The ceremony was enlivened by performances from the Sweet 13 choir group of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seksyen 13, Shah Alam and the PERMATA Seni Tari dance troupe from the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN).
Malaysia made history by hosting the 4th Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children, an inspiring event that brought together young creative talents from 10 ASEAN nations. The festival, held at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Center in Petaling Jaya, culminated in a vibrant awards ceremony officiated by Deputy Minister of Communications, Teo Nie Ching.
A landmark occasion for Malaysia, the festival marked the nation’s growing role as a regional leader in fostering creativity and collaboration, setting the tone ahead of its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025. It showcased exceptional content created for, by, and about children, offering a platform for emerging voices to share their perspectives and celebrate the rich diversity of Southeast Asia.
In her keynote address, Teo stated, “As Malaysia prepares to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, this is a chance for us to highlight what makes Southeast Asia so special—our rich diversity, our cultures, our shared values. This festival is not just a celebration of creativity; it is an arena that showcases the potential of our youth to inspire change and unity through their narratives.”
Deputy Minister of Communications, Teo Nie Ching called for young content creators to create with purpose.
Teo also called for young content creators to let purpose guide their creations, “Create with purpose. Think about the impact your stories can have. It is not always about the views or the likes. It is also about the lasting impression your stories will leave.”
“Your content has the power to shape how other children see the world—what they learn, how they treat others, and what values they carry with them as they grow up alongside you,” she added.
The ceremony featured a parade of colors representing the flags of Southeast Asian nations, captivating performances by the Sweet 13 Choir and PERMATA Seni Tari, and the much-anticipated Heart Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions to children’s storytelling, underscoring the importance of quality content in shaping young minds.
Meanwhile, founding chairperson and convenor of the SEAVFC, Elvira Yap Go was impressed with the quality of contents produced by this year’s contestants, “The incredible talent and stories showcased at this year’s festival reaffirm our belief in the power of young voices to inspire change. As the festival draws to a close, we carry forward a renewed sense of hope and unity, knowing that these young creators will continue to shape a brighter, more connected Southeast Asia.”
Les’ Copaque grabbed two awards, Heart Award (Professional Category) and Professional (Fiction) in Content for 8-12 Years Old at the SEAVFC Awards Night. Founder and managing director, Haji Burhanuddin Md Radzi was present to receive the award.
Festival director, Dato’ Mahyidin Mustakim was optimistic on the role of contents made for, by, and about children play in connecting cultures and stimulate discourse, by saying, “This festival has been a testament to the extraordinary potential of our young creators as well as the potential of children’s contents to bridge cultures and spark meaningful conversations. As we conclude this remarkable journey, I am filled with pride and optimism, knowing that the stories shared here will continue to resonate and inspire across the region.”
In a symbolic moment of unity, the festival concluded with the handover of hosting duties to Thailand, which will host the 5th Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children. This gesture highlighted the collaborative spirit of ASEAN and the shared vision of fostering cross-cultural understanding through creative storytelling.
The Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children stands as a powerful reminder of the transformative role of media in shaping a more inclusive and empathetic society. By giving young storytellers a voice, the festival not only celebrates their talent but also paves the way for a brighter, more connected future across the region.
LIST OF 4TH SEAVFC WINNERS
- Professional (Fiction) 7 Years Old & Under – Fox Tales, Bear With Me (Singapore)
- Professional (Fiction) 8-12 Years Old – Upin & Ipin: Our Friend Susanti (Malaysia)
- Professional (Fiction) 13-17 Years Old – Tayan Tutu Anakku Satu (Indonesia)
- Professional (Non-Fiction) 7 Years Old & Under – Fun Nam Nom Club: Little Watcher (Thailand)
- Professional (Fiction) 8-12 Years Old – Poupai The Mahout Girl (Thailand)
- Professional (Fiction) 13-17 Years Old – About Us (Thailand)
- Aspiring Video Makers 18 Years Old & Above – Bata, Bata Ka Lang (Kid, You’re Just a Kid) (Philippines)
- Children Video Makers 12 Years Old & Under – A Silent Connection (Vietnam)
- Children Video Makers 13-15 Years Old – Kisapmata (Philippines)
- Children Video Makers 16-17 Years Old – Inabay (Philippines)
- Heart Award (Professional Category) – Upin & Ipin: Our Friend Susanti (Malaysia)
- Heart Award (Children Category) – Kisapmata (Philippines)
- Aspiring Video Makers – Bata, Bata Ka Lang (Kid You’re Just A Kid) (Philippines)
- Kids’ Choice Award – Mag-Igsukul (True Friendship) (Philippines)
