Panasonic launches Kids Witness News programme in Vietnam

The launching ceremony of KWN2022

The KWN programme has been implemented by Panasonic for many years with the aim of creating a healthy and rewarding playground for students, especially during the summer, where they can enrich their knowledge about environmental and social issues, as well as develop their soft skills throughout the process of learning filmmaking.

The children have a chance to learn about filmmaking and the use of professional equipment. Panasonic wants to empower the future owners of the country with the opportunity to voice their views on social and global issues.

After 2 years of the pandemic, the KWN programme has managed to continue with some parts of the filmmaking training course converted online. In 2022, the 15^th season is back full of excitement and freshness.

For the first time, the films from the participating teams will be premiered at the KWN Film Festival at a professional cinema. In addition, many online and face-to-face skills training and exchange activities will be implemented in parallel to bring the most beneficial learning experience for the students.

Director and actor Dang Ngoc Dung – one of the programme's lecturers – said, “I have been with Panasonic's KWN programme for many years. KWN is a very meaningful educational programme because when children are empowered with the new tool of filmmaking, they have the opportunity to show many different perspectives in the purest and most humane way. Therefore, I am very happy to accompany them this season.”

KWN lecturer Dang Ngoc Dung sharing his perspectives about art with the students

Nguyen Binh Minh, leader of the Binh Minh filmmaking team from Dich Vong Hau Secondary School, has never participated in a professional filmmaking course before. That is one of the reasons why Minh and his team members want to participate in the programme.

"KWN helps me and my friends improve our communication skills and promotes creativeness when learning about cinema," said Minh.

KWN is a global filmmaking training programme organised by Panasonic for students between the ages of 10 and 18 and is implemented globally to provide a unique experience in professional filmmaking together with famous filmmakers and actors using professional filming equipment.

It creates opportunities for children to voice their own perspectives on environmental issues and sustainable development while developing soft skills such as creativity, communication skills, and teamwork.

First held in the US in 1989, the KWN programme has been implemented in Vietnam since 2006. 164 schools and more than 2800 students have participated and produced over 120 videos. The top films have been sent to attend the KWN Global summit 13 times.