Kid Witness News

Premier Judges Review

Reviews from our Premier Judges. Among these high quality videos, we share the many points that were evaluated.

Judges Comment for Winners
Primary Category Primary Category
This production is so good in so many ways. It is a unique concept beautifully delivering a key point, The personality of the teacher, the “humanity”. The craft levels, acting, lighting, cinematography, audio mixing, music scoring, all are executed at a standard that would be admired even if coming from an adult entry.
This is a very important story about difference and how to include people with a variety of abilities. The use of multiple camera angles and slow motion helped open up the drama of the film and boosted the tension of the race.
The story is touching for also adult viewers reminding us of the universal value of love in families. While a simple story, illusion such as the parents present at the dining table illustrating changes in place and time, the transition techniques were effectively used creating an impressive video.
Secondary Category Secondary Category
It wisely embodies the concept of video games into 2 different forms; drama and documentary. From the start, using a number of great post-production techniques, it really help emerge the viewer in the game action. Good selection and use of audio elements also help deliver a strong story with a clear theme.
A wonderful concept of how one focuses all senses to a world that we do not notice through sounds, a “symphony”. Synchronization of the background music, various sounds and scenes around daily life was impressive and professional.
A remarkable viewpoint of how Germany accepts many refugees from outside countries and use sports clubs to bring people together. On the production side, it neatly and carefully captures the individual interviewees creating a clear documentary.
With the essence of the Paralympic Games, I felt inspiration for all those who are trying to improve their lives. The artwork on the wall at the end of the video was impressive. In terms of the technical, the use of jump cuts and the edits of various sport footage was expertly handled making the video very easy to watch.
Video Trend for KWN 2016

1. The two perspectives of the primary and secondary student. A clear reflection of the world through their eyes.

The video entries this year were divided into two categories, elementary and secondary. Among the elementary entries, the videos clearly reflect the world through their eyes, which characterize differently from the secondary. They were more innocent, simple and direct as well as closely link to their personal lives and culture. While the secondary videos reached high levels of the same points through their story-telling style and narration. 

―――　Lucksana Klaikao

2. Themes rich in diversity. The focus toward social issues.

This year’s films showed a great variety in subject matter - from disabled athletes, to habitat conservation, the value of family, the tactile beauty of hands, overcoming parental resistances, the societal integration of refugees, familial empathy, the dangers of excessive video gaming, and the sounds that surround us. It demonstrates that KWN is seen as a viable forum for profiling a great many disparate topics, each one potentially important to young and older people alike. The trend seems to be more towards social issues (immigration, societal values) than in previous years where topics were more concentrated on school life, the environment, or matters concerning social media.

―――　Blu Steven

3. “Awareness”, a sign of maturity due to the outside world.

This year I found the emotional level of some of the films incredibly touching and moving. The trend I would say for this year was "awareness AND self-awareness" which for me is a sign of maturity. Seeing the self and personal needs in a larger context is what makes us better human beings. There was also a level of global consciousness from the perspective of their homes that was hopeful and reassuring. I was of course excited to see the films because of the quality of the work last year but these seemed to exceed my expectations. No matter what the themes were, they managed to put a global and mature and life changing spin on each of the stories. I hope the process was life changing for the students because it was life changing for me to watch them.

―――　Sheril Antonio

4. The evolution of quality in the production process.

Each year I have been fortunate enough to be a Premier Judge. I have seen an evolution in the submitted film entries. There is now a discernible maturity in both the selection of subject matter and the production and postproduction techniques employed to create these films. Each year individual teams produce work of outstanding quality but I would say that this year we have witnessed another step-change in entrant competency. I am excited by what the KWN Global Contest continues to deliver in terms of engaging young people in the ability to tell stories to a global audience with all the power and conviction that they see professional filmmakers use.

―――　Blu Steven

The photographs and videos uploaded to this website are based on prior consent from each Kid Witness News (KWN) participating school. The participating school can remove their photos and/or videos from this website by requesting officially to the Panasonic Corporation.

KWN is a global hands-on video education program for students supported by Panasonic. Contributing to the realization “ A Better Life, A Better World”.