Panasonic brings back the alluring film making program for students after 2 years being affected by Covid-19

Hanoi, September 25 – Panasonic Vietnam has held the awarding ceremony for the Kid Witness News program with participation of more than 300 students, parents, and teachers. The awarding ceremony honored 27 films of two seasons KWN 2021 and KWN 2022, 07 of which were awarded as Top prizes. Also, two teams with the best movies will participate in the online KWN Global Summit, to compete with top KWN filmmakers around the world at the end of this year.

Mr. Marukawa Yoichi, General Director of Panasonic Vietnam shared: “The year 2022 is truly very special to us. First, we can resume KWN program after a long time of pandemic interruption, even though challenges of 2021 pandemic helped us to come up with initiatives to conduct our film-making program online with various activities for the first time. Second, it is also the first year of our next 50 year journey with strong commitment for WELLNESS in Vietnam. In line with this vision, we have introduced the new Panasonic Sustainable school program, and KWN is a part of this program with new scope and new activities.”

Talking about the result of this year program, he also shared: “I was really impressed by the way children told their stories with deep care about environment, families, friends, and various matters they observe. Throughout the film making journey, we hope kids can develop a deeper understanding of what matters the most to them and the society; and will be inspired to take initiatives for a better future.”

Mr Marukawa Yoichi – General Director of Panasonic Vietnam gave the trophies to
best teams of KWN 2021 & KWN 2022

Students performed Japanese dance at the awarding ceremony

In 2022, the program has been implemented with many exciting and meaningful learning opportunities with direct experience to participating students, such as soft-skill trainings, environment class, field trips, team-building, film review activities, etc. Besides, for the first time the program was expanded to local schools in Dong Anh district as a part of Panasonic for Sustainable School program.

The program has brought interesting and memorable experiences to hundreds of students

For KWN 2022 season, the film entitled “If only my father did not smoke” of “Viet Bamboo” team has been honored with first prize in the 10 to 12 year old category. It is a story of a kid spending a lot of efforts to help his family and other people realize the harmfulness of smoking.

The first prize for 13 to 18 year old students belongs to the film “Dejavu” made by students group from Dong Anh districts. It was an interesting and bright story about a kid who was used to throwing garbage around, but finally changed to care more about environment protection from smallest action.

The two winning teams will have the opportunity to exchange their movies with other teams around the world at the KWN Global summit event held online around end of this year.

The best movies will participate in the online KWN Global Summit

Nguyen Danh Khai, students from Viet Bamboo team, Dich Vong Hau secondary school shared his/her experience: “It was so much fun and exciting summer, especially when I could participate the program with my friends. We learned a lot, and would never know that we are able to make an entire film, from the start with our ideas to the final cinematic products. During the journey with KWN, getting to know how to use the professional camera was probably my favorite thing. So, I registered the camera man position of the group.”

The young film maker shared about the interesting experience when participating in the program

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Van, the famous film director of Vietnam, a member of the jury board shared: “With more than 20 films produced this year and last year with impact of Covid19, I see it was a great effort of the children and the organizers. I hope this program will continue to be implemented every year as it is a great opportunity for children to learn about cinematography in a professional way. And we could really hope that among hundreds of children participating in the program, there will be talented film-director, film producers .. in the future with these very meaningful first steps.”

Famous director Nguyen Thanh Van member of the jury, was really impressed by the way children told their stories

27 films produced this year and last year with impact of Covid19 shows a great effort of the children and the organizers

About KWN:

First held in the US in 1989, the KWN program has been implemented in Vietnam since 2006 with the aims of creating a creative and exciting playground for students, where they can enrich their knowledge about environmental and social issues, as well as develop their soft skills throug the filmmaking journey. Up to now, nearly 3000 thousand students have produced nearly 150 videos by joining in KWN in Vietnam. The top films have been sent to attend the KWN Global summit 14 times.

The expansion of KWN for the first time in 2022 to outside of Hanoi, is carried out as a part of “Panasonic for Sustainable Schools” program which includes: STEM and STEAM Education, Environmental class, and the KWN Filmmaking Program. The "Panasonic for Sustainable Schools" is the evolution and inheritance of Panasonic Risupia Center Vietnam, with the new direction and approach, by shifting from Facility-base to Online and On-site base activities.