The highly anticipated Kid Witness News (KWN) Global Summit 2023 – organised by Panasonic Corporation – was a resounding success at its recent conclusion.

The summit was conducted from the Japanese capital Tokyo, with around 150 students from eight schools across nine countries around the globe joining online.

Students from Pannasastra International School (PSIS) and Singapore Cambodia International Academy (SCIA) joined the competition for the very first time this year to represent Cambodia.

KWN is part of Panasonic’s next-generation development support activities, in which Panasonic lends professional video equipment to support filmmaking by school students.

Participants from all nine countries showcased their creativity and vision through a diverse range of films, highlighting compelling stories and critical issues affecting our communities and the world that relate to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

This year, the Cambodian students made their films using Panasonic Lumix SI cameras, which allowed them to achieve the highest possible quality in their projects.

Beyond providing equipment, Panasonic also gave students brief training sessions to acquaint them with the fundamentals of filmmaking, such as camera operation, scripting and lighting.

Yasunobu Matsumoto – the Country Head of Panasonic Cambodia who spoke during the pre-summit awards – expressed his deep appreciation for the participation of Cambodian students.

"I would like to express my deepest appreciation to students from Singapore Cambodia International Academy and Pannasastra International School for your active participation and valuable contributions to this year's summit.

"Through your hard work and creative expressions, you have empowered us all to think critically about various global issues, sparking conversations and igniting change," Matsumoto said.

The summit served as more than just a platform for young filmmakers to demonstrate their creative prowess – it also encouraged them to engage with critical issues affecting both their communities and the world at large.

Notably, all films submitted to the KWN competition this year had themes aligned with UN SDGs, which allowed the students to deepen their understanding of important global issues while exercising their creativity in filmmaking.

The student representative from Cambodia shared their gratitude towards Panasonic for the incredible opportunity provided.

"We are extremely thankful to Panasonic for organising such a large-scale competition, one that has allowed young students from Cambodia to showcase our storytelling skills and our passion for film.

"It is a big step for us to be involved in conversations about pressing global issues," the representative said.

The KWN Global Summit 2023 signifies Panasonic's commitment to nurturing the creative aspirations of young filmmakers worldwide.

The summit's success has paved the way for future iterations, with organisers already preparing for the next edition.

The event aims to continue promoting the invaluable art of visual storytelling and empowering many more young storytellers to make a difference in the world.

About Kid Witness News Global

Kid Witness News Global is a global programme organised by Panasonic Corporation, one dedicated to empowering young storytellers and promoting media literacy.

Through workshops, film screenings and international events, Kid Witness News Global provides a platform for young filmmakers to showcase their creativity, foster global connections and make a positive impact through their storytelling abilities.

For more information, please visit: KWN Global Summit 2023 - Kid Witness News - Corporate Citizenship Activities - Sustainability - Panasonic Holdings.