(RVA News): Radio Veritas Asia [RVA] hosted a major online gathering on January 30 for the Laudato Si’ Care for Creation Short Film Contest Awards and the launch of the commemorative book, Voices for Our Common Home.
The event brought together filmmakers, Church communicators, environmental advocates, theologians, and bishops from across Asia.
The Short Film Contest formed part of a year-long campaign launched by RVA in response to the pastoral letter from the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences [FABC], commemorating the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’.
Announced in early September 2025, the contest invited storytellers from across Asia and beyond to submit a 3–5 minute original film centred on the theme of caring for our common home and the impact of Laudato Si’ in Asia. Attractive cash prizes were offered, ranging from US$100 for 10 special entries to US$1,000 for the top award.
The contest received an overwhelming response, with over 80 entries submitted, necessitating a rigorous screening process. Thirteen finalists—comprising 10 consolation awardees and three top prize winners—were selected by an international panel of judges: Nathalia “Natts” Jadaone of the Philippines, Sunny Laphai of Myanmar, and Dr. Shaison P. Ouseph of India.
Through this short film contest, we have witnessed how young communicators across Asia are responding creatively to the call to ecological conversion,. Their stories awaken conscience, nurture compassion, and inspire responsible action
Father John Mi Shen
The awards ceremony took place online on January 30 at 4:00pm Philippine time and was coordinated by RVA’s Programme Department from its central office in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Welcoming participants, Father John Mi Shen, programme director of RVA and executive secretary of the Office of Social Communication of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences [FABC–OSC], described the occasion as more than a ceremonial event.
“Today is more than a celebration,” Father Mi Shen said. “It is a moment of gratitude and hope.”
Recalling the prophetic vision of Laudato Si’, he emphasised that care for creation is an essential dimension of Christian discipleship. “Through this short film contest, we have witnessed how young communicators across Asia are responding creatively to the call to ecological conversion,” he said. “Their stories awaken conscience, nurture compassion, and inspire responsible action.”
A congratulatory message was delivered by Dr. Natasa Govekar of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, who commended RVA for keeping the spirit of Laudato Si’ alive in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and digital media.
She reminded participants that humanity is not only the guardian of creation but is also protected by it. Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s World Communications Day message, she stressed the need to safeguard authentic human faces and voices, warning that excessive dependence on screens risks disconnecting people from nature.
A central highlight of the programme was the presentation and official launch of the commemorative book, Voices for Our Common Home: Laudato Si’ in Asia by Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, president of Caritas Philippines
The judges of the Laudato Si’ Care for Creation Short Film Contest announced 10 consolation prize winners, with excerpts from selected films screened during the ceremony.
A central highlight of the programme was the presentation and official launch of the commemorative book, Voices for Our Common Home: Laudato Si’ in Asia by Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, president of Caritas Philippines.
“The voices recorded in this book are not only a testimony to the impact of Laudato Si’ on Asia, but also a reminder of the urgency of caring for our common home,” Bishop Alminaza said. He added that the Church “cannot afford to wait” in responding to the ecological crisis, and expressed hope that the publication would deepen awareness and strengthen collective action.
Speaking on the occasion, Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, Malaysia—also chairperson of the FABC’s Office of Evangelisation—warmly congratulated the young filmmakers who participated in the contest, noting that they represent the “now” of the Church. As a contributor to Voices for Our Common Home, the archbishop also highlighted the urgent need to preserve and pass on ancestral wisdom, one of the key concerns emphasised in Laudato Si’.
All three winning films were screened during the ceremony, followed by brief messages of gratitude from the respective filmmakers, who shared how Laudato Si’ inspired their creative engagement with environmental concerns
Sister Antoinette, FSP, editor of Pauline Publications India, thanked RVA for the partnership and presented a hard copy of the book to viewers.
Malaysian artist Christine Das, who designed the book cover—a haunting image of an elephant carrying the crucified Lord in its trunk—shared how the publication of Laudato Si’ in 2015 affirmed her vocation as a wildlife conservation artist.
The event culminated with the announcement and screening of the top three prize-winning films.
The Third Prize was awarded to “The Wrapper’s Journey” from India, announced by Cheryl Dugan, Asia-Pacific director of the Laudato Si’ Movement.
The Second Prize went to “Circles” from the Philippines, announced by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Allwyn D’Silva of the Archdiocese of Bombay, India, and chairperson of the Office for Human Development and Climate Change of the FABC.
The First Prize was awarded to “Love in Action” from Thailand, announced by Divine Word Father Felmar Fiel, general manager of RVA.
All three winning films were screened during the ceremony, followed by brief messages of gratitude from the respective filmmakers, who shared how Laudato Si’ inspired their creative engagement with environmental concerns.
In his closing remarks, Father Fiel thanked the filmmakers, judges, contributors to the commemorative book, participating bishops, and partners for their collaboration. He concluded the gathering with a prayer and blessing, entrusting Asia’s ecological mission to God’s care.
The dual celebration reaffirmed RVA’s commitment to amplifying Asian voices and encouraging faith-driven ecological responsibility, 10 years after Laudato Si’ called the world to care for “our common home”.
