Local secondary students receive awards for their impactful 'I am ME’ one-minute videos
2018-01-14
© UNICEF HK/2018
HONG KONG, 14 January 2018 – Eight local secondary students today received recognition for their creative and impactful ‘I am me’ one-minute videos that touched on self-identity and self-expression at the 2017 UNICEF HK Make A Video Contest Awards Ceremony held at Youth Square.
The contest, organized by the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK), co-organized by Hong Kong Arts Centre’s ifva, and fully supported by Hang Seng Bank, received over 160 submissions from local secondary students, of which some have special educational needs or from ethnic minority background.
At the award presentation ceremony, a total of eight prizes were handed out to awardees in the Senior Secondary and Junior Secondary categories. These awards included Best One-Minute Video and Special Mention.
© UNICEF HK/2018
© UNICEF HK/2018
© UNICEF HK/2018
“A lot of these videos, including the winning titles, touched on how Hong Kong youth cope with the pressures of growing up. We hope that the videos could help the general public to understand our youth’s challenges, and that more support and encouragement could be given to them, so that they would not have to face the heavy pressure by themselves,” said Ms Jane Lau, Chief Executive of UNICEF HK. “The project is to enable our youth’s voice to be heard and that proper care and support would be placed to help our young people grow up health and reach their potential. In UNICEF, we believe that children and youth are the promise of our world’s future.”
Alison Ho, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Hang Seng Bank, said “Hang Seng places strong emphasis on youth development. The ‘Make A Video Contest’ inspires creativity among young people and provides a platform for them to develop new skills. This opportunity for youngsters to express their aspirations and ideas also enhances understanding and communications between younger generations and their families and the community at large.”
UNICEF HK Ambassador and award-winning film director Adam Wong, who is also a creative advisor and judge of the contest, noted that the winning entries are powerful and inspirational. “The theme ‘I am me’ really gave students a terrific opportunity to tell their stories expressively,” remarked Wong. “In particular, An exam result decides my fate? encapsulated the examination challenge facing Hong Kong youth these days. We should listen to their voices and understand their needs.”
Heiward Mak, the other creative advisor and judge of the contest, noted that the videos are of high standard. “Creation is a way for young people to speak, and allows them to truthfully show their concerns, pressure and challenges of growing up. Through the students’ video works, I can see their unique sense of humour and creativity. The contest encourages students to self-explore and express themselves, therefore has gently become a crucial idge for society to learn more about the youth, and take the youth’s thoughts and inner world in consideration.”
18-year-old Tsang Kin-wong won The Best One Minute Video Award in the Senior Secondary School category with An exam result decides my fate?, a video that explores the inner world of those students who face unbearable academic pressure.
While stylistically the video is quite dark, the message the video wants to convey is positive. Tsang made it clear that those students don’t have to resort to extreme measures, as there are solutions to their problems.
© UNICEF HK/2018
© UNICEF HK/2018
15-year-old Tsang Chi-wah, winner of the Best One Minute Video in the Junior Secondary School category, shared his views on the destabilizing effects of labelling, and how being true to oneself is both liberating and empowering. He said in his video, Self-identity: Confidence, “The mask will only block your feelings, and make you more confused. Furthermore, you are still consolidating your own values, why should you care about other’s labels?”
This year, UNICEF HK was proud to have the support from a number of renowned filmmakers who are passionate about youth development. They provided professional coaching and consultation to the contestants who participated in the video clinic. These mentors were Vicky Wong, Trivisa’s co-director and recipient of the Best Director award at the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards, and Steve Chan, director of Weed on Fire and a nominee for the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards. In addition, Frank Hui, co-director of Trivisa, gave a sharing session to show his support for the contest.
The theme of this year’s contest was ‘I am Me’, as it supported youth to express themselves in creative and diverse ways, and fostered healthy and realistic self-images of youth. UNICEF HK has always been at the forefront in advancing child rights, including children’s right to participation, which asserts that children and young people have the right to freely express themselves. The videos offer us an opportunity to see the world in the eyes of the youth, understand young people’s anxieties, concerns and viewpoints, and take action to respond to their needs. Hang Seng Bank continued to offer assistance by engaging members of the Hang Seng Bank Volunteer Team as actors in the production of the videos.
In addition to video clinic, UNICEF HK also organized four five-day video day camps for 60 participants from 12 secondary schools and youth organizations, including students with special educational needs, students from care homes, low-income family and ethnic minorities, so that their voices can be heard by society.
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Event photos can be downloaded here.
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For more information please contact:Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF
Jamie Wong, Communication Specialist Tel : 2836 2967 Email: [email protected]