PANASONIC ANNOUNCES THE GRAND AWARD WINNER OF THE KID WITNESS NEWS VIDEO EDUCATION PROGRAM NATIONAL CONTEST;
The Grand Award winner to represent Malaysia for Regional Contest in Kota Kinabalu and the winning video will be nominated for the KWN Global Contest
Kuala Lumpur, 3 November 2008 – Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd, announced the Grand Award Winner of the fourth Kid Witness News (KWN) National Contest in Kuala Lumpur at Golden Screen Cinema in Midvalley Megamall. This video education contest focused on the subjects of Ecology, Communication and Culture.
The entry from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Abu Bakar, Kuantan Pahang, titled “The Bullies and the Bullied” emerged as the Grand Winner. The video was selected unanimously by the judges from the twenty four finalist schools nationwide. The video produced by these young students portrayed the bullying culture in schools, demonstrating its harmfulness and addressing issues how one can help to stop bullying.
The primary message conveyed in the winning video is that bullying is a culture that should not be tolerated by everyone.
According to Normah Nordin, one of the panel of judges, “The video was truly informative and thought provoking and a portrayal of the current problems among youth which must be addressed seriously”.
Runners Up, Sekolah Rendah (J) Kebangsaan Cina Chung Hwa from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, tackled communication issues in society focusing on family through their video entitled “Quick To Listen, Slow To Speak”.
“This communication issues raised in the video are common problems between parents and children and also among siblings and friends that must be tackled and they also offer advice and alternatives to overcome the communication barrier or breakdown”, stated Azizah Wahid, Chairperson for the KWN panel of judges.
Sekolah Kebangsaan Perempuan Methodist Kuantan, Pahang walked away as Second Runners Up with their video, titled “What A Wonderful World”. The focus of the video was on environmental issues that human beings have made it complicated. The message is a gentle reminder to adults to help protect the environement for future generation.
“The issues raised in the video are to be taken seriously as it is a global dilemma. Youngsters are taking these issues quite seriously, as the message is very clear through the videos. Adults should take a moment to think about this as well” stated Azizah Wahid.
The top three awards were presented by YB Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaacob, Minister of Youth and Sports together with Director Division, Sports, Arts & Co-curicullum, Ministry of Education and Mr Tony Endoh, Managing Director of Panasonic Malaysia.
There were also six special awards handed out during the awards ceremony for Scriptwriting, Editing, Videography, Sound, Anchorperson and also Creativity.
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan USJ 12, Subang Jaya Selangor, won the Special Award for Scriptwriting with its video, entitled “Stop Talking! Act!”, a documentary on the effects of modern gadget over our lives.
The video titled “Mean What You Say” from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Perempuan Sri Aman, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, which was a documentary on cyber bullies which includes global statistics and interviews with cyber bully victims won the Special Award for Videography.
The Special Award for Editing went to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan USJ 13, Subang Jaya, Selangor with their video entry titled “Miscommunication”, a dramatic yet candid look at the consequences of failure to convey or understand messages correctly..
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Air Merah, Kulim, Kedah won the Special Award for Sound with their video entitled “Ulu Legong Hot Springs”. This video is a documentary on the tourist and healthy attraction of the hot springs in Ulu Legong.
The charm and charisma of the young man from Sekolah Kebangsaan Permatang, Teluk Intan, Perak left no doubt in the judges’ minds when they knew almost instantaneously that their video entry titled “Mobile Telecommunication Technology” deserved the Special Award for Anchorperson. He definitely grabbed the attention of all when presenting in their video the various equipment and processes involved in mobile telecommunication.
The Special Award in creativity went to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Ketereh, Kota Bharu, Kelantan with their incisive, unique and sometimes comic video entitled “Grandma’s Taboos”. It tells of some of the traditional don’ts that have passed down through generations and the possible explanations for them. All the judges agreed that it was an entertaining clip.
There were five members in the panel of judges, comprising of respected figures in the film and media industry such as renowned film makers and producers Othman Hafsham, artist and educationalist Normah Nordin, film and entertainment editor Suraya Al-Attas, S Mohan, President of Persatuan Perfileman Malaysia and Md Rashid Ahmad of TV3 as well as Azizah Wahid, Assistant General Manager of Corporate Communications and Branding for Panasonic Malaysia.
The nine winning teams and their videos were chosen from a total of sixty-one video entries that were shortlisted for the video judging. All the videos submitted were written, directed, filmed and edited by the students from throughout Malaysia participating in the KWN program.
Kid Witness News
The KWN education program started in 1988 when Panasonic North America provided primary and middle schools with a range of video equipment. The program aimed to give children an opportunity to express their perspectives on life by creating news videos.
KWN is designed to foster creativity and presentation skills among students. Supervising teachers cite further merits of the program such as heightened awareness of the environment and the community as well as development of team work skills among participants.
There are currently 609 schools in 24 countries participating in the program and more than 100,000 children have experienced the fun and challenge of video making. Participating countries comprise of the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom.
In 2004, an International Award was created for countries other than the United States as part of the KWN New Vision Awards Contest. 56 schools from 7 countries contended for the first International Award.
Beginning last year, the International Award division was eliminated and the contest itself becomes global. The United States will take part in the contest as one of the international contenders. Each participating country will hold a national level contest and the winning videos will be judged in the KWN Global Contest. A panel of international judges will nominate six videos for the final screening for the Grand Prize award.
About Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd is a sales, service and marketing company for the Panasonic brand of electrical and electronic products ranging from audio visuals, home appliances, air conditioners, digital and video cameras, professional broadcasting equipment, business systems, telecommunications, health and beauty care to batteries and lightings. All Panasonic products are available through our authorized dealers nationwide. For more information on Panasonic brand and products, visit our website at HYPERLINK http://www.panasonic.com.my www.panasonic.com.my or call our Customer Care Center at 03-5543 7600.
Media Contact:
Azizah Wahid
Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications & Branding
Tel: 03 7809 7876 Mobile: 019 217 2730
Email: azizah.wahid@my.panasonic.com