AWARDS: Kara David, I-Witness receive UNICEF prize in Korea

GMA Network television host Kara David and her "I-Witness" team received the prestigious UNICEF Child Rights Award this week at the Asia Broadcasting Union awards ceremony in Seoul, Korea for the documentary "Alkansya."

GMA News TV will show the“Alkansya” I-Witness documentary in a special, primetime airing on October 27, Saturday, at 10:00 p.m. on Channel 11.  

David’s “Alkansya” stood out from over 40 entries from the Asia and Pacific region as the besttelevision documentary on children’s rights. 

“Alkansya” tells the story of Anthony, a 12-year old boy from Eastern Samar who has to dive for sea cucumbers everyday. 

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FESTIVALS / ARTICLES: Youth festival urges teens to express creativity (KOREA)

By Lee Hyo-won - Staff reporter

When Kim Jong-hyun, a 48-year-old teacher at YoungPa Girls' Middle School in Pungnam-dong, was a teenager, he used to sneak into R-rated films wearing his father's suit. He would also take part in poetry readings while dreaming of becoming a man of letters.

What concerns Kim is the local education system's lack of concentration on fostering children's imagination and providing an outlet through which they can channel their interests and talent creatively.

The Korean zeal for education is almost notorious - local teenagers' lives are often dictated by the singular goal of entering a brand-name university. "College entrance exams are really important but it's also important to allow children to explore their dreams and desires," Kim told The Korea Times in Seoul, Monday.

And so he launched a filmmaking camp for kids, which has grown into an international youth film festival. The Seoul International Youth Film Festival (SIYFF), one of a handful of domestic film events to be supported by the state, opens its 12th edition from July 5 to 14 in downtown Seoul. What began as a showcase of 77 films from 10 countries now has 134 works from 39 countries.

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EVENTS: Seoul International Youth Film Festival (SIYFF)

Seoul International Youth Film Festival (SIYFF)

SIYFF is the biggest youth film festival in Asia and is on the lookout for talented filmmakers to present their potentials at 11th Seoul Youth International Film Festival, taking place from 9 to 15 July 2009. For shorts competition entry, we are looking for

1. Youth works produced by age between 13 to 18 and

2. Shorts section related to the themes of children, teenagers, and family made by those aged 19 and over.

SIYFF is looking for films or documentaries which were produced recent year of 2008 or 09 by youth.

Also, there is Youth Film Camp workshop, which teenagers(13-18) from abroad can participate and make their own film.

It has been passionate for youth filmmakers to have great opportunities to promote their films in Korea. Wish you could share different cinematic visions with global film communities of SIYFF.