The festival concluded with a festive award ceremony, during which the young international jury presented seven prizes—one for each of the seven categories. The awards went to winners from the United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, Iran, South Africa, and Serbia. The South African film The Passage received the award for best film in the “Violence” category and was also honored with the Audience Award. Meanwhile, the Serbian film by 18-year-old director Lazar Jovanović not only won in the “Youth Empowerment” category but also received the festival’s Golden Grand Prix.

Tamara Perković, jury member and president of Kinoklub Karlovac, explained why this particular film was chosen for the Grand Prix:

“The film Breaking Point by young author Lazar Jovanović carries an exceptionally powerful and timely message connected to current events in Serbia. The film provoked a chain of emotions in the audience, especially among those from the region who closely follow what is happening in neighboring Serbia. Choosing this film as the flagship of the festival is both a gesture of support and an effort to empower young people who persist together in the hope and idea of achieving something for their future. Compared to the other 27 competing films, Breaking Point fully embodied the festival’s mission—to raise awareness, encourage reflection, and inspire action. We congratulate the young author on his courage and persistence and wish him success in his further creative work.”

Alongside Tamara Perković, the jury included professor and graphic designer Ana Vine, Kino Edison program associate and Kinoklub Karlovac vice-president Ksenija Sanković, as well as festival organizers Antonio Britvar and Rebeka Čuljak.

In addition to screenings and the award ceremony, young jury members actively participated in the accompanying program, which featured workshops on documentary filmmaking and acting/working with actors in film, a panel discussion with representatives of Croatian NGOs addressing global issues, and a guest evening screening of the French film The Virgin by director Catherine Breillat.

The “Seven Issues Film Festival” is a traveling event, with its second edition set to take place next summer in the heart of France—Paris.

Official festival catalogue is available here: https://bit.ly/7IFF25book

The project was co-funded by the European Solidarity Corps of the European Union, the City of Karlovac, the Agency for Electronic Media, and Europe Direct Karlovac.

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Diplomats, filmmakers and advisors are participating at the 19th International Youth Media Summit (IYMS) taking place from July 21 to August 5, 2024. Delegates from 22 countries have gathered on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar to focus on the most important 7 world issues: Discrimination, Environment, Health, Poverty, Violence, Women’s Rights and Youth Empowerment.

This year’s theme, Karibu Nyumbani: Home Coming, specifically encourages delegates to create their films using the perspective of Africa as the cradle of humanity. The main partners of this year’s edition are local film festivals Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) and Zanzibar Youth Arts Festival (ZAYAF).

With the guidance of various experts in the fields of diplomacy and film, the young participants have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers and create seven short films. The lecturers are international and local experts, and the topics are closely related to film, media and diplomacy.

Over the past 19 years, more than 2,000 delegates from nearly 70 countries have participated in IYMS programs. So far, more than 150 short films have been created and have been shown around the world: at the United Nations, for international officials, in school and university classrooms, on festival screens, television programs and social networks and websites.

Chairperson of IYMS Advisory Board, Birgitta Olsson from Sweden, adressed the delegates at the opening of the Summit: “For 19 years, I have watched the Summit family grow and become big and strong. That family will continue to grow. The previous meetings are truly intergenerational events, and the idea of ​​IYMS is to let young voices sing”.

Gabriela Ramos, the Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, said at the Opening Ceremony: “UNESCO hears your voices and is ready to integrate them in our work with governments and other partners. This year’s theme is significant as we mark the final year of the UN International Decade for People of African Descent. The impact of this Summit will extend beyond as you return to your communities, using the knowledge gained to drive local change. You can count on UNESCO’s efforts to support your action”.

The 19th International Youth Media Summit is supported by UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, the Seubert family and Seagate Farm. More detailed information is available on the official IYMS website and Instagram and Facebook profiles.

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We have wonderful partners in Zanzibar. Our 2024 hosts are the good people who run the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) and the Zenj Arts Initiative Foundation (ZAIF).  ZIFF holds an annual film festival in Stone Town, and ZAIF uses films and other arts for its youth training programs. 

The location of the 2024 Summit was a closely guarded secret until the end of the IYMS 2023 Closing Ceremony. Anticipation was high when the lights went down and the IYMS 2024 Reveal video started! Watch it here.

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The agreement outlines the task ahead: “UNESCO and IYMS recognize that young people are change-makers, leaders, and knowledge-holders, and that, as such, are key to addressing systemic challenges that stand before present and future generations”.  The document also highlights our contributions: “IYMS possesses the expertise and appropriate capabilities to contribute to the enhancement of youth capacities and the mobilization of young people to tackle some of the world’s most challenging issues to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through media”. 

Mrs. Ramos ended her address by stating she was looking forward to learning from us.  Thank you, Mrs. Ramos! We are honored. 

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Director Ali grew up surrounded by the effects of violence and has made it his personal and artistic mission to see that other young people can be spared that trauma. He says, “JOHN is my attempt to understand what it takes for a human to take the life of another human being. Perhaps we can bring a change if we can understand it.” The film opened in Pakistan this past summer to rave reviews: “Brilliant cinematic style…immersive storytelling… Pakistani cinema taken to the next level!”  

The film had its first private American screening in La Crosse at the Rivoli Theatre during the IYMS 2023 Summit. The screening galvanized the audience and was followed by a fascinating Q&A with Director Ali.  IYMS Films then hosted a private screening for distributors’ reps in Hollywood. There was great enthusiasm and anticipation for the film’s future. JOHN is scheduled to appear at several film festivals in the coming months. 

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We are excited to share with you the incredible success of our recent event, The Youth Voice Contest. IYMS decided to host this fantastic online event to celebrate Youth Media Day, and we were blown away by the submissions we received from all over the world. Young and talented people shared their creativity through various mediums, including music, art, design, films, and poetry. 

We were incredibly fortunate to have Victoria Carrol Bell as our esteemed judge for the contest. Victoria is a well-known actress who has spent years working in theatre, film and television industries. When we asked her how she felt about judging the competition, she said, “Over all the years that I have been in Stage, Film, and Acting, I have never seen such talented young adults creating such breathtaking art forms that express their voice,” with a massive smile on her face! 

We couldn’t agree more with Victoria’s sentiments. The submissions we received were genuinely awe-inspiring, and we were thrilled to see so many young people using their voices to create meaningful and impactful art. The Youth Voice Contest proved once again that it doesn’t take much to create change – all you need is your voice! 

At IYMS, we believe that empowering young people is one of the most critical things we can do to change the world for the better. That’s why we were so thrilled to see so many young people from around the globe participating in our contest. It was heartwarming to see young people using their creativity to speak up about issues that matter to them, whether it be social justice, climate change, mental health or anything they might be passionate about. 

The competition was fierce, and we had a difficult time choosing the winners from so many talented young changemakers. However, after much deliberation, the winners whose voices resonated incredibly strong are as follows: 

• 1st Honour: Jasper Neupane and Rashmita Limbu 
• 2nd Honour: Rebs Fisher-Jackson 
• 3rd Honours: Joel Semwezi and Trang Mai Nguyen 

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Congratulations to all of our winners! It’s our pleasure to announce that we awarded a total prize pool of 1900 USD for IYMS 2023 scholarships to the winners of The Youth Voice Contest! We hope that this recognition will help to support these talented young individuals as they continue to create and inspire. 

Overall, The Youth Voice Contest was a resounding success, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for these talented young artists. We hope that their work will continue to inspire others to use their voices and make a difference in the world. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest, and a special thank you to Victoria Carrol Bell for her exceptional work as our judge and our dearest Angel donors that made this contest happen! As for you, dear changemakers, keep creating, keep inspiring, and keep using your voices to make the world a better place! 

See you soon in Wisconsin, USA! 

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A post shared by Rebs Fisher-Jackson (@rebsinfilm)

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A post shared by Joel Semwezi PK (@semwezijoel)

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Everyone between the ages of 16 and 26 interested in media and social change is eligible to apply as a diplomat or a filmmaker. Filmmakers, diplomats and educators over 26 years of age are encouraged to apply as advisors.

IYMS will select up to 100 of the brightest minds in filmmaking and youth diplomacy to discuss the issues and explore youth-focused media production and consumption. These delegates will live and work at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, our host organization. 

Selected participants will learn how to tell their stories in effective ways by making short films with a strong and powerful message, working in one of seven issue groups: Discrimination, Environment, Health, Poverty, Violence, Women’s Rights and Youth Empowerment. The filmmaking aspect will be combined with awareness of the 7 Issues as well as Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, IYMS offers a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities. Participants will have the chance to network with other like-minded individuals and experts from across the globe, creating lasting relationships. At the end of the event, their work will be showcased at a public screening.  

Find out more about the event and check out the application form by visiting https://www.iyms.org/18th-iyms/ 

Over the past 17 years, 1,600 changemakers from over 70 countries have joined IYMS to create 120 films with one common goal: to shine a light on the most urgent global issues and prepare youth from around the world to take action.

Organizing the 18th IYMS is Teen International Media Exchange (TIME), a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization helping young people from different countries bridge cultural, ethnic and religious divides by collaborating on film projects.  For the 18th IYMS, they have partnered with UNESCO, Youth Cinema Network, Region Halland from Sweden, the Croatian Film Association and Fondazione Malagutti Onlus from Italy to bring together 100 delegates with immense talents and determination to produce compelling films.

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A Fearless Future: Advancing Boldly in the Face of Uncertainty

A new generation of filmmakers, storytellers and digital creators from around the globe will come together to explore the future of youth and media at the 18th Summit in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA from July 24 to August 6, 2023. During this 14-day event they will discover how their generation can shine the light on the most urgent global issues and advance boldly toward powerful solutions. 

IYMS will select 100 of the brightest minds in filmmaking and youth diplomacy to discuss the issues and explore youth-focused media production and consumption. These delegates will live and work at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, our host organization. Applications for the event are now open and will be accepted until January 8th, 2023.

If you’re between the ages of 16 and 26 and interested in media and social change, we encourage you to apply as a diplomat or a filmmaker. We also welcome filmmakers, diplomats and educators over 26 years of age to apply as advisors.

The Summit is a unique opportunity and a creative place for young people to gain valuable experience in storytelling while having their voices heard on a global stage. Find out more about the event and check out the application form by visiting https://www.iyms.org/18th-iyms/ 

Participants will learn how to tell their stories in effective ways by making short films with a strong and powerful message, working in one of seven issue groups: Discrimination, Environment, Health, Poverty, Violence, Women’s Rights and Youth Empowerment. The filmmaking aspect will be combined with awareness of the 7 Issues as well as Sustainable Development Goals. In addition,, IYMS offers a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities. Participants will have the chance to network with other like-minded individuals and experts from across the globe, creating lasting relationships. At the end of the event, their work will be showcased at a public screening.  

Over the past 17 years, 1,600 changemakers from over 70 countries have joined IYMS to create 120 films with one common goal: to shine a light on the most urgent global issues and prepare youth from around the world to take action.

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On March 9th, young diplomats, filmmakers, advisors and media educators from all around the world will come together to mark International Youth Media Day (IYMD) under the theme “Faces of Courage“. This special day is an annual celebration of art and impactful media usage by young people around the globe, celebrating art forms from photography, painting and poetry to film screenings, theatrical and musical performances.

This year’s IYMD events will span an entire week to connect hundreds of changemakers around the world virtually. These events aim to elevate the voices of youth and demonstrate the importance of utilizing multimedia for local, national and international betterment. Being aware of the current international crisis, IYMS wants to amplify the significance of true information and how it can be shared and presented through a digital space. By emphasizing the importance of media literacy internationally, young people get to know other cultures, make new acquaintances and participate in programs that will inspire them to continue creating and communicating. Despite the global pandemic and recent events, young people can use their knowledge and skillsets to share with their peers meaningful and long-lasting understanding regarding the most pressing global issues.

This is in line with the core values of IYMS, and one of its main beliefs: that nobody can tackle and solve the most challenging issues alone. That’s why IYMS works with young people to push boundaries and break barriers, fueled by the power of media, coming together to make an impact on the world. Cooperation in diplomacy and filmmaking may be essential, but accomplishing that as a joint effort in IYMS is something even more special.

This year’s IYMD is especially exciting for IYMS as they announce this summer’s physically-held main event after hosting it for two years in a virtual manner. The 17th International Youth Media Summit will be held in Falkenberg, Sweden from July 27 to August 7, 2022, where more than 70 delegates from all around the world will meet to work on new short films. The event will be organized by Kultur i Halland – Film, Region Halland. At the end of the Summit, the young delegates from more than 20 different countries will screen their short films about the 7 major global issues.

The President of IYMS, Evelyn Seubert said, “This year’s theme, ‘Faces of Courage’, is very timely. With recent events, we have seen the importance of individuals standing up for humanity. We encourage all youth to find ways, big and small, to act with courage; and join with us to create the model for a courageous, cooperative world community.”

IYMS invites young people from all around the world to apply and participate in the event this summer: https://iyms.org/17th-iyms/. Applications are now live and open until April 1st, 2022. The event has limited capacity, so make sure to apply on time!

You can join the celebration of the 4th IYMD on March 9th by responding to Instagram stories and writing your own posts with #IYMD2022. Also, make sure to keep up with IYMS’s social media to see how youth across the globe mark this special day.

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