Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a prominent media platform of the Catholic Church in Asia, has launched an international short film-making competition to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Laudato Si’ encyclical. The competition, themed “Environmental Advocacy in Asia: Translating the Vision of Laudato Si’ into Care for Our Common Home,” aims to inspire filmmakers, students, youth groups, social communications ministries, and environmental advocates across Asia to create short, impactful films that highlight the beauty of creation alongside pressing ecological challenges facing the continent.
The announcement was made on September 10, 2025, during RVA’s third Laudato Si’ webinar, alongside the release of a promotional video for the contest.
The contest is a joint initiative with the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Office of Social Communications (FABC–OSC) and reflects RVA’s ongoing commitment to ecological advocacy through media. As Asia is one of the most ecologically vulnerable regions in the world, the competition seeks to amplify voices urging stewardship of the environment and meaningful action against threats such as deforestation, climate change, pollution, and natural disasters.
The competition welcomes submissions from all nationalities, but the stories must be rooted in the Asian ecological context. Eligible participants include individual filmmakers, students, youth groups, parishes, dioceses, religious congregations, educational institutions, and social organizations.
Short Film Requirements
- Duration: 3–5 minutes (strictly enforced)
- Language: English (films in other languages must have English subtitles)
- Originality: Entries must be original and free from copyright issues
- Format: Full HD (1920×1080) in MP4 or MOV
- Poster: High-resolution poster required for submission
- Entry Limit: One per participant or organization
- Deadline: November 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Philippine Time)
AI tools may be used in production, although their use might affect scoring.
The judging panel comprises distinguished Asian filmmakers and media experts who will evaluate entries based on thematic relevance to Laudato Si’s message, creativity, technical quality, emotional impact, social significance, and clarity of advocacy. Winners will be announced on December 10, 2025, with cash prizes totaling USD 3,300 to be awarded: USD 1,000 for first place, USD 800 for second, and USD 500 for third, plus USD 100 for each of the ten finalists. All qualifying participants will receive certificates of recognition.
Fr. Felmar Fiel, General Manager of RVA, emphasized the competition’s role in encouraging authentic storytelling that challenges and inspires ecological awareness. “Asia is the most vulnerable continent to ecology-related threats, and this competition is our way of encouraging the youth to respond creatively to this urgent need,” he said.
Fr. John Mi Shen, RVA’s Programme Director and Executive Secretary of FABC–OSC, expressed hope that the competition’s attractive prizes and wide reach will generate broad participation and support the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences’ mission to raise ecological consciousness among Asians, especially youth. The contest represents a strategic effort to mobilize media advocacy for a healthier, safer environment and a responsible care for the planet.
Interested participants can register and submit their films through the official RVA portal, with a firm submission deadline of November 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM Philippine Time. For inquiries, the organizers have provided an official contact email at [email protected].
This international short film-making competition is a timely and compelling initiative marking a decade since the publication of Laudato Si’, calling on Asian communities and creatives to translate Pope Francis’ vision into visual stories that engage and inspire care for the common home. It underscores Radio Veritas Asia’s evolving role in leveraging modern media platforms to promote Christian values and ecological responsibility across Asia.
Very interesting and at the same time pretty innovative competition!