Winners Announced for JAPAN PRIZE 2019

Press Release

TOKYO, November 8, 2019 – The winners of the JAPAN PRIZE 2019, an international contest for educational media, were announced today.

The Grand Prix JAPAN PRIZE went to Buddha in Africa (South Africa). The Awards Ceremony was held at NHK Broadcasting Center, Tokyo.

[The Grand Prix Japan Prize]

The Best Work in the Youth Division: The Minister of Foreign Affairs Prize Title: Buddha in Africa Country/Region: South Africa Sweden Organization: Thinking Strings Media Momento Film Duration: 53’30” Media: Film Content: In the southern countries of Africa, there are growing number of orphanages whose objective is to promote Buddhist culture. Set in one such orphanage in Malawi, the documentary follows a group of teenage students as they struggle to reconcile their African roots and Asian values in the process of forging their identities. The institution welcomes children from impoverished families and provides them with not just basic education but also instruction in Chinese language and martial arts. A student dreams of becoming a martial arts film star like Jet Li, but he soon comes to a crossroads: he is torn between the choice of returning to his home village to help his family or pursuing a life in the Chinese culture. The film offers a subtle exploration of the impact of soft power while depicting the inner dialogue of African youth as they confront questions of race, culture, and religion.

[The Best Work in Each Division]

< Pre-school Division: The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Prize >

Title: MUSIC IN THE BOX – Finding Sound Country/Region: Republic of Korea Organization: Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) Media: TV

< Primary Division: The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize >

Title: SUBMARINE MYSTERIES AT THE END OF THE WORLD Humpback whales Country/Region: Argentina Organization: Pakapaka, Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego Media: TV

< Youth Division: The Minister of Foreign Affairs Prize >

Title: Buddha in Africa Country/Region: South Africa Sweden Organization: Thinking Strings Media Momento Film Media: Film

< Lifelong Learning Division: The Governor of Tokyo Prize >

Title: HUMANITY 4.0 Country/Region: Republic of Korea Organization: Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) Media: TV

Title: Like ♡ Me Country/Region: Norway Organization: Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) Media: Website

< Proposal Division: The Hoso Bunka Foundation Prize >

The Proposal Division aims to encourage program producers with limited means of production and opportunity with a cash prize of U.S. $10,000. The best proposal was awarded The Hoso Bunka Foundation Prize which went to:

Title: Pumzi & Vuyo Country/Region: South Africa Organization: Pixcomm

< Proposal Division: The National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan Prize >

A trophy, a certificate, and U.S. $6,000 prize money are awarded to an excellent proposal for a TV program which will contribute to education in an entrant’s country/region and to the promotion of ESD (Education for Sustainable Development).

Title: Young African Farmers Country/Region: Kenya Organization: Mediaset Africa Communications (MAC)

[Special Prizes]

< The Japan Foundation President’s Prize >

Title: FACES - How I survived being bullied Country/Region: Japan Organization: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Media: Website

< The UNICEF Prize >

Title: A World of Boisterous Silence Country/Region: Japan Organization: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Media: TV

About the JAPAN PRIZE

The JAPAN PRIZE was established in 1965 with the purpose of improving educational programs worldwide while contributing to international understanding and cooperation. From 2008, the target for entries expanded from educational programs only to educational content using sound and images. The JAPAN PRIZE continues to develop as a unique international event solely focusing on both education and media. This year’s contest saw 288 entries and proposals from 54 countries and regions. The shortlisted works were judged by 12 producers and researchers representing 12 countries.

The JAPAN PRIZE Website: http://www.nhk.or.jp/jp-prize/english/

JAPAN PRIZE Related Programs (Broadcast Dates):

Domestic broadcast on ETV in December