Science, biology and nature-based content rules at The Pinwheels 2023

Who do you think is Singapore’s content creator of the year? Given our obsession with anything food, travel and shopping related, it would be logical to say a vlogger from those genres. But nope – at least not at last night’s (Mar 3) The Pinwheels 2023. Instead, that coveted title went to the science and nature-based YouTube channel, Just Keep Thinking.

You might recognise the channel’s long-haired, bespectacled host, Biogirl MJ, who often greets the audience with “hi, guys” before enthusiastically launching into a factoid or two about Singapore’s coral reefs or even how podiatrists keep feet healthy.

The local science content creator beat the likes of Temasek Polytechnic, Mothership and TSL Media to clinch the title and a S$10,000 production grant.

Just Keep Thinking was also recognised as this year’s Best Newcomer and bagged an additional $5,000 production grant for its video How Does The Singapore Army's Artillery Hit Their Targets?

The Pinwheels also gave out Content of the Year Award – and a S$5,000 production grant – to Hakeem James Hausley for his documentary Air Time.

Meanwhile, Mothership picked up Most Innovative Video Award for an episode in its True Crime series, The Gang Leader Who Murdered A Man In His Own Home: One-Eyed Dragon.

The complete list of awardees is as follows:

1. Content Creator of the Year: Just Keep Thinking
2. Content of the Year: Air Time – Hakeem James Hausley
3. Best Newcomer: How Does The Singapore Army’s Artillery Hit Their Targets? – Just Keep Thinking
4. Best Drama Video: Bahay – Temasek Polytechnic
5. Best Beauty and Fashion Video: Oru Naal Koothu With Suthasini – Dev Studio Productions
6. Best Collaboration Video: A Malay Neighbour’s CNY Decorations For An 80-year-old Ah Ma – Singapore Kindness Movement
7. Best Lifestyle Video: Can’t Believe I’m Finally BACK IN JAPAN – Shawneydepp
8. Best Non-Fiction Video: Ask Me Anything With Xie Dong The Flower Garland Maker – MustShareNews
9. 9) Most Innovative Video: The Gang Leader Who Murdered A Man In His Own Home: One-Eyed Dragon | True Crime – Mothership
10. Most Social Good Video: Man Made – Not Brothers Co.

The award show featured performances by Mandopop star Priscilla Abby, DJ and producer MYRNE, beatboxer Dharni and local indie acts such as Joie Tan, Umar, Rangga and Keyana.

Held at Pasir Panjang Power Station and organised by Mediacorp with support from YouTube, the second edition of The Pinwheels saw a total of 434 entries submitted from budding YouTubers to full-time content producers from Nov 1, 2021 to Oct 31, 2022.

The entries were judged by a panel of industry professionals for their motivation and inspiration as well as the concept, writing and quality of each production.

Viewers can catch the highlights on mewatch and Mediacorp Entertainment’s YouTube channel on Mar 10.