November 21, Tokyo: The Awards Ceremony for the 51st edition of the Japan Prize was held on the final day of the Japan Prize Festival in Tokyo. The Japan Prize is an international competition that is organized by NHK and it recognizes outstanding works that expand the possibilities of education through media. The Grand Prix Japan Prize was selected and presented to the most outstanding work among the four winning works of each division. The winners of each division have been announced prior to the festival. Also announced at the Awards Ceremony this day were the two winners of the Proposal Pitch which is an initiative that supports the realization of ideas for educational programs in countries and regions with limited budgets and technical facilities.
- The Grand Prix Japan Prize -
Title : Can I Hug You?
Country/Region : United Kingdom, Iran, Germany
Producing Organization(s) : Jumping Ibex Deutsche Welle
Length : 30’05”
Genre : Documentary
Synopsis :
In the religious city of Qom in Iran, women face restrictions imposed in the name of sexual safety. Hossein grew up in this environment, but as a young boy, he became a victim of rape and sexual abuse by men. He was left to carry this secret into adulthood. Now, with the support of his wife Elahe, he is finally confronting his trauma.
- Proposal Pitch Award for the Best Proposal -
Title : Matata & Friends on Safari
Country/Region : Kenya
Producing Organization(s) : Buni Media Ltd
Presenter : Ross Franks
Synopsis :
An entertaining and informative TV series using puppetry, 2D animation and live action. Matata, a puppet wildlife ranger, and 2 hosts visit wildlife and talks directly to puppet animals and other creatures, letting them explain how their lives are. It tells the effects of climate change and how children can take part in fighting against climate change on the environment.
- Award for Outstanding Proposal -
Title : INTO THE LIGHT
Country/Region : South Sudan
Producing Organization(s) : South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation
Presenter : Leila Osman Khamis
Synopsis :
This documentary focuses on a man who got blind during then-Sudan’s long civil war. It shows different aspects of issues facing people with disabilities and how they are wrestling with the problem. We hope to show that people with physical impairment are useful members of the society and that they deserve to enjoy full participation as equal members of the society.
- The Winners in Each Division -
Award for the Best Work in the Pre-school Division
Title : The Fantus Show It is raining
Country/Region : Norway
Producing Organization(s) : Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK)
Length : 12’21”
Genre : Animation
Synopsis :
A series for toddlers. Actual kids play with the popular character Fantus and explore a new universe on land and at sea, meeting different toys and objects that come to life through animation. In this episode, Fantus meets a sleeping bear and plays the “Bear is Sleeping” game with a toddler, discovers a clapping bucket and singing eggs, etc. Join us on a playful, musical journey!
- Award of Honor in the Pre-school Division -
Title : I Love 'Mee' That Felt Kinda Weird...?
Country/Region : Japan
Producing Organization(s) : NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) NHK Educational Corporation
Length : 10’00”
Genre : Animation
Synopsis :
This innovative TV series both educates and entertains parents and children, employing the latest insights in comprehensive sexuality education. This episode addresses the issues of grooming and child sexual abuse, aiming to provide children with essential wisdom to help them avoid victimization. It teaches children that subtle psychological or physiological discomfort can serve as a crucial “Inner alarm” for protecting themselves.
- Award for the Best Work in the Primary Division -
Title : Death to the Bikini!
Country/Region : Canada
Producing Organization(s) : Colonelle films
Length : 16’00”
Genre : Drama
Synopsis :
Lili, a feisty 10-year-old girl, has always swam topless. When her parents force her to wear a bikini top for a trip to the water park, she rebels: why should she hide her flat chest when her friends, all boys, don’t have to? The film addresses self-awareness and identity construction through stereotypes, self-view and body changes.
Award of Honor in the Primary Division
Title : We want to say La Quiaca
Country/Region : Argentina
Producing Organization(s) : Pakapaka
Length : 28’00”
Genre : Documentary
Synopsis :
Juana Passeri, a young rapper, travels to various communities in different regions of Argentina, conducting rap workshops. The series aims to inspire children to tell their stories through music. In this episode, Juana visits La Quiaca, a city bordering Bolivia, where she works with children of native and migrant families to write a rap song that reflects their shared cultural backgrounds.
- Award for the Best Work in the Youth Division -
Title : Kabul Beauty
Country/Region : France
Producing Organization(s) : Kraken Films LCP-Assemblée Nationale
Length : 51’03”
Genre : Documentary
Synopsis :
Sofia and Nigina are proud, beautiful Afghans and best friends. Behind the curtains of their beauty salon, they struggle to protect their last space of freedom. With the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, the repression intensifies, leading the women to plan their escape. By summer 2023, many beauty salons in Kabul were forced to close.
- Award of Honor in the Youth Division -
Title : Lou
Country/Region : Canada
Producing Organization(s) : Les pieds en haut UNLTD
Length : 27’26”
Genre : Digital Media: VR
Synopsis :
There are as many ways to be autistic as there are autistic people. This VR lets people experience what it is like to be in the world of an autistic child named Lou, seeing and hearing through his perspective. Lou is a character inspired by the real-life experiences of our children and other autistic people who have shared their stories with us.
- Award for the Best Work in the Lifelong Learning Division -
Title : Can I Hug You?
Country/Region : United Kingdom, Iran, Germany
Producing Organization(s) : Jumping Ibex Deutsche Welle
Length : 30’05”
Genre : Documentary
Synopsis :
In the religious city of Qom in Iran, women face restrictions imposed in the name of sexual safety. Hossein grew up in this environment, but as a young boy, he became a victim of rape and sexual abuse by men. He was left to carry this secret into adulthood. Now, with the support of his wife Elahe, he is finally confronting his trauma.
- Award of Honor in the Lifelong Learning Division -
Title : Letter to San Zaw Htway
Country/Region : Netherlands
Producing Organization(s) : ZIN Documentaire
Length : 14’33”
Genre : Documentary
Synopsis :
San Zaw Htway was an artist, activist, political prisoner, and dear friend. After the 2021 Myanmar military coup, the filmmakers asked San Zaw Htway's loved ones, some of whom are hiding or in the resistance, to write to him, as an act of remembrance, and to seek solace and hope in the midst of the brutal military crackdown. This film is composed of their words.
- Special Prize -
An excellent work that fosters empathy and understanding for children who are facing difficulties in various cultural and social backgrounds.
Title： A New Kind of Wilderness
Country/Region : Norway
Producing Organization(s) : A5 Film
Length : 56’03”
Genre : Documentary
Synopsis :
On a small farm surrounded by fir forest lives a family that has made an unconventional choice—Maria and Nik and their four children grow their own food, are homeschooled. They live out their dream of a free and independent life close to each other and nature. But then tragedy strikes them, and the world they know is turned upside down.
■ What is the Japan Prize?
The Japan Prize is an international competition dedicated to educational content. Since its establishment in 1965, the competition has continued to enhance the quality of educational content around the world and has contributed to the promotion of international understanding. This year marks its 51st edition.
This year’s competition received 423 entries and proposals, the largest in Japan Prize history, from 59 countries and regions. The awards for each division and the Grand Prix were judged by 12 producers and media professionals representing 12 countries and regions.
During the Japan Prize Festival week, screenings of the award-winning works were held, followed by discussions with the winners of these works on the role of educational media.
■ Japan Prize Festival Site
All award-winning works, finalist works, and talk sessions are available for on-demand streaming to those who register. Works will be available until Dec.1st!
https://vcube.touchcast.com/showtime/jp-prize2024/join
https://www.nhk.or.jp/jp-prize/english/
Contacts
NHK PR Department (s02201-nhkpr@nhk.or.jp)
