messages from supportive colleagues – can profoundly affirm service and sacrifice.
By highlighting authentic moments of community support, Serving Together brings to life the pride of service and camaraderie felt by NSmen when reinforced via their connection to family and society. In under a few minutes, this video beautifully captures that it takes more than uniforms and training; it takes a village – to nurture, appreciate, and stand side-by-side with every NSman.
A triple winner of the Silver Award, Best Live Action Award and Audience Choice Award, this piece emphasises the message that behind every serving heart is a community that cares – and that recognition, support, and gratitude truly matter.
Bronze Award:
Once Upon a Time
Produced by: students of Nanyang Technological University
Chong Heng Bin
Jonas Tan Kang Wen
Once Upon a Time reimagines Singapore’s national defence through a charming fantasy lens, blending national service with fairytale elements to powerful emotional effect. Created by students from the Nanyang Technological University, the animated short features mythical creatures and enchanted forests, and makes use of whimsical visuals to symbolise real-life acts of sacrifice, courage, and familial love. Its story follows the fairytale town of Singapore, which is under attack by dragons. With no knights, its ordinary townsfolk like artists, students, and workers, rise to defend it. Mirroring Singapore’s history, it reflects how NSmen put aside their aspirations to defend the nation, reminding us that peace is built by those who step up.
With its imaginative storytelling and emotional core, Once Upon a Time is a heartwarming tale that reminds us that while NSmen may not wield swords or wear capes, their everyday bravery is no less heroic, and it beautifully honours the strength of those who serve – and the loved ones who await their safe return.
Young Video Maker Award:
The Strength Within
Produced by: students of Hwa Chong Institution
Ding Jee Boon
This powerful short from Hwa Chong Institution captures a journey of inner strength. Set against stirring visuals and intimate storytelling, The Strength Within showcases how NSmen across the six Services contribute to Singapore’s defence. It captures the dedication and inner strength of every NSman working to safeguard the nation’s well-being, safety, and security. With dynamic visuals portraying scenes like NSmen in training, naval patrols at sea, and air surveillance missions, the video is a representation of the different roles the Services play in keeping Singapore safe and protected, and reminds us that courage isn’t just about battle – it’s born from the resilience within. A must-watch for all who appreciate the quiet heroes among us – their battles unseen, their strength unspoken, but always present. It’s this heartening message and the fresh visual style which nabbed this the Young Video Maker Award.
Merit Award:
Our Nation’s Heroes
Produced by: students of Jurong Pioneer Junior College
Ng Jing Wen Natalie
Thoo Ler Yee
Yu Tze Xuan
Aravindran Sountharyaa
Merit Award:
Behind Every Sacrifice, A Grateful Community
Produced by: students of Nanyang Junior College
Cher Jiaying Kaithlyn
Yamada Yumi
Feivel Yeaw Jin Jie
Thien Hsien Ning
Merit Award:
Silent Support
Produced by: students of ITE Central College
Ng Shin Yi
Kirsten Lee Kar Mun
Karissa Tong Xin Yin
Yuki Foo Yong Qing
These three short videos which won the Merit Award – Our Nation’s Heroes by Jurong Pioneer Junior College, Behind Every Sacrifice, A Grateful Community by Nanyang Junior College, and Silent Support by ITE Central College – offer a moving tribute to the unseen strength behind National Service. From candid interviews with real-life NSmen to touching portrayals of public and family appreciation, each video reveals a different facet of service. Together, these stories honour not just the men in uniform, but the families, friends and everyday Singaporeans who lift them up.
Visit SAFRA’s YouTube page to view all the winning videos in the Appreciating NSmen Video Competition 2025.
About Appreciating NSmen Video Competition
Each year, SAFRA collaborates with various community and corporate partners to show appreciation to national servicemen in the lead-up to SAF Day and National Day. One of the initiatives is the Appreciating NSmen Video Competition which encourages students from secondary, JC and tertiary institutions to express their creativity in conveying heartfelt thanks to national servicemen nationwide by conceptualising and producing short live-action or animation videos. The competition is in support of the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) established by MINDEF.
Read more about the Appreciating NSmen Video Competition here.
