Singapore, 11 September 2023 – Singtel took home the top accolade, ‘Best Digital Nations Video’, at the Mobile 360 APAC Digital Nations Awards held in Seoul for its film, “From Mudflats to Smart Nation”. The three-minute video, an abridged version of the full 23-minute film, charts Singapore’s rise as a digital nation, as it successfully navigated decades of technological changes and inflexion points to achieve economic success. The film also commemorates the 16 September birth anniversary of Singapore’s founding prime minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, whose vision was central to the country’s success.
Conceptualised in-house, Singtel’s film beat 56 submissions from companies across 14 countries in the Asia Pacific region, for its portrayal of the key role telecommunications and mobile technology played in transforming Singapore from a rural nation to thriving urban powerhouse.
"We’re extremely heartened by this award as it recognises just how compelling Singapore’s digital nation story is – how we leveraged telecoms and technology to turbo charge our progress, allowing a small city state like ours to leapfrog ahead of the competition, while ensuring digital inclusivity. "
Lian Pek,
VP of Strategic Communications and Brand
Singtel
Ms Lian Pek, Singtel’s Vice President of Strategic Communications and Brand, said: “We’re extremely heartened by this award as it recognises just how compelling Singapore’s digital nation story is – how we leveraged telecoms and technology to turbo charge our progress, allowing a small city state like ours to leapfrog ahead of the competition, while ensuring digital inclusivity. Today, as 5G opens up the next chapter in our Smart Nation journey, it is useful to take stock of how Singapore rode the waves of technological disruption to come this far. We hope this film will inspire the younger generation of Singaporeans to keep ideating for the future.”
The film features interviews with Singtel’s senior leadership including Group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon, Group CFO Arthur Lang and NCS CEO Ng Kuo Pin. Rarely seen footage and photos of key moments in Singapore’s history, such as the national computerisation initiative, as well as the life and times of Mr Lee and generations of Singapore impacted by technology are brought to life with Parallax visual effects, which render images 3D. More information about the film can be found in Annex A and B.
Mr Julian Gorman, Head of APAC, GSMA, said: “We received many compelling stories this year, and shortlisted 15 videos. Singtel was awarded the ‘Best Digital Nations Video Award’, ultimately selected for its strong narrative, visual storytelling of Singapore’s digital transformation and outstanding production. It clearly illustrates the positive disruptive power and impact of technology on people’s lives and in advancing nations.”
The Mobile 360 APAC Digital Nations Awards are given out annually by GSMA, an industry association for global mobile operators and telcos to drive good practices in the sector and deliver positive change. The judging panel comprised marketing and communications veterans, and included Gonzalo Olivera, Managing Partner of MullenLowe Singapore, Lucy Han, Executive Vice President at Weber Shandwick, and Bruno Smadja, Founder and CEO of Mobile Film Festival.
Both the award-winning entry and full film can be viewed on Singtel’s YouTube page.
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