From the short film clip contest “Short Film, Long Love,” encouraging youth to submit short film clips for the contest, over 260 entries were submitted, with only 10 making it to the final round. These included entries from lower secondary, upper secondary and vocational certificate (Vocational Certificate), and university and higher vocational certificate (Higher Vocational Certificate) levels. The winning entries were “Responsible Love” from the Jake W.2 team and “MISSION (NOT) IMPOSSIBLE/Secret Mission (Irresistible)” from the Sathu Boon Production team.
Most of the youth’s works reflect perspectives on teenage pregnancy, conveying stories on the topic of teenage sex not being wrong but requiring protection. They explore solutions when pregnancy occurs (continuing the pregnancy vs. abortion). Most teenagers still view the issue as a myth, presenting works that show Thai society has very few options for dealing with pregnancy, which may require further understanding.
However, some youth have a perspective on teenage pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of parents and guardians understanding children as friends and being by their side when problems arise. At the same time, involving males in facing and solving problems alongside females is better, differing from traditional media that often portray women as facing fate alone and men as villains who escape responsibility. This contest also aims to encourage teenagers to produce media that promotes self-care with life skills.
“Responsible Love”
“Secret Mission (Irresistible)”
Source: RSA News Reporter (rsathai.org) reporting from the 3rd National Conference on Sexual Health, Teenage Pregnancy: From Strategy to Sustainable Practice, January 28, 2019 Topic: Youth Perspectives on Teenage Pregnancy through the Short Film Clip Contest “Short Film, Long Love”
Moderator: Miss Ratchada Tharapak Foundation for Understanding Women’s Health
Speakers: Mr. Phuwadon Naosopa, representative of the university-level contest winners, Miss Manatchaya Permpeng, representative of the upper secondary level contest winners, Mr. Kantachat Rueangrattanamphon, Faculty of Journalism, Thammasat University, Miss Wijit Wongwareethip, independent researcher, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanokwan Tharawan, Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University