Young Indian and Filipino win global faith film 'Oscars'

November 29, 2012: An Indian, a Philippino, and and Israeli have won the Tony Blair Faith Foundation’s 2012 global film competition, Faith Shorts, also known as ‘global faith film ‘oscars’.
Charles Andrew Flamiano of Philippines, Liat Har-Gill of Israel, and Mudit Muraka from India received their awards at 195 Piccadilly, the home of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). The award were given in front of over 200 guests including Tony Blair, members of the entertainment and film industry, religious leaders, and experts from Wikipedia, Youtube and Google.
15 year old student, Mudit Muraka, from New Delhi, won the Face to Faith category for his film “The Mirror”. His film explores the social pressures teenagers around the world face today.
Commenting on the news that he’d won his category, Mudit said:
“This is really amazing and I am overwhelmed. Thank you to my school, my principal and family. Thank you for giving me this platform to express my views on what is such a sensitive and important topic for young people. I hope the Foundation continues its great work. Someday I hope we can live in a world where everyone is free of prejudices and stereotypes and can have their own unique faith and be themselves”.
Winner in the 14-17 year old category, Charles Andrew Flamiano, who is a 16 year old student from General Santos City, Philippines, made an emotional film “Letting Go, Letting God”. The winning film focuses on putting trust in God when faced with an adversity like illness.
Commenting on the news that he had won in his category, Charles Andrew Flamiano said: "This award has been the greatest thing which has ever happened to me. I would like to thank the judges for selecting my film my class mates who served as cast and crew and my family and my school for nurturing my faith since elementary years.”
“These films truly give young people a voice in a world where they can often feel drowned out – and an opportunity to use their personality and creativity to express their faith and what it means to them. They challenge stereotypes, provoke thought – and most importantly encourage tolerance and compassion’, said Julie Etchingham, the Host of the event.
“If even only one film had the power to turn one person’s ignorance into understanding it would be worth it. But these films have the potential to reach many more, and to foster a network of respect among young people from all backgrounds”.