From 11 films submitted by 26 Filipino high school students, three entries have been selected to compete in the 2013 Asian International Children's Film Festival this November 30, 2013 in Japan.
Through the screening conducted by the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) and the National Youth Commission (NYC), the following finalists were chosen:
"Perishable Goods"
David Alexander Tabuena Gordon, Russ Earl Micah Malangen, Justin Daniel De Dios
(La Salle Greenhills)
"Salamat"
Sabrina Elysha Go Santos, Henzor Dauigoy, Genevie Abarsoza
(Southville International School and Colleges)
"If Only…"
Mary Rose E. Brandon, Savannah Maria Lantay, Danielle Angela Montezon
(The Living Epistle Christian Academy Incorporated)
The Asian International Children's Film Festival, an annual contest now in its 7th year, gives high school students who are film-making enthusiasts the opportunity to showcase their skills among their peers from across Asia. Students from the Philippines will join their fellows from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, and Myanmar to vie for the best amateur film, as well as visit Japan, to develop closer international ties. Last year, the Philippines, represented by James Francis Conda and Kyle Robert Vergara, from San Beda College Alabang won 2nd Place for the Minister of Foreign Affairs Award at the film festival, held on November 24, 2012, at Awaji, Japan.
The theme for this year is centered on bullying, and the student films deal with the different faces of bullying, the consequences, and the challenge to stand up against it. Under the auspices of the Japanese government's JENESYS 2.0 program, the nine members of the three qualifying entries will be going on an all-expense paid trip to Japan for 8 days, from November 25 to December 2, 2013. The finalists will not only participate in the film festival on November 30, but they will also engage in cultural exchange.
The JENESYS 2.0 program was re-launched this year from its predecessor, JENESYS, in 2007, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. JENESYS 2.0 or Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youth aims to promote understanding and cooperation among Southeast Asian youth, the Asian International Children's Film Festival being just one of the avenues towards interaction and collaboration with Japan and its culture. Through a wide variety of exchange offerings to Japan, JENESYS 2.0 has a platform for students and youths of different backgrounds to learn about Japan and embrace the unique Japan Brand.
