FILM COMPETITION

On 31^st July 2024 AHAPPY Youth Storytelling-Film Competition was officially launched and is once again open to all schools and youth groups under the AJAN Network.

Following the success of the first edition of the AHAPPY Youth Storytelling Contest that was held in 2013, in this second edition inspired by St. Ignatius’ words “Ite, inflammate omnia” (“Go, set the world on fire”), we aim to illuminate the path towards a more compassionate and sustainable future under the theme “Be Inspired and Inspire!” We invite young creators between the ages of 15 and 25 from all over the African continent where AJAN is present to share stories to inspire a brighter and bolder future for Africa.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

The top 10 entries overall will be featured on our website and social media channels, reaching our entire AJAN network and thousands of people online.

On top of the opportunity to showcase your talent and share your story with a global audience, 

🥇The best dramatized skit overall will receive prizes of USD __300__

🥈The second Runners up overall will receive prizes of USD __200__ 

🥉The third Runners up overall will receive prizes of USD __150__

The top two dramatized skits from each center will be submitted to the AJAN secretariat. AJAN will adopt these scripts and retain the copyright to use the two best skits from each center as resource tools for the AHAPPY program across different countries.

The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2024.

The Overall Winner will be announced in December 2024.

WHAT IS THE AHAPPY YOUTH STORYTELLING CONTEST-FILM COMPETITION?

The AHAPPY Youth Storytelling Contest is inspired by the Gospel of John, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). One of AJAN’s key initiatives, the AJAN HIV and AIDS Prevention Program for Youth (AHAPPY), targets reducing the vulnerability and contraction of HIV among youth aged 10 to 24.

We believe that for young people to take charge of their future, storytelling has the power to ignite change, inspire action and empower communities. When we tell stories that highlight the triumphs over adversities, the entrepreneurial spirit, the cultural richness, and the collective achievements of Africans, the young people get to challenge stereotypes and foster a sense of pride within our communities through showcasing their inner ability and strengths.

APPLICATION

The AHAPPY Youth Storytelling Contest will be run by the AJAN affiliated Centres at the grass root level from 31^st July 2024 to 31^st October 2024.

To participate in the AHAPPY Youth Storytelling contest 2024, Youths are requested to visit the following 18 AJAN Centres to get more information on how to register and submit your entries

1. Bénin : le Centre de Recherche, d’Étude et de Créativité (CREC)
2. Burkina Faso : Association les Bénévoles de l’Esperance (ABE)
3. Burundi: Service Yezu Mwiza (SYM)
4. Central Africa Republic : Centre d’Information, d’Education et d’Ecoute (CIEE)
5. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Centre Maïsha in Kisangani & Centre
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Monseigneur Munzihirwa (CMM) in Kinshasa
7. Guinea Conakry: Jesuit Education at Margins of Africa (JEMA)
8. Kenya: St. Joseph Development Programmes (SJDP)
9. Kenya: St. Aloysius Gonzaga High School
10. Liberia: Holy Family Catholic Parish
11. Madagascar: Centre Arrupe (CA)
12. Rwanda : Jesuit Urumuri Centre (JUC)
13. Sierra Leone: St. John Paul ll Catholic quasi-Parish Grafton, Freetown
14. Tanzania: Radio Kwizera
15. Togo : Centres Sociaux Loyola (CSL)
16. Uganda: Ocer Campion Jesuit College
17. Zambia: Chikuni Home-Based Care (CHBC)
18. Zimbabwe: Society of Jesus in Southern Africa runs an Integral Youth Development (IYD) Program.

2024 Main Theme: “Be Inspired and Inspire!”

Participants are expected to submit entries in the following categories/sub-themes.

1. HIV, STIs and Health Education: Participants who will select this theme should be able to address comprehensive health education on HIV or STIs and prevention.
2. Social Responsibility, Community Engagement & Environment Conservation: Be able to address environment conservations, Social responsibility, community service, social innovations and entrepreneurial spirit.
3. Faith and Spirituality: The skit produced based on this theme should show youths understanding of the World and the creation. Integrating spiritual growth and moral development, encouraging young people to explore their faith and values is important. Skits produced should emphasize the importance of spirituality in fostering a sense of purpose, ethical living, and a compassionate approach to life and towards those living with HIV.
4. Knowledge Transfer, Wisdom Sharing & Cultural Preservation: Be able to able to show   the importance of Elders-young people dialogue. Capture issues on cultural heritage, traditions, values and importance of cultural identity and preservations
5. Teen drug abuse: Help teens avoid drugs; Participants should be able to provide comprehensive education about the risks and consequences of drug abuse. Show how a support system is important to a drug abuser and why skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial in helping youth make informed and healthy choices.

The submitted skits should collectively aim to nurture well-rounded individuals by focusing on empowering young people with essential life skills such as communication, decision-making, critical thinking, and emotional resilience. 

What are the selection criteria?

• Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
• The participants should be young people who have met the criteria outlined, in terms of age
• Creativity, passion and originality.
• Relevance to the sub-themes that you selected described above and aligning with the teachings of the AHAPPY program.
• Vision and pathway for the Holistic development of the young people in Africa.
• Clarity of expression and communication of ideas.
• Overall impact and effectiveness.
• The skit should be a maximum of 15 minutes.

Disclaimer

• We would like to encourage young people and the Youths groups to submit their story to the local AJAN centres that will be running the story.
• We will only consider original content created by applicants themselves. Please note that AI generated content will not be evaluated or accepted.
• All entries will be reviewed and the skit subjected to AI test by a panel including the AHAPPY Storytelling Contest Steering Committee selected from different AJAN Affiliated Centres.
• We will acknowledge all submissions from AJAN Centres but only contact selected candidates. The panel’s decision will be final and not subject to appeal.
• AHAPPY Storytelling Contest Steering Committee reserves the right not to select a winner if no entries that they deem suitable are received.
• AJAN reserves the right to use and adapt the 2 best submissions from each centre to be used as resource materials for AHAPPY Training Manual.