"Masterpiece of Mankind's Heritage" – A Documentary Competition

 

 

For all you film-making enthusiasts out there, MyYouth’s newest venture might be just the opportunity for you. In collaboration with National Geographic Malaysia, we are proud to bring you:

 

‘Masterpieces of Mankind’s Heritage – a Documentary Competition’.

 

 

Beneath the bustling, fast-moving turbulence of today’s generation hides a Malaysia steeped in culture, a land of fables and myths. A fairy-tale world.

 

Yet, what with the speed at which we are rushing towards the future and embracing the newest trend-gone-viral, whether it’s snapping selfies or hash-tagging, we are losing sight of the very ingredients that make us unique from the rest- that set us apart.

 

 

This competition, which will span a period of two months, seeks to shine the spotlight back on to those elements of Malaysian culture that have been honoured with the title of ‘Masterpieces of the Oral and the Intangible Heritage of Humanity', an endeavour by UNESCO to preserve and revive the local cultures honed in the nooks and crannies of the world.

 

 

Participants can choose any one of Malaysia’s umpteen types of performing arts, whether it is the near-dying practice of Wayang Kulit, or Malaysia’s most authentic form of drama, Mak Yong.

 

 

[For a list of the various types of folkart,                          ]

 

 

The requirements are simple- trace the legacy of these arts, seek out their practitioners, and delve deep to their roots. In other words, tell the story of your chosen folk art.

 

 

What is it about?

 

 

How did it come to be?

 

 

What does it say about the people who practise it?

 

 

There are little to no restrictions about the bent or angle of your documentary. It could a series of interviews, a re-enactment of the tale of a particular folk-art, or a cataloguing of the current state of your chosen folk-art. Be creative, tap boundaries, challenge yourself and express what you feel about your cultural heritage in your film.

 

 

The winning documentary will be judged on the following criteria:

 

1)      Intellectual value and soundness

2)     Accuracy of facts

3)     Creativity

4)     Production quality – transition, framing, editing, audio/video quality and clarity

 

 

Be advised that all footage and other materials must be original- permission must be sought from owners of other resources, such as video clips, music and photographs, and proof of permission must be attached to the documentary film. All sources used for research (human and non-human resources) must be cited in the film. Copyright infringement will NOT be tolerated.

 

 

The competition will commence on 6th July, 2014, and will last over a period of two months, until 5th September, 2014. The film must be uploaded on to YouTube before this deadline, and the URL emailed to us at heritage@myyouth.org before the deadline.

 

 

And the grand prize? The winner will be awarded the hefty sum of RM 2500, as well as a year’s internship with National Geographic Malaysia, to be taught the ropes of documentary-filming professionally. Yes, that’s right- you get to learn film-making from the big guns themselves, and who knows- it might be your films they will be airing within a couple of years’ time.

 

 

So get your gear ready- this is may well be the defining moment for your career, not to mention the long-overdue debut of our cultural treasures on the modern stage. Show the world your talent, skill and dedication, and let's not forget, your pride as a Malaysian.

 

 

[Interested? Confused? Contact us               ]