JAPAN PRIZE 2017 Prize Winners

Special Prize
< The Japan Foundation President’s Prize >
Ayham – My new Life
Entering Organization SRF Swiss Radio and Television
Country/Region Switzerland
Media TV
(By Marcus Nikel)
Ayham - My new Life is a brilliantly done short portrait of young Syrian boy Ayham who arrived in Switzerland with his family, after months of travel as refugees from war-torn Syria. The Jury loved the character, as we are sure kids from the target age and potentially all kinds of viewers will do, and we appreciated a lot how the film describes his struggle to find friends and a home in Zurich, where the family joined their uncle. The viewer gets a clear idea of what it means to be in this situation. Empathy is created, understanding and the consciousness that this story is universal: every one of us could be Ayham, if we were in his situation.
(By Ilona Stämpfli)
I’m feeling very happy and honoured that our film Ayham – My new Life receives the Japan Foundation President’s Prize. It means a lot to us and to Ayham, who is now 14 years old. He’s still living in Switzerland with his family and a passionate soccer player. The story of the Syrian refugee Ayham shows that social integration is possible through friendship and understanding from both sides. A warm "hello" and an invitation to play soccer is all it needs to make someone feel welcome and happy. This kind of story can happen every day all over the world. Everybody can understand the feelings, fears and needs of Ayham. We hope this film helps people to understand the situation of refugees and motivates them to say “hello” to someone who is new in their neighborhood, in school or in the soccer club.

← Prize Winners 2017 Announced

TOP