IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

  • Online submissions only (via google form)
  • Please carefully read the instructions on how to apply.
  • Please read this briefer first before asking questions.

Through the National Youth Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Japan (MOFA-Japan) will organize the JENESYS 2023 ASEAN-Japan Art Exchange (Attending the 16th Asian International Children’s Festival)

The Japan  East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) is a people to People exchange program and the Asia-Pacific Region launched by the Japanese Government.

The Program aims at promoting mutual trust and understanding among the peoples of Japan and the Philippines and building a basis for future friendship and cooperation. It also encourages an understanding of Japan’s economy, society, history, diverse culture, politics and diplomatic relations.

Now on its 16th year, the Asian International Children’s Film Festival was launched to promote friendship and goodwill among Asian youths through filmmaking. Under this event, young filmmakers from various parts of the Asia are invited to Japan for a competition and days of cultural exchange activities that culminate in an awarding ceremony for winning film entries.

This year, the film festival is focusing on the theme “What I Want”.  Participants are free to let their creativity show through different styles and genres, provided that they focus on the festival’s designated theme.

The Asian International Children’s Film Festival is a 3-minute short film competition for children. The environment that surrounds children in recent years has various problems such as youth crime, bullies, the delinquency, and NEET. This film festival was founded on the desire to give a dream and hope even a little bit to children living in such an age.

The top three finalists from the Philippines composed 9 Filipino Senior High School youth delegates will be sent to Japan to compete in the international leg of the contest. All expenses will be borne by the Government of Japan through the JENESYS2023 Programme. The JENESYS Programme was launched to strengthen international relations among the youths of Southeast Asia and Japan by facilitating various cultural and academic events.

The program will be held on October 10, 2023 (online Pre-Exchange program) and December 12-19,  2023 in Tokyo and  Hyogo, Japan.

Qualifications for Youth Delegates

  • First time traveler to Japan
  • Fully vaccinated (with 1st and 2nd dose with at least 1 booster shot) FILIPINO citizen currently residing in the   Philippines.
  • 15-18   years old, single (for students)
  • Must be officially enrolled in any Philippine-based High School (for students)
  • has a good command of written and spoken English.
  • Physical fit
  • With valid Philippine passport July 1, 2024.
  • With PSA-issued birth certificate
  • Must be able to attend & 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 to comply with post-program activities

Requirements:

  • Fill up the NYC International Programs’ Online Application Form via google form completely and accurately (avoid duplicate application)
  • Scanned copy of passports valid July 1, 2024 (upload via google form)
  • Scanned copy of PSA-issued birth certificate (upload via google form)
  • Updated Curriculum Vitae (upload via google form)
  • Certification from school  (with  school seal) that applicant is officially enrolled (for students)
  • With PSA-issued birth certificate
  • Vaccination card issued by the Department of Health with QR code

Expenses:

  • The Organizer will shoulder the accommodation, local transportation, travel insurance and roundtrip economy airfare.
  • Delegates will shoulder their travel expenses from their residence (province) to NAIA and back, as well as their accommodation in Quezon City for the pre-departure briefing in NYC Central Office and other personal expenses that may incur during the travel.

The following are automatically disqualified:

  • Those who have Japanese nationality.
  • Applicants who have been to Japan.
  • Applicants who have participated in programs funded by the Japanese government.
  • Participants of NYC-coordinated international programs from December 12, 2018 until the present whose airfare, accommodation, and meals were paid for by the organizer;
  • Participants of NYC-coordinated international programs December 12, 2021 until the present whose airfare was shouldered by the participants and whose accommodation and meals were paid for by the organizer;
  • NYC International Programs Beneficiaries who have not completed their volunteer work hours.
  • Previous NYC International Programs Beneficiaries who have not submitted or accomplished the required post-program obligations or volunteer work.
  • Incomplete requirements; follow up requirements would not be entertained after the deadline.

How to apply:

  • ONLINE APPLICATIONS ONLY (via google form)
  • Do not submit multiple forms. Please review your entries before submitting the form.
  • Applicants are advised to strictly follow the instructions for submission.

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES/ GUIDELINES:

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

The contest is open to all Filipino high school students (grades 10-12) in the country, except those who have been to Japan under previous JENESYS Programs and/or Asian International Children’s Film Festivals. Students may submit their entries as a group provided that each group will compose of maximum of three (3) people per group.

The NYC will be nominating 3 groups (compose of 3 Filipino High School Youth Delegates per group) to the attend the event as national finalists.

Students must have a PHILIPPINE passport with at least six (6) months of validity prior to joining the contest or must be valid until July 10, 2024.

ENTRIES, FORMAT, AND LENGTH:

  • To enter the Contest, you must submit a video focusing on the theme:  “What I Want”

In terms of making a film, children should handle all the things from writing a scenario to editing without any help from “grown-ups” as much as possible, so that we expect that children will learn teamwork and the sense of responsibility and also, they will get mental development. Moreover, the satisfaction of completing a film work gives children a massive confidence. We would like children to start with asking themselves deeply what they really want to express over and over before they shoot a film. If they do that, a camera must mirror their true mind.

The program will be held on October 10, 2023 (online Pre-Exchange program) and  December 12-19,  2023 in Tokyo and  Hyogo, Japan.

  • The duration of the video must not exceed THREE (3) MINUTES in total. Videos longer than 3 minutes will automatically be disqualified.
  • Submissions can be in any style or genre, but not limited to, drama, narrative, comedy, or documentary.
  • Each group can only submit one (1) entry.
  • Entries must be submitted in standard video in mp4 format.
  • Participant/s must submit a copy of the script for their film entry. The script must be typewritten and written in (or translated to) English.
  • Participant/s must submit three (3) copies of their entries, all properly labelled.
  • Only students may be involved in each step of making the video entry (from pre-production to post-production). Entries found to be produced with the assistance of adults may be disqualified from the contest.
  • All applicants are required to accomplish the International Programs google application form through this link together with the necessary documents/ requirements before submitting the film entry via google/ courier or hand-carry.
  • Each submission must be original and created entirely by the participant/s, from pre-production to post-production of the video. Submissions must not include anything that violates any law or the copyright of any third party, including the use of music.  Entrants are advised to remove or obscure labels/brand names from any commercial products used in their videos. The Organizers may, at its discretion, disqualify any submission it believes incorporates materials without permission from the owners or are not otherwise in the public domain. Likewise, the Embassy of Japan will not provide any editing tools or assistance to participants.
  • Entries and other pertinent documents will not be returned.
  • Entries may be in English or Filipino, but text or subtitles must be avoided. Note that adding subtitles will automatically lead to point deductions.
  • By submitting an entry, you agree to let the Organizers use it for future promotion, marketing, and publication purposes.

SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES:

Entries may be delivered via courier or hand-delivered to: National Youth Commission

National Youth Commission

3rd Floor West Insula Building, 135 West Avenue, Quezon City

Properly label your USB Flash Drive/s with your name/s, title of the video, and contact number/s.

NEW DEADLINE:

The deadline of submission of video entries and other requirements is on or before September 15, 2023, 11:59 PM.

JUDGING CRITERIA

A panel of judges, hereafter referred to as the Screening Committee, will determine the award winners based on proper interpretation and understanding of the theme or topic, the clear expression of ideas, production values, originality, and creativity.

The Screening Committee will evaluate each entry and rate it based on the following: 

  • Originality & Creativity                 30%
  • Impact                                              30%
  • Thematic Focus                              30%
  • Production Value                          10%

Selection of Entries

  • The Screening Committee will choose the Top 3 entries to compete in Japan for the Asian International Children’s Film Festival 2023. The initial decision of the judges regarding which entrants become finalists on the international competition shall be final and binding in all regards.
  • The Top 3 Finalists will be notified through phone call or e-mail by the National Youth Commission.
  • The Top 3 Finalists will be given an all-expense paid trip to Japan to compete in the Asian International Children’s Film Festival 2023.  Expenses for the entire trip, including air fare, accommodations, meals, and transportation in Japan, will be shouldered by the Government of Japan through the JENESYS2023 Program.

All forms pertaining to the contest must be duly accomplished and submitted along with the copies of the participants’ video entries. Please check the following list to make sure you have included all the necessary forms in your submissions.

Asian International Children’s Film Festival

Forms and Documents Checklist

  • Form I: Entry Form
  • Form II: Endorsement Letter from School
  • Form III: Parents’ Consent Form
  • Form IV: Student Agreement to Contest Terms and Conditions
  • Script of the Film
  • Passport copy

Inquiries:

Please send all queries to internationalprograms@nyc.gov.ph with subject heading ”JENESYS 2023 ASEAN-Japan Art Exchange (Attending the 16th Asian International Children’s Festival)”.

The NYC reserves the right not to respond to questions which answers are already stated in this briefer or in the online application form.

Do not send multiple applications.