Japan Prize 2019
Announcing the Japan Prize 2019 winners!
Japan Prize 2019 received 288 entries for Audiovisual Works and Proposal Pitch from 54 countries and regions in the world.
Annual Report 2019The Grand Prix Japan Prize 2019
- Title
- Buddha in Africa
- Organization
- Thinking Strings Media
Momento Film - Country/Region
- South Africa
Sweden - Media
- Film
- Duration
- 53’30”
In the southern countries of Africa, there are growing number of schools whose objective is to promote Buddhist culture. Set in one such school in Malawi, the documentary follows a group of teenage students as they struggle to reconcile their African roots and Asian values in the process of forging their identities. The school welcomes children from impoverished families and provides them with not just basic education but also instruction in Chinese language and martial arts. A student dreams of becoming a martial arts film star like Jet Li, but he soon comes to a crossroads: he is torn between the choice of returning to his home village to help his family or pursuing a life in the Chinese culture. The film offers a subtle exploration of the impact of soft power while depicting the inner dialogue of African youth as they confront questions of race, culture, and religion.
Audiovisual Works The Best Work in Each Division
The Best Work in the Pre-school Division
(The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Prize)
- Title
- MUSIC IN THE BOX – Finding Sound
- Organization
- Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS)
- Country/Region
- Republic of Korea
- Media
- TV
- Duration
- 10’47”
Children discover the wonders of music, through sounds generated by everyday objects hidden inside a box. In this episode, the host and the children create a variety of sounds from a book by flipping its pages and clapping its covers. Gradually, their acoustic escapade evolves into full-scale musical performance. The program stimulates the children’s curiosity for music by engaging them in various genres including classical, jazz, and rock.
The Best Work in the Primary Division
(The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize)
- Title
- SUBMARINE MYSTERIES AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Humpback whales - Organization
- Pakapaka, Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego
- Country/Region
- Argentina
- Media
- TV
- Duration
- 13’00”
This program invites young viewers into the world of life beneath the sea. Set in the southern-most city of Ushuaia in Argentina, Lola and her three diver friends explore the undersea ecosystems along the Tierra del Fuego coast. The focus of this episode is the humpback whale. Lola visits a research center to learn ways to identify different whale species. She also attempts to observe them using a drone. The result of her research and images she captures are shared online, stimulating communication with viewers to harness collective knowledge.
The Best Work in the Youth Division
(The Minister of Foreign Affairs Prize)
- Title
- Buddha in Africa
- Organization
- Thinking Strings Media (South Africa)
Momento Film (Sweden) - Country/Region
- South Africa
Sweden - Media
- Film
- Duration
- 53’30”
In the southern countries of Africa, there are growing number of schools whose objective is to promote Buddhist culture. Set in one such school in Malawi, the documentary follows a group of teenage students as they struggle to reconcile their African roots and Asian values in the process of forging their identities. The school welcomes children from impoverished families and provides them with not just basic education but also instruction in Chinese language and martial arts. A student dreams of becoming a martial arts film star like Jet Li, but he soon comes to a crossroads: he is torn between the choice of returning to his home village to help his family or pursuing a life in the Chinese culture. The film offers a subtle exploration of the impact of soft power while depicting the inner dialogue of African youth as they confront questions of race, culture, and religion.
The Best Work in the Lifelong Learning Division
(The Governor of Tokyo Prize)
- Title
- HUMANITY 4.0
- Organization
- Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS)
- Country/Region
- Republic of Korea
- Media
- TV
- Duration
- 47’37”
Can humans attain immortality? Is it possible to sustain love throughout eternity? In this documentary program, a renowned Korean mechanical engineer delves into the forefront of science and technology to question the very definition of humanity. Driven by his desire to keep the memory of his beloved son alive forever, Professor Dennis Hong embarks on a journey to find practical ways to attain immorality. Along the way, he meets scientists who employ digital technology to resurrect a deceased lover. He also attempts to preserve his own identity in the form of an AI robot created with his own personal data. Interweaving intimate stories of a father-son relationship with an investigation into advanced science and technology, the program engages us in an emotional and intellectual conversation about love and humanity.
The Best Work in the Digital Media Division
(The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Prize)
- Title
- Like♡Me
- Organization
- Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK)
- Country/Region
- Norway
- Media
- Website
“Like♡me” is a new web drama series that combines elements of social media, messaging apps, and live action drama to tell a story about bullying. Based on the actual testimonies of a group of twelve-year-olds, the story portrays the life of a girl as she gets betrayed by her best friends and suffers exclusion and bullying. The viewers are able to follow either the aggressor or the victim through their daily online posts, and get a first-hand experience of the bullying as it unfolds. The character’s desire for approval and obsession with popularity is depicted in a raw and unfiltered manner, prompting viewers to recognize their own behavior and its consequences. The goal is to help nurture young people’s self-confidence.
Audiovisual Works Special Prizes
The Japan Foundation President’s Prize
- Title
- FACES
How I survived being bullied - Organization
- NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
- Country/Region
- Japan
- Media
- Website
This is a website which collects 2-minute video testimonies of people who survived bullying, addressed to those who are currently suffering from bullying. In attempt to build a platform where people of different ethnicity, religion, and culture can support one another, the project calls upon public media companies around the world to participate in this international co-production initiative. Each message provides hints on how to overcome bullying and regain one’s self-confidence. The idea is to provide ray of hope for those who are suffering, and help them regain joy in life.
The UNICEF Prize
- Title
- A World of Boisterous Silence
- Organization
- NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
- Country/Region
- Japan
- Media
- TV
- Duration
- 50’00”
Set in a school in Tokyo for children who cannot hear, this documentary follows the life of children over the course of a year. For many years, Japan’s schools for the deaf have emphasized assimilation to the mainstream society and banned the use of sign language. Many schools focused on teaching spoken Japanese and lip-reading. At this school, however, the emphasis is put on using sign language to nurture their ability to think, to express themselves, and to build self-confidence. The children’s eyes sparkle as they use sign language to recite poems in class and joke around with friends during recess. The school campus is always silent yet vibrant, making us realize that the children who cannot hear live in a different but equally rich world. Regardless of whether one has disability or not, what is important for the growth of a child? What does a truly diverse society look like? The program poses many important questions.
Proposal Pitch The Best Proposal
The Hoso Bunka Foundation Prize
- Title
- PUMZI & VUYO
- Organization
- Pixcomm
- Country/Region
- South Africa
Lead by a penguin and a vulture, two animals on the endangered list, the program aims to teach preschool children about the importance of conservation. Pumzi is a fun loving and playful penguin, while Vuyo is a clever and precocious vulture. The two contrasting characters have fun playing African music as they learn about various environmental problems. By using animal characters, the program aims to engage children living in urban areas to take interest in issues surrounding nature.
Proposal Pitch Excellent Proposal
The National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan Prize
- Title
- Young African Farmers
- Organization
- Mediaset Africa Communications
- Country/Region
- Kenya
In Africa, unemployment rate among young people with academic degrees are on the rise. Meanwhile, African farmers are growing older with the average age now reaching 60 years old. In order to find solutions to these problems, the program will follow 3 young African farmers in their twenties and thirties who have succeeded in the business of agriculture. What farming techniques are they using? How much money do they make? The objective is to inspire young people to go into agriculture thereby contributing to the increase of food production.
Runners-up
Pre-school Division
1st place
- Title
- Q - PHILOSOPHY FOR CHILDREN -
Why is It Embarrassing to Be Naked? - Organization
- Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)
- Country/Region
- Japan
A puppet boy named Q-kun explores questions about everyday life with a talking rabbit named Chitchi. The question in this episode is, "Why is it embarrassing to be naked?" Together, Q-kun and Chitchi discuss topics such as when and where it’s embarrassing to be nude, and why humans initially began wearing clothes. By questioning "normal" behaviors and ideas, the program helps shed light on exactly why it’s embarrassing to be naked.
2nd place
- Title
- Shimajiro: A World of WOW!
Living - Organization
- Benesse Corporation
The Answerstudio Co. Ltd.
Dash Co., Ltd. - Country/Region
- Japan
The topic of living is discussed in three segments that explore the importance of observation, working together, and creativity.
The episode is designed to make children think about what it means to live. The program’s goal is to help each child discover their own unique way of navigating the outside world—a place that is often mysterious and easy to get lost in.
Primary Division
1st place
- Title
- Look into my World
The Girl with the long Hair - Organization
- Suedwestrundfunk (SWR)
Kurhaus Production - Country/Region
- Germany
Janne, 11, hasn’t had her hair cut for three years. After a television show about children who need a wig, she decides to donate her hair. She herself knows what it's like to live with a handicap because she is hard of hearing. She searches a wigmaker and finds the 14-year-old Anouk, who already lost all her hair as a small child. Is she going to be ready for such a big change?
2nd place
- Title
- Jane my rainbow family
- Organization
- Fermer Film
Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) - Country/Region
- Germany
Jane is twelve and her parents separated a year ago after her mother fell in love with another woman. Now Jane and her younger brother, Elias, stay one week with their dad and one week with their mum and her girlfriend. It took Jane a while to get used to the new set-up, although her mum’s homosexuality was her least concern. She was more scared the family would break apart.
Youth Division
1st place
- Title
- CLOROPHILIA
THE THIRST OF PLANTS - Organization
- Channel Encuentro
- Country/Region
- Argentina
“CLOROPHILIA” is a nature tv series unlike no other - a new way of storytelling that focuses on the natural world. Combining fiction and documentary, the series puts different breathtaking South American locations on display and helps us discover and wonder at the unique world of plants. On each episode, “CLOROPHILIA” reinvents itself: Thriller, futuristic dystopia, romantic comedy or horror movie, everything is possible in this stunning trip to the world of plants.
2nd place
- Title
- Daraya: A Library Under Bombs
- Organization
- Brother Films
- Country/Region
- France
At the heart of the Syrian civil war, a group of activists created an underground library in the besieged outskirts of Damascus. After years of blockade, they were forced to leave their city. But they managed to save their videos illustrating a unique experiment of cultural resistance under the bombs. This film follows the story of three friends who met during the 2011 revolution and never gave up on their cultural resistance and peaceful struggle.
Lifelong Learning Division
1st place
- Title
- Accused #2: Walter Sisulu
- Organization
- La Générale de Production
- Country/Region
- France
256 hours of sound archives recorded during the Rivonia trial (9 months) were recently unearthed and digitised by the Institut National de l’Audiovisuel (INA). They bring back to life the political battle waged by Mandela and his 7 co-defendants. This film looks at one of them in particular: accused number 2, a lesser-known hero of the struggle against Apartheid, Mandela’s mentor Walter Sisulu.
2nd place
- Title
- A World of Boisterous Silence
- Organization
- Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)
- Country/Region
- Japan
At Meisei Gakuen, a school in Tokyo, children who cannot hear learn using sign language. The children’s eyes sparkle as they recite, in sign language, the poem "The Song of Spring" from their textbook. The fresh early spring breeze caresses our cheeks, and tiny veronica flowers bloom in profusion before our eyes. We turn our eyes to that "boisterous world of silence" and ask alumni of the school for their perspectives on Japanese society today.
Digital Media Division
1st place
- Title
- History 360°
- Organization
- Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF)
- Country/Region
- Germany
“History 360°” makes historical connections, developments and events tangible for spectators. The ZDF relies on linear documentaries, innovative 360 degrees video productions and a walk-in, virtual space. The seven 360 degrees short documentaries provide users the opportunity to travel back in time to certain places in Germany. By combining original locations, archive material and animation technology, the movies offer a new look at the history of each location.
Finalists (Audiovisual Works)
Pre-school Division
Entry No. I-001
- Title
- Becca's Bunch
- Entering Organization
- JAM Media
- Country/Region
- Ireland
- Media
- TV
Pedro tells The Bunch he’s never had a wish come true. The Bunch can’t believe this, and Becca thinks she knows just how to solve it; an adventure to The Wishing Stone! This episode fosters resilience in Pedro not to give up on his wish and that ultimately, he has the ability to be brave within himself all along. It also encourages play, curiosity and the importance of friendship among the Becca and Bunch.
Entry No. I-004
- Title
- House of Mechanics
- Entering Organization
- Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
- Country/Region
- Norway
- Media
- TV
Archimedes said: Give me but a firm spot on which to stand, and I shall move the earth. Marco checks if he can become Superman by using a lever. “House of Mechanics” is an educational show about basic principles of mechanics and physics. Children build their own constructions to find solutions. The goal of the series is to open the mind of small engineers.
Entry No. I-005
- Title
- MAYBE AN ELEPHANT
- Entering Organization
- Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation
- Country/Region
- Israel
- Media
- TV
Ayelet and Gali are two adorable sisters who share the same room. Gali is the older sister and her side of the room is always super tidy. The side of Ayelet, though, is filled with papers and crayons. She really likes to paint. When Gali asks her what she is painting, she replies, Maybe an elephant...
When no one is around, her paintings become alive, always get Ayelet into trouble.
Entry No. I-006
- Title
- I am ME
- Entering Organization
- KiKA-Der Kinderkanal von ARD und ZDF
- Country/Region
- Germany
- Media
- TV
Six-year-old Jona is gluten intolerant. In order for him to learn to be independent, his family bakes bread with him. Jona knows what to do, and they bake delicious bread. The fact that Jona has Down syndrome is not mentioned on purpose. Because Jona is simply Jona and, just like every other kid, he doesn’t need to have an "explanation" attached to him.
Entry No. I-008
- Title
- The Birdhouse Stories
- Entering Organization
- Dandelooo
- Country/Region
- France
- Media
- Film
How delicious to be told stories! How joyful to see the illustrations of a book come alive along the reading... Six stories from children books gathered in animated images about birds twirling around, chirruping or even cooing! “The Birdhouse Stories” invites us to open up to small details that make us understand the world, soar and spread our wings to bloom.
Entry No. I-011
- Title
- The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That! -Season 3
- Entering Organization
- Portfolio Entertainment Inc.
- Country/Region
- Canada
- Media
- TV
Sally is convinced that a tall thin glass of juice holds more than a short wide glass, so Cat takes them to Point O'View where they learn that getting evidence can cause them to change their mind. This program focuses on Science Inquiry & Conservation of Matter, explanations should be supported with evidence. Changing shape or breaking apart an object does not change the amount of material it is made up of.
Entry No. I-014
- Title
- Raven's Quest
- Entering Organization
- Apartment 11 Productions
- Country/Region
- Canada
- Media
- TV
“Raven's Quest” features first-person profiles of Indigenous kids from various political and physical regions in Canada. This series introduces children to the diversity of Indigenous communities with different languages, territories, and traditions.
Each episode showcases a different child and their unique perspective on their day-to-day hobbies, talents, and First Nations, Metis or Inuit practices.
Entry No. I-015
- Title
- Open and Close
- Entering Organization
- Danmarks Radio
- Country/Region
- Denmark
- Media
- TV
The two hosts Katrine and Sofie focus on the challenging theme Feelings - all the strange feelings we have inside us, and some of the taboos regarding those. The show brings up topics such as separation, sleep over, being afraid, siblings and being shy. And it talks openly and freely about all the different emotions these situations can bring up in you.
Entry No. I-016
- Title
- Q - PHILOSOPHY FOR CHILDREN -
- Entering Organization
- Japan Broadcasting Corporation
- Country/Region
- Japan
- Media
- TV
A puppet boy named Q-kun explores questions about everyday life with a talking rabbit named Chitchi.
The question in this episode is, "Why is it embarrassing to be naked?" Together, Q-kun and Chitchi discuss topics such as when and where it’s embarrassing to be nude, and why humans initially began wearing clothes. By questioning "normal" behaviors and ideas, the program helps shed light on exactly why it’s embarrassing to be naked.
Entry No. I-021
- Title
- Grandad, Gran and me
- Entering Organization
- KRO-NCRV
- Country/Region
- Netherlands
- Media
- TV
In this program, we see a toddler with Grandad/Gran. Together they do an activity. This can be anything, preferably something really fun / beautiful / unusual / cool / crazy for other children to watch. We also show how Grandad/Gran is at home, what is fun for them and we hear the children say what they think is fun / funny / crazy about their Grandad and Gran.
Entry No. I-027
- Title
- Yakka Dee!
- Entering Organization
- Yakka Dee Ltd
- Country/Region
- United Kingdom
- Media
- TV
Have you seen the look on a child’s face when they first speak? They are filled with joy, positive self-esteem and confidence. “Yakka Dee!” celebrates children communicating - because talking fills you up with whizz, pop, bang!
Each episode of “Yakka Dee!” concentrates on one word. The words featured focus on the first sounds children can vocalise, making it especially helpful for young children, those with speech delay, autism or English as a second language.
Entry No. I-030
- Title
- Dino Dana
- Entering Organization
- Sinking Ship Entertainment
- Country/Region
- Canada
- Media
- TV
In ‘A Dino Never Forgets’, Dana is upset when she finds out that her friend and neighbour Mr. Hendrickson is moving to a new home. In her latest dino experiment, she learns about dino migration from a huge herd of travelling sauropods. Her discoveries help make the transition a little easier for her and Mr. Hendrickson.
Entry No. I-035
- Title
- Shimajiro: A World of WOW!
- Entering Organization
- Benesse Corporation
- Country/Region
- Japan
- Media
- TV
The topic of living is discussed in three segments that explore the importance of observation, working together, and creativity.
The episode is designed to make children think about what it means to live. The program’s goal is to help each child discover their own unique way of navigating the outside world—a place that is often mysterious and easy to get lost in.
Entry No. I-037
- Title
- MUSIC IN THE BOX
- Entering Organization
- Educational Broadcasting System
- Country/Region
- Republic of Korea
- Media
- TV
1. Opening: Which music box do we open today?
2. Unboxing & Playtime: Let's play with anything and make it into music!
3. Going out on a high note, The Performance Box
It covers from children’s song to classical pieces, jazz, rock, and pop songs. Capturing the attention of children and parents as well.
Primary Division
Entry No. E-001
- Title
- ZombieLars (Season 2)
- Entering Organization
- Tordenfilm AS
- Country/Region
- Norway
- Media
- TV
It's election time in the town of Bekkebakken. Newcomer mayoral candidate Bastian Berg is promising free taco Fridays, free waffles on Sundays and all Strangers to be kicked out of town. Will anyone vote for this? Are things about to change for the worse in Bekkebakken? And what will this mean for Anna and Lars - can a ninja and a zombie find love in a society that hates who they are?
Entry No. E-016
- Title
- Life In The Land of Maths
- Entering Organization
- Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company
- Country/Region
- Sweden
- Media
- TV
Welcome to the country where mathematics means everything! Meet the self-confident math police who solves his cases with help from the number thief Conni Calculation. In the bakery, Bunnino and Cookie bake fresh and correct calculations, while Primus and Deci in the Digit shop construct any number using just ten digits.
Entry No. E-017
- Title
- Swing
- Entering Organization
- RADIO TELEVISION OF SERBIA
- Country/Region
- Serbia
- Media
- TV
Amir and Saber are two boys from Afghanistan who, after the shipwreck, are separated from their parents and stay alone on a refugee path. On their way through Serbia, they decide to spend the night at a farm. Next morning, Amir reveals Saber is too ill to continue their journey. Ten-year-old Milos finds them, but decides not to tell anyone about them and to help them.
Entry No. E-019
- Title
- Jane my rainbow family
- Entering Organization
- Fermer Film
- Country/Region
- Germany
- Media
- TV
Jane is twelve and her parents separated a year ago after her mother fell in love with another woman. Now Jane and her younger brother, Elias, stay one week with their dad and one week with their mum and her girlfriend. It took Jane a while to get used to the new set-up, although her mum’s homosexuality was her least concern. She was more scared the family would break apart.
Entry No. E-020
- Title
- Hi mum, bye dad
- Entering Organization
- NTR
- Country/Region
- Netherlands
- Media
- TV
What does it feel like when your mother and father are no longer together?
You have to pack your suitcase and you have to travel between 2 houses. In the children’s series, “Hi mum, bye dad” presenter Tatum Dagelet sets off with children from divorced parents. Each episode she drives a child from one parent to the other and talks to them about how it is when your parents are divorced.
Entry No. E-035
- Title
- The Big Divorce Show
- Entering Organization
- Danmarks Radio
- Country/Region
- Denmark
- Media
- TV
“Divorces is so common nowadays that grown-ups tend to forget how hard it can actually be.”
This sentence by a kid kickstarted our public service project, aiming to show children that they have the right to be heard. In a series of four episodes, Frida, Julius and Mathilde, unfold their stories and thoughts of being a child of divorce and design their very own stand-up show together with a comedian who is also a divorce-child.
Entry No. E-040
- Title
- Brothers
- Entering Organization
- Vietnam Television
- Country/Region
- Vietnam
- Media
- TV
Thanh (9) and Canh (17) earn living as magicians on the street every night. Thanh, after birth, was sent to live in another family because his family was in poverty. He just returned home two years ago, but he is afraid of being sent to another family again one day. Will the love between the brothers after so many years of separation help them overcome the past obsession and the daily obstacles and stay together?
Entry No. E-041
- Title
- Kids of Courage
- Entering Organization
- LOOKS Film & TV Produktionen GmbH
- Country/Region
- Germany
- Media
- TV
Anton, 10, joins Hitler Youth against his father’s wish while he discovers that his friend, Greta, is Jewish. On the night of November 9, 1938, Anton sees violence breaks out on the streets. Greta and her parents seek protection from him and his family. Anton now sees what the Nazis are capable of. Confidentially, he goes to his comrade Rudi for advice - and lands his father, Greta and her family in great difficulty.
Entry No. E-042
- Title
- SUBMARINE MYSTERIES AT THE END OF THE WORLD
- Entering Organization
- Pakapaka
- Country/Region
- Argentina
- Media
- TV
Documentary series that invites us to reveal the secrets of subaquatic life. Lola lives in Ushuaia, the city farthest south in the world. In each episode, Lola suggests learning about different species that live in the Tierra del Fuego shores and in order to do that, she challenges three diver friends who capture the most wonderful images from the bottom of the ocean.
Entry No. E-043
- Title
- Save our mother earth!
- Entering Organization
- Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
- Country/Region
- Japan
- Media
- Video
Rina and Kento visited a theme park created by Gaea, the earth incarnated. Park rides there demonstrate climate change and portray the threat to the globe and our lives. Rina and Kento learn the history of the earth and global warming from Gaea and start thinking about what they can do for the future of the earth.
Entry No. E-046
- Title
- Last Commanders
- Entering Organization
- Objective Media Group Scotland
- Country/Region
- United Kingdom
- Media
- TV
Combining a dramatic science fiction story, the intense gameplay of first person videogames and the fun and entertainment of gameshow television, “Last Commanders” is an interactive, universe-spanning, sci-fi adventure show. Four sets of young Commanders direct their chosen character through a mission on board a space station, working together to crack codes, tackle obstacles and overcome challenges.
Entry No. E-049
- Title
- Sounds Hunter
- Entering Organization
- Zoomin Contenidos
- Country/Region
- Argentina
- Media
- TV
The hunters, girls and boys from different regions, have a concrete mission: to catch sounds, rythms and melodies from every corner of the country. Together with Cami and Ale, they create new sound map of Argentina which will result in an original song in every episode. The first destinations of this sound map are: Tilcara, Buenos Aires, San Juan, Mar del Plata and Mendoza, among many other iconic places of Argentina.
Entry No. E-054
- Title
- Look into my World
- Entering Organization
- Sudwestrundfunk
- Country/Region
- Germany
- Media
- TV
Janne, 11, hasn’t had her hair cut for three years. After a television show about children who need a wig, she decides to donate her hair. She herself knows what it's like to live with a handicap because she is hard of hearing. She searches a wigmaker and finds the 14-year-old Anouk, who already lost all her hair as a small child. Is she going to be ready for such a big change?
Entry No. E-062
- Title
- Water Cart
- Entering Organization
- Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation
- Country/Region
- Sri Lanka
- Media
- TV
When a little girl cannot afford to buy drinking water, she goes to a well in the jungle with her friends. Villagers, who buy water from a woman, are shocked to know her well is contaminated just as other wells in the village. Meanwhile, the children manage to bring clean water to the village and make the villagers happy because they now have water to cook their milk rice to celebrate the New Year.
Youth Division
Entry No. Y-002
- Title
- My Troubled Mind: Stories About Teenage Mental Health
- Entering Organization
- Mosaic Films
- Country/Region
- United Kingdom
- Media
- Video
Ryan speaks bravely about his experience of racial bullying and a dysfunctional home life while he was growing up. It took a long, anguishing time, where he was experiencing suicidal thoughts, until Ryan was able to find someone he could talk to and eventually get the help he needed. Before it got more serious.
Entry No. Y-004
- Title
- Streetkids United 3 - The Road To Moscow
- Entering Organization
- JaJa Film Productions
- Country/Region
- Netherlands
- Media
- Film
This documentary is the empowering story of nine Indian girls who are chosen by Karunalaya Social Service Society to represent their country at the Street Child World Cup in Moscow, Russia. The girls are an inspiration to everyone who meets them because of their positive and uplifting spirit. They hope to become a role model for other street children and show that street children are somebody.
Entry No. Y-009
- Title
- Unique
- Entering Organization
- Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
- Country/Region
- Norway
- Media
- TV
The purpose of the series is to safeguard children who become sick, increase awareness of children with illnesses, and nurture empathy. In this episode, Rie is finally undergoing sophisticated facial surgery in London, Trym hopes he won't need to have his joints tapped for fluid, and Marie looks forward to enjoying Halloween even though she has diabetes.
Entry No. Y-014
- Title
- Two Para Swimming Rivals: Same Age, Same Name, Same Dream
- Entering Organization
- Ehime Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
- Country/Region
- Japan
- Media
- TV
Young swimmers, Honoka Okabe and Honoka Nakamichi, share the same given name and birth year. Okabe has congenital disorder of her right arm from the elbows up. Nakamichi has no right leg as a birth defect. They began swimming in their childhood, and their next goal is to the take part in the competitive swimming 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. They keep training towards the goal, encouraging each other.
Entry No. Y-016
- Title
- Thank God I am Homo
- Entering Organization
- Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company
- Country/Region
- Sweden
- Media
- TV
“Thank God I am Homo” is a lesbian road trip through Sweden, about being lesbian in Sweden the year 2018. The aim is to find answers to questions like: Are people in the countryside more judgmental towards gay people than urban people? Is it possible to see if someone is gay?
Entry No. Y-017
- Title
- My Way
- Entering Organization
- Radio Television Hong Kong
- Country/Region
- China
- Media
- TV
When we run, we run towards specific goals.
The three youngsters featured in this episode do not have outstanding academic qualifications but are determined to forge a partnership with horses. They have opted for careers in the horseracing industry, persevering with what they want to do in the hope of making something of themselves. The youngsters are charging full steam ahead towards their respective goals.
Entry No. Y-019
- Title
- Daraya: A Library Under Bombs
- Entering Organization
- JAVA FILMS
- Country/Region
- France
- Media
- TV
At the heart of the Syrian civil war, a group of activists created an underground library in the besieged outskirts of Damascus. After years of blockade, they were forced to leave their city. But they managed to save their videos illustrating a unique experiment of cultural resistance under the bombs. This film follows the story of three friends who met during the 2011 revolution and never gave up on their cultural resistance and peaceful struggle.
Entry No. Y-024
- Title
- My Notebooks: Seven Years of Tiny Great Adventures
- Entering Organization
- Japan Broadcasting Corporation
- Country/Region
- Japan
- Media
- TV
Children’s Nonfiction Literature Award winner, Asuka Umeda’s kept writing Self-Learning notebooks in which he independently learns about a topic of his own choosing for 7 years. These notebooks are not written for homework or a grade, but for his own enjoyment, and they have helped him connect with many local adults, broadened his horizons and resist the pressure to fit in within the narrow society of school.
Entry No. Y-025
- Title
- Mitigate menstrual miseries through schools
- Entering Organization
- Bangladesh Television
- Country/Region
- Bangladesh
- Media
- TV
A school of a remote area has initiated an innovative step to mitigate menstrual miseries of the students. It established a room where female students spend their time freely and get menstrual health related items free of cost as well as medical advice and medicine. It has become a role model that inspires others to initiate such facilities.
Entry No. Y-026
- Title
- Buddha in Africa
- Entering Organization
- Thinking Strings Media
- Country/Region
- South Africa
- Media
- Film
Enock Alu, a Malawian teenager growing up in a Chinese Buddhist orphanage, feels torn between his African roots and Chinese upbringing as he has to make some tough decisions about his future. “Buddha in Africa” poses complex questions about race, imperialism, faith and culture and offers a subtle exploration of the impact of soft cultural power on the identity and interior life of a young boy and his community.
Entry No. Y-028
- Title
- Some deep story
- Entering Organization
- Finnish Broadcasting Company
- Country/Region
- Finland
- Media
- Video
Riikka was bullied at primary school. The torture continued in high school and eventually in social media.
The cyberbullying began when she worked as a moderator for a Facebook group of 25,000 members. From there the bullying spread to other Facebook groups. Soon, very personal things related to her life were discussed among over 100,000 people. People laughed at her appearance, invented lies about her and wished she would kill herself.
Entry No. Y-029
- Title
- CLOROPHILIA
- Entering Organization
- Channel Encuentro
- Country/Region
- Argentina
- Media
- TV
“CLOROPHILIA” is a nature tv series unlike no other - a new way of storytelling that focuses on the natural world. Combining fiction and documentary, the series puts different breathtaking South American locations on display and helps us discover and wonder at the unique world of plants.
On each episode, “CLOROPHILIA” reinvents itself: Thriller, futuristic dystopia, romantic comedy or horror movie, everything is possible in this stunning trip to the world of plants.
Entry No. Y-035
- Title
- Jenny
- Entering Organization
- Productions Avenida Inc.
- Country/Region
- Canada
- Media
- TV
After several months of treatment to fight leukemia, Jenny can start dreaming about returning to a more normal life.
While her physical health has improved greatly, her mental wellbeing hasn’t kept up. With the help of her therapist, family and friends, Jenny faces new challenges and more than anyone, understands that the future is full of surprises and decides to take full advantage of each day to reinvent a life that is her own.
Entry No. Y-040
- Title
- King of Gulset
- Entering Organization
- Spark
- Country/Region
- Norway
- Media
- TV
In “King of Gulset”, stand-up comedian Jonis Josef takes us back to his youth in the middle of 2000s and tells us, with his somewhat exaggerated, narrow and subjective memory, stories of what happened at Gulset when he and his gang of teenagers grew up.
Entry No. Y-042
- Title
- My Life: I Will Survive
- Entering Organization
- Blakeway North
- Country/Region
- United Kingdom
- Media
- TV
Filmed across summer 2018 this film, a follow up to Born to Vlog, follows Youtuber Nikki Lilly as she turns 14; persuades her parents to let her dye her hair and deals with growing up and puberty, whilst surviving an eight-day coma and coping with her ongoing life-threatening medical condition.
Entry No. Y-052
- Title
- Bike Bird
- Entering Organization
- Nuten Film AS
- Country/Region
- Norway
- Media
- Film
“Bike Bird” is a film about Zahra (12) who lives in an asylum reception center in western Norway.
Zahra wants to learn to ride a bike but is not allowed by her parents because they know that a cycling girl in Afghanistan is in danger of getting a very bad reputation. Zahra is a fighter and she lets no one else prevent her from following her dreams.
Lifelong Learning Division
Entry No. L-004
- Title
- Seats at the Table
- Entering Organization
- Rosalia Films, Inc.
- Country/Region
- United States
- Media
- Film
“Seats at the Table” portrays a remarkable class which connects college students with prisoners of a maximum-security juvenile facility as they discuss classic works of Russian Literature. Each group enters with their own set of preconceptions regarding the other. The literature provides a point of reference whereby they can discuss their lives openly and honestly and learn from each other.
Entry No. L-006
- Title
- Humanity4.0
- Entering Organization
- Educational Broadcasting System
- Country/Region
- Republic of Korea
- Media
- TV
Can we be immortal? Can it be possible to preserve our love forever?
One of genius mechanical engineers in the world, Professor Dennis Hong at RoMeLa, UCLA leads this documentary has observed an advanced technology that recreate one’s lover as an immortal digital being and he has experienced the similar procedure to transform himself as an AI machine to cherish the memory with his beloved son, Ethan.
Entry No. L-008
- Title
- Letter from Masanjia
- Entering Organization
- Flying Cloud Productions Inc.
- Country/Region
- Canada
- Media
- Film
When a woman from Oregon finds an SOS note written by a Chinese prisoner stashed in a box of Halloween decorations from Kmart, she never imagined it would eventually lead to the closure of all of China's labour camps. Her story went viral around the world, and the letter-writer Sun Yi, a former prisoner who had been wrongly jailed for his beliefs, was forced into hiding for fear of the repercussions.
Entry No. L-019
- Title
- Blind Flying
- Entering Organization
- Swiss Radio and Television
- Country/Region
- Switzerland
- Media
- TV
Jonas and Yves are blind and severely visually impaired. Years ago the two friends set themselves the goal of discovering the world without a sighted companion. The two wanted to form their own impressions of a city that’s always making headlines. What is life like there? What’s the atmosphere like? Jerusalem and its people hold plenty of surprises for them, from the Wailing Wall to a taxi journey to the Dead Sea.
Entry No. L-027
- Title
- Open Bracket
- Entering Organization
- Radiotelevisione Italiana
- Country/Region
- Italy
- Media
- TV
“Open Bracket” is a multimedia project, spread through public service platforms (Radio 3, Rai 3, Rai Play and Rai Radio Play). It aims to shift points of view and provide ways of understanding that can help us enter a world that is normally closed: the world of young people. It tells the stories of young people of both sexes, victims and perpetrators, in order to better understand a complex reality.
Entry No. L-036
- Title
- The Body
- Entering Organization
- Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
- Country/Region
- Norway
- Media
- Video
Why and when do girls get their periods? How does it feel when their breasts start to grow? The episode explains how the female body changes during puberty and after puberty. It is part of a series about how our brains, bodies and feelings change in our youth.
Entry No. L-044
- Title
- First Contact
- Entering Organization
- Animiki See Digital Production Inc.
- Country/Region
- Canada
- Media
- TV
“First Contact” takes six Canadians, all with stereotypical opinions about Indigenous People, on a unique 28-day exploration of Indigenous Canada. It is a journey that will turn their lives upside down, challenging their perceptions and confronting their prejudices about a world they never imagined they would see. This exploration of the true Indigenous experience in Canada will change the participants’ lives forever.
Entry No. L-045
- Title
- Kosmos – The Universe in Five Minutes
- Entering Organization
- Finnish Broadcasting Company
- Country/Region
- Finland
- Media
- Video
Is there other intelligent life out there? What existed before the Big Bang? Why does the universe expand at an increasing pace, and what will happen to us? Thousands of Finns sent questions to Yle Science about space and the universe. That’s how the short form series “Kosmos – The Universe in Five Minutes”, Finland’s first crowdsourced science series, was created and published in Yle Areena.
Entry No. L-046
- Title
- A World of Boisterous Silence
- Entering Organization
- Japan Broadcasting Corporation
- Country/Region
- Japan
- Media
- TV
At Meisei Gakuen, a school in Tokyo, children who cannot hear learn using sign language.
The children’s eyes sparkle as they recite, in sign language, the poem "The Song of Spring" from their textbook. The fresh early spring breeze caresses our cheeks, and tiny veronica flowers bloom in profusion before our eyes. We turn our eyes to that "boisterous world of silence" and ask alumni of the school for their perspectives on Japanese society today.
Entry No. L-051
- Title
- Dapin: Footprints in Taiwan
- Entering Organization
- Taiwan Indigenous Television
- Country/Region
- Taiwan
- Media
- TV
Yawi Hayung, an Atayal doctor, has provided medical services for the mountain areas of Fuxing District for 32 years. His greatest difficulty is that he cannot find anyone to take over his practice. This summer, Miku Taro, an Atayal intern, comes to Yawi’s clinic and after the summer break, she is going to be a first-year student at medical school. Will Dr. Hayung find his successor?
Entry No. L-054
- Title
- Accused #2: Walter Sisulu
- Entering Organization
- La Générale de Production
- Country/Region
- France
- Media
- Film
256 hours of sound archives recorded during the Rivonia trial (9 months) were recently unearthed and digitised by the Institut National de l’Audiovisuel (INA). They bring back to life the political battle waged by Mandela and his 7 co-defendants. This film looks at one of them in particular: accused number 2, a lesser-known hero of the struggle against Apartheid, Mandela’s mentor Walter Sisulu.
Digital Media Division
Entry No. D-002
- Title
- #followme – The dark economy behind your timeline
- Entering Organization
- VPRO
- Country/Region
- Netherlands
- Media
- Cross-media
In “#followme” – the first documentary about Instagram – documentary filmmaker Nicolaas Veul dives into the network's inner workings and uncovers a well-oiled machine based on fraud. From celebs faking popularity to networks of Russian housewives selling comments-on-demand: who is fooling whom in the circus called Instagram?
Entry No. D-007
- Title
- Like♡me
- Entering Organization
- Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
- Country/Region
- Norway
- Media
- Website
“Like♡me” is a new web drama series that combines elements of social media, messages and live action drama to tell a believable story about exclusion and bullying. The Viewers are able to comment on the story as it unfolds.
Entry No. D-015
- Title
- History 360°
- Entering Organization
- Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen
- Country/Region
- Germany
- Media
- Cross-media
“History 360°” makes historical connections, developments and events tangible for spectators. The ZDF relies on linear documentaries, innovative 360 degrees video productions and a walk-in, virtual space.
The seven 360 degrees short documentaries provide users the opportunity to travel back in time to certain places in Germany. By combining original locations, archive material and animation technology, the movies offer a new look at the history of each location.
Entry No. D-018
- Title
- FACES - How I Survived Being Bullied -
- Entering Organization
- Japan Broadcasting Corporation
- Country/Region
- Japan
- Media
- Website
The “FACES” is a global project for public broadcasters to participate and gather 2 minutes testimonies in which people explain how they survived being bullied during their childhood, so that those who are suffering can find clues to get out from the situation. These testimonial videos are also delivered online, so that the victims can easily access and find that they are not alone and will realize that many in the world are beside them.
Entry No. D-026
- Title
- Ocean School
- Entering Organization
- National Film Board of Canada
- Country/Region
- Canada
- Media
- Website
At “Ocean School”, learners explore habitats at the bottom of the Gulf of St. Lawrence with VR.
They strike a pose with an augmented reality whale, and dissect virtual cod! Through stunning animation, they learn about the history of the cod through the eyes of an Indigenous artist. “Ocean School” empowers the next generation of citizens with the knowledge and tools to design innovative solutions for the accelerating challenges that face the world’s ocean.
Finalists (Proposal Pitch)
Proposal Division
Entry No. P-001
- Title
- Wally’s Wheels
- Entering Organization
- ZincoTools Entertainment
- Country/Region
- Colombia
Isn’t it fun when your dog is the one taking you for a walk? Whenever Wally takes his shepherd dog Motta out for a ride, it takes the opportunity to escape and play hide and seek… or so Wally believes! While Motta is out dealing with “the bad guys”, Wally and his two friends are using Wally’s wheelchair and their imagination to explore the world around them.
Entry No. P-003
- Title
- Young African Farmers
- Entering Organization
- Mediaset Africa Communications
- Country/Region
- Kenya
The average African farmer is 60 years old according to FAO thus time to persuade the youth towards the agricultural value chain & food security as an assured source of income. The Agriculture value chain can absorb up to 20% of unemployed youth according to the ministry of agriculture in Kenya while injecting much needed food into the market.
Entry No. P-020
- Title
- A War on Children
- Entering Organization
- Lolo's Boy Productions
- Country/Region
- Philippines
Two years after the siege in Marawi City, a group of Christian volunteers reached out to the displaced families of the city. It was a unique sight to behold, because religious tensions were set aside as Muslims and Christians join forces to provide education by initiating a mobile school for the displaced children in armed conflict.
Entry No. P-028
- Title
- Pumzi & Vuyo
- Entering Organization
- Pixcomm
- Country/Region
- South Africa
“Pumzi & Vuyo” features a fun loving and playful young Penguin, Pumzi, who lives in a baobab tree with her friend, Vuyo the Vulture. Both of these animals on the endangered list at risk of extinction. These two animated characters are joined by children and other friends, combining animation along with African stories, music and animals. It’s interactive, and children will be encouraged to join in, sing along and play the games.
Entry No. P-033
- Title
- Fight fire with fire
- Entering Organization
- Radio Television of Vojvodina
- Country/Region
- Serbia
If the teenage population lost its ability to be focused on something for more than 50 seconds by being in world of virtual reality for too long, and if their connection to the virtual world is high on their list of priorities, then that same virtual world is a possible tool that we could use to eliminate the unwanted consequences that have appeared in their lifestyle. This film monitors the game development process and teenagers giving advice to the developers.
Jurors
Final Selection Jurors
COMMITTEE 1
Pre-school, Primary & Digital Media Divisions / Proposal Pitch
Chairperson of Audiovisual Works
- Name:
- Sevilay Bozdemir
- Country/Region:
- Turkey
- Title & Organization:
- Executive Producer
Turkish Radio & TV (TRT)
Chairperson of Proposal Pitch
- Name:
- Glynis Beukes‒Kapa
- Country/Region:
- Namibia
- Title & Organization:
- Executive Producer ‒ Education & Religion
Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)
Leader of Committee 1
- Name:
- Abby Jenkins
- Country/Region:
- United States
- Title & Organization:
- Senior Director, Content, PBS KIDS Digital
PBS
- Name:
- Fernanda Rotondaro
- Country/Region:
- Argentina
- Title & Organization:
- General Manager
Encuentro/Pakapaka– Federal System of Media and Public Content of Argentina
COMMITTEE 2
Youth & Digital Media Divisions / Proposal Pitch
Leader of Committee 2
- Name:
- Ade Rawcliffe
- Country/Region:
- United Kingdom
- Title & Organization:
- Head of Diversity, ITV Commissioning
ITV
Leader of Digital Media Division
- Name:
- Harto Hänninen
- Country/Region:
- Finland
- Title & Organization:
- Director/Script Writer/Subeditor
Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE)
- Name:
- Stefanie Theil
- Country/Region:
- Switzerland
- Title & Organization:
- Senior Producer
Swiss Radio and Television (SRF)
- Name:
- Ai Shibata
- Country/Region:
- Japan
- Title & Organization:
- Senior Producer, Unit 1 (Youth & Education), Program Production Department
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
COMMITTEE 3
Lifelong Learning & Digital Media Divisions / Proposal Pitch
Leader of Committee 3
- Name:
- Karina Laterza
- Country/Region:
- Italy
- Title & Organization:
- Secretary General of Prix Italia
Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI) / Prix Italia
- Name:
- Somyos Kiataramkul
- Country/Region:
- Thailand
- Title & Organization:
- Manager of Program Production Department
Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS)
- Name:
- Khadija Ouled Addi
- Country/Region:
- Qatar
- Title & Organization:
- Program Producer
Al Jazeera Network ‒ Center for Liberties & Human Rights
- Name:
- Kathy Li
- Country/Region:
- China
- Title & Organization:
- Program Manager
DOClabs Beijing
Preliminary Selection Jurors
COMMITTEE 1
Audiovisual Works (Pre-school Division)
Leader of Committee 1
- Name:
- Sojin An
- Country/Region:
- Republic of Korea
- Title & Organization:
- Acquisitions Executive of Programming Center
Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS)
- Name:
- Brandon Lane
- Country/Region:
- Canada
- Title & Organization:
- Development Producer
Nelvana
- Name:
- Rasmus Mandsberg
- Country/Region:
- Denmark
- Title & Organization:
- Content Producer
Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR)
- Name:
- Yangfan Liu
- Country/Region:
- Japan
- Title & Organization:
- Program Director, Unit 1 (Youth & Education), Program Production Department
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
COMMITTEE 2
Audiovisual Works (Primary Division)
Leader of Committee 2
- Name:
- Monica Maruri Castillo
- Country/Region:
- Ecuador
- Title & Organization:
- Executive Director
Instituto Iberoamericano del Patrimonio Natural y Cultural (IPANC)
- Name:
- Launa Kennett
- Country/Region:
- United Kingdom
- Title & Organization:
- Director/Producer
Blakeway North
- Name:
- Ulla Rehbein
- Country/Region:
- Germany
- Title & Organization:
- Producer
Suedwestrundfunk (SWR)
- Name:
- Hiroaki Narimatsu
- Country/Region:
- Japan
- Title & Organization:
- Program Director, Unit 1 (Youth & Education), Program Production Department
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
COMMITTEE 3
Audiovisual Works (Youth Division)
Leader of Committee 3
- Name:
- Anna Birgersson-Dahlberg
- Country/Region:
- Sweden
- Title & Organization:
- Head of Development
Bilda Sweden
- Name:
- Tshilidzi Davhana
- Country/Region:
- South Africa
- Title & Organization:
- Commissioning Editor
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
- Name:
- Fernanda Rotondaro
- Country/Region:
- Argentina
- Title & Organization:
- General Manager
Encuentro/Pakapaka– Federal System of Media and Public Content of Argentina
- Name:
- Yuri Sudo
- Country/Region:
- Japan
- Title & Organization:
- Senior Producer, Unit 6 (Media Design), Program Production Department
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
COMMITTEE 4
Audiovisual Works (Lifelong Learning Division)
Leader of Committee 4
- Name:
- Will Pedigo
- Country/Region:
- United States
- Title & Organization:
- Executive Producer
Nashville Public Television (NPT)
- Name:
- Nobuya Dan
- Country/Region:
- Japan
- Title & Organization:
- Producer/Writer
DOCUMENTARY JAPAN INC.
- Name:
- Anandana Kapur
- Country/Region:
- India
- Title & Organization:
- Director
CINEMAD India
- Name:
- Taku Arai
- Country/Region:
- Japan
- Title & Organization:
- Principal Program Director, Unit 3 (Science, Welfare & Lifestyle), Program Production Department
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
- Name:
- Shuichi Mano
- Country/Region:
- Japan
- Title & Organization:
- Senior Producer, Unit 3 (Science, Welfare & Lifestyle), Program Production Department
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
COMMITTEE 5
Audiovisual Works (Digital Media Division)
Leader of Committee 5
- Name:
- Rob McLaughlin
- Country/Region:
- Canada
- Title & Organization:
- Executive Producer, Digital Content and Strategy
National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
- Name:
- Florent Maurin
- Country/Region:
- France
- Title & Organization:
- President
The Pixel Hunt
- Name:
- Yusuke Mizuno
- Country/Region:
- Japan
- Title & Organization:
- CEO
Life is Tech, Inc.
- Name:
- Takashi Katsume
- Country/Region:
- Japan
- Title & Organization:
- Program Director, Unit 3 (Science, Welfare & Lifestyle), Program Production Department
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)