This is an annual contest organised by the Japanese Embassy in coordination with the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Ministry of Education and Training since 2007. The theme of the contest is “When you feel happy” and each entry must not exceed 3 minutes.
“Giving wings” is the contest entry by a group of 8th graders from Phan Chu Trinh Junior High School. The film tells the story of a newspaper boy meeting a paralysed girl by chance in the zoo. Seeing the desire in her eyes as she watches the birds fly, the boy decides to carry her on his back and run around. With a gentle but deep message, “Giving wings” has surpassed 31 other entries to win the first prize in the 9th Student Film Contest.
In most contest entries, the students chose to tell their stories using images and music to convey emotion rather than dialogue and commentary. The content of the films is also simple. For the young students, “happiness” is simply living with family, playing with friends, and helping other people around them.
The top 3 contestants will represent Vietnam in the International Film Contest for Asian Children held in Japan this November./.
