Are you a high schooler who's into filmmaking? Join the 16th AICFF and win a trip to Japan
If you're a high school student and have a passion for filmmaking and travel, we may have the perfect opportunity for you. The 16th Asian International Children’s Film Festival (AICFF) is inviting young filmmakers—who have never been to Japan—to send in their entries for the international competition happening in October.
In a social media post, the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, in cooperation with the National Youth Commission (NYC), announced the news and said that this would lead to an opportunity to win a free trip to Japan.
The AICFF was created to provide children with a positive outlet, despite the many negative influences, and to give them something to aspire to. It also aims to "promote friendship and goodwill among Asian youths through filmmaking."
Through this outlet, young filmmakers from all over Asia are invited to Japan to compete, network, and engage in cultural exchange activities.
The 2023 film festival is centered on the theme of "What I Want." Filmmakers are given the freedom to use any creative approach they want, but their films must all focus on this central idea.
To qualify, youth delegates must be 15-18 years old (for students), a first-time traveler to Japan, fully vaccinated, Filipino citizen who is currently residing in the Philippines, and must be officially enrolled in any Philippine-based high school.
Other qualifications include:
- Physically fit
- Has a good command of written and spoken English.
- Must be able to attend and participate during the whole duration of the program in Tokyo and other places in Japan.
- Must be able to attend the pre-departure orientation in NYC Central Office, Quezon City a day before scheduled departure.
- Must be willing to be an NYC volunteer and comply with post-program activities
- Scanned copy of passports valid until July 1, 2024
- Scanned copy of PSA-issued birth certificate
- Updated Curriculum Vitae
- Certification from school (with school seal) that the applicant is officially enrolled (for students)
- With PSA-issued birth certificate
- Vaccination card issued by the Department of Health (DOH) with QR code
The top three teams (composed of nine Filipino junior or senior high school youth delegates) from the Philippines will be sent to Japan to compete in the international leg of the contest.
The organizer will shoulder the accommodation, local transportation, travel insurance, and roundtrip economy airfare. Delegates, on the other hand, will shoulder their travel expenses from their residence to NAIA and back, as well as their accommodation in Quezon City for the pre-departure briefing in the NYC Central Office and other personal expenses that may be incurred during the travel.
The program will be held on Oct. 10, 2023 (online Pre-Exchange program) and Dec. 12-19, 2023 in Tokyo and Hyogo, Japan.
Interested applicants can also send their other queries to [email protected] with the subject heading: JENESYS 2023 ASEAN-Japan Art Exchange (Attending the 16th Asian International Children’s Festival) or may visit the National Youth Commission website for the full guidelines and mechanics.