Prix Jeunesse International 2024 successfully concluded on May 30, with PTS’ self-produced program Hello to Me in 100 Years being shortlisted for the international competition category and receiving widespread acclaim. PTS also participated in the preliminary filming for the festival’s annual co-production project. During the project release on May 28, PTS, together with the festival organizers, called on attending countries to support the over a dozen international co-production projects, urging global children and youth to take action against global warming.
Hello to Me in 100 Years has previously received significant recognition at various international film festivals. This year, it was shortlisted for the 7-10-year-old documentary category in the international competition at Prix Jeunesse. After its screening, it received widespread praise, with several festival judges and conference moderators noting the program’s creative use of multiple visual materials and its captivating narrative logic. The program resonated deeply with children’s imaginations. Monica Maruri, Executive Director of Ecuadorian educational media IPAN, highlighted in the festival’s moderator’s report that Hello to Me in 100 Years gave children a voice through artistic expression, and its content was refreshingly unique. PTS Producer Wuan-ling Guo emphasized during discussions that the program was a co-creation with children, aiming to promote dialogue and foster mutual understanding between generations.
The Taiwanese team had an outstanding performance at this year’s Prix Jeunesse. In addition to Hello to Me in 100 Years being shortlisted, the co-produced By The Sea (with the Fubon Cultural & Educational Foundation) was runner up for prize winner. Another shortlisted entry, Where is Grandpa?, from Hakka TV’s WAWAWA! series, was co-produced by PTS, Taiwan Indigenous TV, Hakka TV, and Taigi TV. Fubon’s Having Fun in the Mountains and The Match both performed well, with Having Fun in the Mountains winning the 7-10-year-old documentary category. Due to the excellent overall performance of the Taiwanese programs, the festival organizers praised the PTS and Taiwanese teams during the special session on May 26, expressing gratitude for PTS’s continued efforts in promoting children’s programming. PTS also announced at the event the upcoming launch of the PTS children’s platform PTS XS, which was warmly received by international guests.
Notably, PTS participated in the preliminary planning and filming of the festival’s annual co-production project, collaborating with teams from Germany, Cuba, and Mongolia on the first pilot episode of WeMe’s Nature World. During the international co-production project release, PTS producer Wuan-ling Guo emphasized that global warming and environmental issues have long been key focuses for PTS, and participating in this international co-production project was significant in expanding children’s perspectives and fostering dialogue and collaboration among international teams, maximizing the global impact of future content production.
Wuan-ling Guo, who also serves as the Head of the International Section at PTS, was invited to join the International Advisory Committee of Prix Jeunesse this year. This role granted her a voice in shaping the content of the festival, enhancing cooperation between PTS and the international film festival teams, and contributing to the production of high-quality children’s content.
Prix Jeunesse International is the world’s oldest biennial festival dedicated to children’s programming. This year marks its 60th anniversary. The festival provides an in-depth exploration and exchange on global trends and developments in children’s programming, making it a key indicator in the field. This year’s festival was attended by nearly 400 global guests, including children’s content producers and scholars. PTS has had shortlisted entries in the festival’s competition screenings over the years, establishing a strong relationship with the event.