±«Óătv

A very powerful message put across very simply and effectively.

CHINA really made me realise just how little I consider the Chinese culture, when I make purchases - even though I try to think 'green' and buy compassionately. I really liked the calm and thoughtful manner in which the film was delivered. Good luck!

Simple but effective. It says more in 2 minutes than any other report I've seen on Cocaine.

Mary

DOLE is the only one that is really a current affairs type report. Carbon, Paperboys and Sweden are pretty good, but don't quite hit the mark... I guess proving that the "news report" that DOLE follows is used alot because it *works*.

It's a shame DOLE has an unexpressive default picture above.. the video is much more interesting (and FUNNY!)

So why did you promote the idea that you were wanting "amusing" clips of people mugging into mobile phones (as per your example using JP), sitting on televisions in suggestive ways (as in your chosen example from Youtube), or footage of pets? And then not clarify when asked? To minimise your selection task?

I so hate Flashmovies. I get all of your frames on the page to finish downloading so that viewing won't be disrupted by downloading, then find only one will play with sound. That never happens with RealMedia or Quicktime files.

Anyway, you've now published them all on your blog, and they all seem quite decent, so why not broadcast them all?

I agree with Ralph, Dole is the only video that is like a proper currant affairs documentary. It has a lot of information put across in a short space of time.
Dole has my vote.

CHINA: Succinct comment and very well illustrated. Fun (as well as informative) to watch, easy to listen to and got the point across admirably considering the time permitted. Good luck!

Better than I expected ! I thought after watching the first video [London] it might be full of vapid inaninities like 'I like London, because I love being a Londoner' [?].

Very few stand out videos here.

The winner for me was Malawi, as it clearly understood there was only a two minute slot to convey a single, clear, message.

HOMELESS was the silver medal winner for me, as it attempted to understand the underlying problem being filmed. The 'cocaine' video clearly didn't, and neither did the 'cuba' one. No mention was made of Castro's health?

Bronze medal was tricky. 'China' was quite engaging, but you did wonder what the real message here was.

And 'Sweden' was excellently filmed, and you feel the contributor could have made an excellent 8-10 minute film on the environment. But trying to shoehorn it into 2 minutes meant that it failed to really give any insight into what Sweden is doing differently to the UK. So, [drum roll] the bronze has to go to the Cyprus film, which did manage to deliver a powerful, clear message.

I guess 'less is more' is the motto.

I feel sure that Martha could have a word with Jeremy and persuade him to present the awards, given that some of these have videos have cleared the hurdle of 'Animals do the funniest..' quality which he was expecting....

Cocaine. By a long way, a stunning little film.

If you can get the story across with no words, job done.

Paperboys was interesting but I don't quite get what the message was - is it demanding more money for paperboys or moaning about children who are too lazy to work? It was directionless.
China was more successful, it had one point to make and the message was well said. It gets my vote.
I also liked Dole. I discovered facts I didn't know and I wonder why us jobless don't kick up more of a fuss!

Since others have started to give feedback...

LONDON: Excellent. Good selection of people, mostly being happy to be together. Would have fitted very well after the bombings. Maybe too London-centric for Newsnight.

HOMELESS: Proficient interview but lacking a sense of what homelessness meant for him. I wondered if it had been shot by The Big Issue film unit.

MALAWI: Odd music, and what had he done with his hair? Those distracted me from good "bringing home" of a solution in Africa. But aren't being unable to afford the school fees required by IMF policies, or having to take care of siblings or ill parents, or the disruption of civil unrest greater barriers to getting schooling in much of Africa than needing to be attracted to school by the provision of a meal? Or am I misinformed?

COLOMBIA: Superb "access", but was this an instructional video on how to make cocaine if one happened to have a few Coca trees? I felt educated but puzzled. I liked the birds.

ID CARDS: Would Newsnight ever broadcast a pure dramatisation? I couldn't quite figure why it felt so "Keystone Cops". Surely not just it being black and white? It expresses a widespread fear, but taken to such an extreme that it loses many of those that should be engaged. Why would ID cards mean young men were jumped in the street by armed, plain clothed police? But then if young men are afraid of that, whereas others have yet different fears about the same government moves, they all need more airing, until the plans get brought to heel.

DOLE: Why the dressing gown and cigar in Lancashire? Why single out Dole, excluding the other benefits? Getting on, and receiving the proper level of benefits when they are needed is often (but to be fair not always) far worse than being treated as a number and smeared in government PR campaigns. Still, usually unexpressed viewpoints were well reported.

CARBON: Competently shot (indeed a weird opening shot really engaged the curiosity) and reported, but an angle already covered by Ethical Man, and missing that he debunked the idea that paying for trees in any way compensates for releasing carbon trapped underground for millions of years.

CHINA: The children's books were an arresting angle on Chinese manufacturing for the West, but the film seemed somewhere to be missing some logical step in the narrative. Has someone being suggesting that China is releasing too much carbon already? If so I've missed it. The main worries are that China with added western lifestyle and consumption, with present day technology, will push the world's carbon emissions through the roof. Was the idea instead that the West has been exporting some of our carbon emission to China in shifting manufacturing for our consumption there, so we're cheating on our figures?

CUBA: Superb access and subjects. Many, many very telling, detailed shots. What timing, just as a hurricane approached! Why do we never hear about hurricane danger or damage in Cuba, when so many cross the island? Have they built to protect themselves, or is news from Cuba subject to the US embargo too? Why would that be, when the UK isn't party to that embargo? Or is it? Deserved a lot more time, but still a good, self-contained two minutes.

CYPRUS: A good Video Nation piece about a place too little reported despite so many links with the UK, such a key location in Middle-Eastern events, and so many holidays. Yes, hopefully the terrible division will soon be at least made purely administrative, but maybe something about the EU membership or the thwarted reconciliation plans might have been in order.

PAPERBOYS: The decline of the news-trade deserves television coverage. After all, many of the TV news stories are still on the back of newspaper and magazine reporting. How much of the critical decline in sales is due to collapsing distribution such as in the case of this local news-agent who has had to stop morning deliveries, instead of people preferring TV or the Internet as news sources? And is the non-availability of paperboys (and girls, despite the title) due to children not wanting to be bothered to get up early, or to fears for their safety in the strange, early morning hours? Are the fears stoked by some papers in campaigns intended to boost their circulation destroying their distribution chain? Nice character interview, with the sadness of his having been refused access to his profession here contrasting with the apparent happiness of the recent immigrants in 'London'. There was more in that interviewee.

SWEDEN: We seemed to be missing why this chap had taken the trouble, and had the access to go all over Sweden seeing their approach to carbon emission. We got a good snapshot of what he saw, but it felt like there was much more we could have seen. However, the issue of the motivation also raised, perhaps quite unfairly, a question on the impartiality. Some lovely shots. Quite a director, I'm thinking.

BULGARIA: Another compact Video Nation piece. Good interview subjects on the one side well questioned and shot, not so well on the other side. So somewhat one-dimensional. Yes, Bulgarians can be nice, attractive, and eloquent in English too. And "everyone" wants to live in London (as 'London' showed). Only we are supposed to have a society in which our capital city is accessible by the people of the country of which it is the capital, and is a place where people can have roots, not be priced out by or otherwise ousted by people from everywhere else in the world seeking the bright lights. London is so key to British government, and commerce, and culture, that all of that risks being undermined by those roles being supplanted by the city being the aspirational location of most of the rest of the world. The piece didn't answer that. But then, what reason to single out Bulgarians? Well, because of belief that the entry of the country into the EU has been rushed for anti-Russian reasons and so, aside perhaps from the middle-classes, there is still too large a gap between some aspects of Bulgaria and other countries in the EU. But then some other countries were rushed into membership too, and may well still be less EU-like than Bulgaria. Latvia and Poland come to mind.

Technically, my only real complaint would be that some need to learn how to edit their sound, especially fading and mixing at cuts. There were too many nasty sounbd cuts. It isn't difficult, but the picture always tends to get more attention.

Well Peter, the talent is clearly out there. I hope it matches you idea of how it might be used, whatever that is.

I think I'll have to toss a coin to choose between 'Cuba' and 'Paperboy', with 'China' and 'Sweden' close behind. That's all despite 'ID Cards' being, to my mind, the subject most needing examination, but differently to the video here.

Cuba: What a lovely film. It managed to portray the unique situation of the country in a very poetic way. Wonderful metaphor comparing the hurricane with the changes that are about to happen there.

It's got to be LONDON. I felt a huge range of emotions while watching it, which is exactly what a film should aim to do. Music was very cool and it was the best edited by far. Thanks

London was the only video that was fun coherent and engaging. Gets my vote.

2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 13 made me fall asleep

Columbia's been doing the rounds on youtube for months under the title "how to make cocaine".

ID Cards had a good idea but was terrible and made no sense.

6, 7, 8, 11 had no sound.
Just my computer?

London was the only video that was fun coherent and engaging. Gets my vote.

2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 13 made me fall asleep

Columbia's been doing the rounds on youtube for months under the title "how to make cocaine".

ID Cards had a good idea but was terrible and made no sense.

6, 7, 8, 11 had no sound.
Just my computer?

Cocaine is a good film says lot in 2 minutes as well as Dole, I found Malawi an eqaully strong and very well presented film.
I am and 5,000 others are quite disappointed that you did not pick my film on adoption matters? You seemed to have too much environment stuff.

Good initiative though but I must say ID Cards what is all that about? I will have to agree with Jemermy here...

Tariq

Definitely London!!!

London is great! What a poignant short about why the city is so great! An amazing example of the beauty conviviality... especially when the world seems to be losing sight of that.

LONDON! Love it... there's something really positive and happy about it - in a time where showing the beauty of diversity is so important. Provokes a wide range of emotions and makes you laugh too - all in such a simple and clever idea. Plus the music is great - editing excellent. Fatastic film that gets my vote!

The ones that impressed me most were those that told me something I didn't know, or highlighted a different aspect of something that's often in the news.

My top choices are therefore China, Dole, Columbia and ±«Óătvless.

I think I must be missing the point entirely for the ID cards one. What's that all about?

My goodness! I never thought we would reach the shortlist. We did the whole film on the weekend before the deadline, and I must say I was not happy with the final product. However, I'm still thrilled to be on the shortlist.

We plan to extend the film to more than the allowed two minutes. And that will appear after christmas on youtube.

But if you liked it the way it is, please feel free to vote for it!

Thanks

CUBA É O MAIS LOUCO!

Fernanda Giroldo wrote: "Cuba: What a lovely film. It managed to portray the unique situation of the country in a very poetic way. Wonderful metaphor comparing the hurricane with the changes that are about to happen there."

What changes? It seems nowhere is safe from propaganda. Considered reports now agree that a smooth transition between the Castro brothers has now been completed, and that US State Department and politically motivated political exiles have completely misjudged the country, believing their own propaganda, and misspending tens of millions of dollars of government money. Cuba was clearly never resting on a personality cult, ready to collapse back into the hands of the mafia and right-wing landowners as soon as he faltered. Instead it is an increasingly respected, fair, healthy, educated and stable society. The sooner the cruel and destructive economic blockade based upon that misapprehension, which has imposed such poverty upon the island, is now ended, the better for all concerned. Including those with the delusion that they well regain their former positions of power there.

Christian wrote: "6, 7, 8, 11 had no sound. Just my computer?"

No, a bug in Flash, the format all these were endcoded in. Try reloading the tab, failing that reload the window, or, as a last resort, quit and restart your browser. You should then find they have sound. I eventually got them all to play fine. I had to reload the tab (on Firefox) for each one.

The worse bug - when the video claims to be loading, but makes no progress - requires a restart of the browser.

Christian wrote: "6, 7, 8, 11 had no sound. Just my computer?"

No, a bug in Flash, the format all these were endcoded in. Try reloading the tab, failing that reload the window, or, as a last resort, quit and restart your browser. You should then find they have sound. I eventually got them all to play fine. I had to reload the tab (on Firefox) for each one.

The worse bug - when the video claims to be loading, but makes no progress - requires a restart of the browser.

The I.D. cards film has left me shaken. It is the classic situation of a mistaken identity. The situation is tense and desperate and everybody is paranoid. I.D. cards evidently make the situation worse. Although the second undercover policeman is the main villain in this film as he is responsible for grossly overeacting and the mistaken identity you do to soome extent empathise with him. It really makes you think have things really become desperate enought to justify I.D. cards. The film has genuinley unsettled me but it does in some ways fill me with hope. We do have the power to prevent the future from becoming as grim and desperate as the one portrayed in this film

i liked london best. it was fun and upbeat. good to see the absence of a narrator and instead just letting people speak for themselves. i thought the id cards was an interesting idea too.

What do the Newsnight staff think of these clips? I thought several were very poor, I'm sorry!
London was easily the best, but then again it was a very simple idea and simple in execution.
Some of the rest demonstrated just how wide of the mark this Labour government is, and how much trouble is being stored up.
The comment from a ±«Óătv viewer this morning that we should get some better value, Polish MPs (in response to our own wanting another pay increase) was spot on and very erudite.
I think perhaps there should be another competition along these lines, but with a subject matter suggested. Otherwise JP's thoughts on all this videoblogging malarkey will be confirmed!

London, it has to be. It was fun, engaging and original.

2, 3, 8, 12, 13 were incredibly boring.

4 has been doing the rounds on youtube for months under the title "how to make cocaine".

5 was a good idea but was so badly done it was unbelievable.

6 didn't make any sense.

7 and 9 just didn't get to the heart of the really interesting issues they were looking at.

1 just has to get the vote.

Carbon Offsetting may have been covered by newsnight's Ethical Man in the past, but the issue remains as important as ever.

Today an offsetting article was on the cover of the Observer's travel supplement saying at least 15 UK companies are offsetting flights.

So Carbon definitely gets my vote, with Cocaine a close second.

china was the most effective and thought provoking.But well done to all the entries, some budding film makers out there, take note bbc.

my favourite was number 1 london. it throws up lots of interesting questions about where we are from and where we feel we come from. i felt happy after watching it and it made me smile!

Wow! LONDON really blew me away and got me thinking about where i really come from. Loved the style in which they did it too, showing such a variety of London's people.

it's all about london. i like your film alot. good lucky.

Oh dear - these really are awful. From the guy in the 'Dole' film complaining that his cash-for-nothing isn't given to him with the attitude he'd appreciate to the 'London' multi-culti drivel from (where else?) Shepherd's Bush celebrating how wonderful it is that there are no English people, I can't work out whether Newsnight viewers really are wholly composed of Guardian readers with no job and less talent or if it just reflects the ±«Óătv bias (more benefits, taxes (especially if they address some obscure middle-class obsession with the environment) and foreigners please) of the selectors.

China gets my vote. There is a lot of concern in the West, particularly in the USA, about the impact that economic growth in China and India is going to make to total global carbon emissions. Some influential Americans make the point that there is no point the USA reducing its carbon emissions when those from China and India are growing so fast. The issues are complicated. They are frequently used as an excuse for us doing nothing. Moreover, they are central to the negotiations for the renewal of the Kyoto Treaty when it expires in 2012.

This film makes the point simply. We should all ask ourselves how much of China's carbon-emitting growth is really down to us, thanks to our imports? I'd add, and how much to pressure from us requiring them to modernise and open their markets to our exports so that our economies can continue to pollute? And how much to the transport costs of getting goods form the one place to the other?

In my view, we should buy goods grown and produced from as near to home as possible – only buying imports if they bear the Fairtrade label. The latter are likely to be from small self-help groups and thus be low-carbon emitting, and profits go to the producers (usually women), not the middlemen.

LONDON...shows why there's no place in the world like it...

I was very interested to see the variety of subjects and filming techniques used to get messages across, but I completely agree with Philip (8 Dec) as to the Gold, Silver and Bronze medallists - absolutely my choice, extraordinary!

I agree with Tony Jolliffe. Cuba is very well structured and has beautiful shots. It gets my vote. PAPERBOY with its simple structure but interesting message is also an intelligent film.

I liked the London one. It was simple and to the point.

I think i would have to pick London first, followed by China. Both simple in their execution. Well done

London gets my vote!

Brilliant, all the films I watched were thoughtful and interesting - if I must admit, a little biased toward love peace and saving the Earth. Not a bad thing I guess, but wheres the greedy big business agenda, spin, lobbyists and the new orwellian 'nuance'? Maybe there should be a right to reply.

china was the one for me. No prancing dogs, so paxo should be pleased.

some of these comments are rather strange.
how do 2 people agree that malawi is the winner? the presenter does not even mention Malawi specifically or give any insight into the country. it is not "crazy" that an african child can be fed for less than the cost of an ice cream. this is not a helpful statement if not backed up properly with a strong political statement and explanation.
the Dole film was tricky. this young chap thinks that people claiming unemployment benefits are the only ones treated as a number or described in reference to diseases. has he not glanced at the appalling headlines discussing asylum seekers these days? is he too young to remember how throughout history marginalised groups have been labelled as the diseased Other? I suggest he opens a newspaper or a history book.
Some of the films such as China and Carbon are interesting subjects but are just dreadfully boring. ID cards is simply strange.
My advice is to keep the message simple, as the London film did. This was the winner by far. My runner ups would be Cyprus and Colombia.

london rocks. definitely fits in with newsnights format - take home message? doesn't need one.

CUBA gets my vote. It's the only film that has something to say and does not patronise the viewer.

DOLE merely illustrates that the average person is not very well informed, while BULGARIA seemed very presumptuous. While being cute, LONDON is unimaginative.

Overall, the selection is rather poor. This cannot be the best the web has to offer.

I thought Colombia was a superb little film---would you want to be a user of cocaine if you had watched this? I liked the fact that even in such a short film, there was time for the bit of human detail (the lunch sequence). Brilliant.

Lots of smug Londoners have commented! Perhaps film 4 ought to be linked with film 1.

I wish I hadn't missed the deadline. Otherwise I might have posted a friends distressing film about palestinian house demolitions.

Malawi is the best for reminding to all of us how lucky people in western society are, also the critics of Madona will understand the real motives of her adopting there.
I hope more people will vote for Malawi because it shows how majority people in absolute poverty live.
good one guys

Cyprus is a movie which reflects humankind's lasting aspiration for a peaceful world through a personal story while successfully and thought-provokingly touching peoples' hearts.I appreciate the producer's distribution of sharing the memories with us and look forward to her more works.

Documentry about Cyp is special for anyone who had any relationship with the past events of 1974 and will touch all the hearts of people who try to simulate some of the feelings and emotions which took place back then via this movie. A great choice in docs all round.

"Cyprus" represents a very powerful insight into the often overshadowed history of Cyprus. It touched my heart and will touch many others. These things happened in our lifetime and it is a topic which many people will be interested.

I vote for malawi; it is a very relevant and important subject

Gregory A. Barker

I vote for Cyprus. It is a (yet another) pointless conflict, which we should be able to resolve without violence in our modern day, enlightened society. Why haven't we?

CHINA is the winner for me. Great style, powerful message and most of all thought provoking which is surely what it is all about.

The audio was absent for films 9 to 13 inclusive.

CHINA gets my vote. Well done. A real no frills piece well put.

Malawi gets my vote. Relevant and engaging- something worth dedicating energy to.

This film is well worth watching and tells of the reality of heartaches still felt by many on this beautiful island.I hope it will cause many to work with more zeal to find a just solution to the problem of the division of the island.

MALAWI ROCKS!!! It shows a simple way forward for people caught up in the ravages of poverty and difficulty and gives HOPE to us all!! So, MALAWI gets my vote.

No 10's a winner for me- I now know so much more about Cyprus!

Good to see some worthy environmental stories on the shortlist! Carbon gets my vote

Cuba has some brilliant shots & a powerful message

I like Paperboy because the direction is subtle, enabling the interviewee to talk to camera in a surprisingly relaxed and engaging way. We learn as much about the interviewee as about his opinion on the demise of the paperboy (which he considers is purely for financial reasons) - but the viewer is left considering other, more sinister reasons (understandably protective parents). I would like clarification on the Winston Smith comment - that is not clear, whereas the opinion coming across in the film is perfectly clear. That is what is so good about it - there is no hidden agenda and no loaded questions leading the interviewee, who was perfectly frank and open. Refreshing. And nice exterior shots of the dawn sky against the early morning terraced rooves. This will be remembered longer than most.

The London film is my kinda film, it’s got a really nice feel to it, but I don’t see why it should be on broadcast, there’s no news in it. If it was broadcast though, I wouldn’t complain, it would just seem like a weird change of mode compared to the rest of the Newsnight format.

I think the Cuban film is great, that makes my top 5 easy, but I will be voting for Malawi.

I’m amazed that you can feed a child in Africa for a whole school year for less than £6!
The film was informative, exciting and straight to the point, it didnt waste a second. Shame about the hair.

London. Yawn. Now what did I learn from it that I did not know before?
Yawn.
I didn't particularly enjoy Paperboy because it took a while to get into the subject - it wasn't really relevant to the topic (lack of paperboys) to know that the man had studied architecture but couldn't find an appropriate job. It's an important point (food for another 2 minute video?) but irrelevant here. So, another yawn. Well done to Malawi - enjoyable, educational and with his own individual style. As for Carbon, why she only brought up the important point at the very end...

My vote? China. Short, sweet, to the point. Effective. Makes you think, doesn't it?

In reply to adamlive re: Winston Smith - I have read 1984! It is simply that I thought this allusion was totally off centre & inaccurate, and wanted it justified. You still have failed to justify it, adamliv! it is ridiculous to compare delivering newspapers (a healthy occupation) with child labour. Perhaps those who benefit from this service (the few remaining apparently) should pay more for the luxury of paper on mat first thing.

Cuba gets my vote. It looks like a proper short film and has a very interesting narrative. And, as simon (53) said, does not attempt to patronise me.
Cyprus, Paperboy and China are also in my top5.

MALAWI - Surely the Winner!

I vote for the London film. It was upbeat, engaging and fresh - something Newsnight could do with!

'A child in Malawi can be fed for a year with ÂŁ6'.... this really isn't true. If you feed it with seeds it might be. These statistics are very misleading, as what is this relative to? A child fed for a year on ÂŁ6 anywhere in the world will still be malnourished. Malawi should be aiming alot higher than that if it wants to overcome some of the appalling statistics such as the fact that 50% of its population have stunted growth due to malnutrition.

London is not typical newsnight, but isn't that the point of this? to branch out? I like the way it provides a snapshot of the capital city. It doesn't pass judgement but it does leave you thinking - what do i think about multiculturalism? do i embrace or resent it? Playing on Ken's One London campaign it seems. And it's fascinating to hear how people describe where they come from. I thought this was quite a brave film. It's brave to ask everyone you pass in shepherds bush where they come from and i think that deserves respect.

Columbia - great film - but surely this was previously recorded footage? not filmed for this competition - perhaps just adapted? Brilliant footage though.

Those hungry chhildren in MALAWI.
What a good idea to 'lure' children to school with a free lunch; and while there they get an education. Food for the body, food for the mind.

Noel Burke

I LOVED the London film. For some reason it brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. The music brought it alive and the diversity of people that were interviewed was a great depiction of Shepherd's Bush-in fact many parts of the city. Well done.

I'm so thrilled that CYPRUS made it to the shortlisting. I'd like to thank everyone who has been voting for it and for all the comments people have made and for all the encouragement and help I have received. I'm very touched.

I wish all the finalists good luck! It's great to see the variety of talent out there! :)

In response to Rad/comment 74; my film 'CARBON' was formerly titled 'The Carbon Con'.

Newsnight changed all the titles to one word titles. This meant 'The Carbon Con' was lost and so, it seems, was the point I was trying to make.

Perhaps I should have put the punch line at the start.

Anyway, I enjoyed all of the films - well done to everyone.

MALAWI, Undoubtedly by far the best. I have visited SIR on a few occasions now, and am not only amazed but deeply touched by the Incredible work they are doing. I cannot recommend enough, how important the work is they do. Direct aid, directly to the people who need it most!!!Brilliant. Keep up the good work.

The Malawi film gets my vote.

I'd never heard of Mary's Meals, but I think it's a fantastic idea. It's refreshing to see that nearly all of the money that's donated actually gets to the cause, not wasted in administration, marketing etc.

re: PAPERBOY & ADAMLIV'S LATEST COMMENT. It is going way too far to compare this straightforward & honest film with the sinister regime in George Orwell's "1984" & to maintain that paper delivering is child labour (!!!!) Have we gone so soft in this country? A 15 yr old is hardly a child. Get them out there - let them learn the dignity of honest toil - but fair pay is a must - the customers should be charged for the service. Did adamliv never work when he was 15 at weekends & through each & every school vacation, for very little pay? For some of us it was necessary & we were glad to be able to do it.

Malawi - Why? - Mary's Meals is the most worthiest cause that I have ever came across. The intention is simple. Every hungry child in the world is entitled to a decent meal a day and an education, and this is what Marys Meals does. The film was simple yet effective

In response to no. 82:

Children in Malawi are not 'lured' to school by the promise of a meal - the majority would do anything to go to school everyday. Primary school is free in Malawi, secondary school is not - hence many children cannot actually continue their education. A meal will not enable them to pay for their uniform, school books and fees. 2 mins is clearly not enough time to depict the complexities of the problems that a country such as Malawi faces. And people are clearly missing the point.

In response to 91

MALAWI

First of all, I don't think you've grasped entirely how the concept works. It's not run by Malawi and is not entirely affiliated with the government. It's run by a charity called Scottish International Relief.

Second of all, where are YOUR figures? If you're going to make sweeping statements such as '6 pounds is not going to feed a child' then you should consider backing it up, otherwise you just come across as cynical and borderline foolish.

Finally, you seem to be saying that just because this charity doesn't yet have the power to entitle children to an education in both primary AND secondary, then it might as well give up because it's pointless?

The one meal a day which has indeed proven to seriously raise morale among the children, not to mention put their grades into entirely acceptable levels for a primary school, but it keeps them going. Why would over 100,000 children go to school every day if it wasn't worth it?

A primary school education is worth a great deal to them and will improve the quality of their lives even if it obviously won't match the chances given from a secondary school education. You cannot expect charities and other good will organizations to create a completely full proof plan to saving countries just like that, it must always start somewhere. This is a very simply and incredibly effective concept and I will advocate this as much as I humanly can.

congratulations to everybody for their films.
Special congratulations to Elene Hajidaniel for her wonderful documentary CYPRUS. it really touched our hearts. for me CYPRUS is number one. it really reveals the situation in Cyprus from a very reliable point of view. great job. well done!

i do not think that newsnight is meant to be offering the opportunity to showcase the good work of a charity.

i vote for CYPRUS!!! it is very unique..i really loved it..

I did a quick vote count – open to interpretation – and came to this: London 18, Malawi 14, China 12, Cuba 8, Cyprus 8, Dole 6, ±«Óătvless 2, ID 2, Carbon 2, Colombia 1 (disqualified?), Paperboys 1, Sweden 1, Bulgaria 0.

London - going by some of the posts to other NN blogs, the rest of the UK is feeling neglected at the moment and so maybe now is not such a good time for this film to win and surely the makers have talent and will succeed without NN.

ID and Dole interestingly are the films selected by the ‘pro’ and I’d be the first to bow to such since I know nothing of TV production and it wasn’t explicit what the NN criteria were anyway.

But then
the Paperboy controversy! Adam and Maria raise huge issues about class structure in Britain and child poverty and rights globally and so much the better if the film is open to interpretation – then the debate comes out.

My son started a paper round at 15 and was paid so little and had to cycle up such steep hills that when he gave it up I didn’t feel that he was a morally impaired ‘shirker’ but was quite glad that he recognized a con when he saw one. On the other side of the track, I once had the privilege to visit squatter dwellings on the railway sidings in Calcutta. I stooped down to enter the little corrugated shack, and there in the corner was a boy of about 10 sticking together the sort of photo frames that you see in any shop on the high street. Opposite sat an older man who I took to be his father but only because I was desperately trying to put the scene into a kinder frame of reference. I asked my host why the man didn’t do the work and he said it was the nimbleness of fingers (possibly).

Even though I’d rather my son did a paper round than live in a squatter settlement, I believe there are common issues around when labor is and isn’t good for children and that since children are the future of the planet, supporting this debate is a more effective way to sustain the planet than creating markets for carbon trading – not least because I imagine that the high proportion of children living with despicably low resources on this planet would look very confused if you told them that you were trying to ‘sustain’ it. And that dovetails with Malawi. So, I’d like to see Paperboy and Malawi shown, and discussed in the studio, and then maybe we can begin to reach critical mass instead of persistently dissecting North and South, East and West.

I would also like to mention another film that is out there and which demonstrates that even ‘new age’ solutions for ‘development’ and ‘environment’ and ‘ethics’ need to remain open to criticism

And then of course there is 1984 – and so the discussion goes on from child labour to surveillance – it could be a full NN! And then there’s George himself – certainly a national treasure and doesn’t he have an anniversary this year? Re. Adam’s reply to Maria - at first I thought like Maria, ‘What a cheek’ and then I thought, ‘Ah, yes, clever Adam, one cannot assume these days that the British public is familiar with the works of George Orwell’. But Maria, you did ask for clarification not justification


And do our feet in modern time
Walk upon England's shells of egg?
And does the holy News of Night
Of England's ci-tizens now beg?
And do our e-mails here supply
The UGM the Beeb requires?
And will our minds be opened by
Just showing short confusing films?

Aaah, that’s mean – I really think that NN is one of the few platforms for debate in the UK and it would be great to have more deconstruction.

In response to Andrew, comment 94:

There is only one reference in the film to Mary's Meals in the form of a tag line, that reads: Mary's Meals - Headquarters.

This is used to back-up our statement about the charity’s efficiency, because the headquarters looks like someone’s hobby shed in the middle of the sticks (to me).
I think this helps illustrate how a charity can feed a child in Africa for a whole school year, under ÂŁ6.

The film promotes the concept and practice of the charity, not the company. Scottish International Relief runs Mary’s Meals but wasn’t mentioned once, it has only arisen from this message board, not the Malawi film.

Greg

‘MČč±ôČč·ÉŸ±â€™
Video Editor

the Cyprus documentary was perfect!!

CHINA - so simple in its presentation that its message left a lasting, thought-provoking imprint on my mind. Surely this is how a 2-minute documentary is best served. Excellent.

In response to Chris (comment 97), I am sorry you feel neglected – that is not what we want at all! The message we wanted to convey is not so much to do with London but more to do with the postmodern condition affecting a great number of people. In an increasingly interconnected world, this condition expresses itself through feelings of in-betweenness and the increasing existence of multiple identities. This particularly affects people in metropolises such as London, because historically, levels of migration have tended to be higher in these areas. Furthermore, we have lived in Shepherd’s Bush for many years and it seemed natural for us to film there. We had such positive meetings on the day we were filming, which inspired us to refer to a “one London” in the film. We hope our film will convey a message of unity, not only amongst the different backgrounds within London, but also throughout the UK.

Paper rounds are child labour; ÂŁ10-15 to get up at 6.30am every day (or even 3 times a week), walk a fair few miles lugging a massive bag of newspapers, sometimes in the pouring rain and/or freezing cold, and all this before you even go to school? Its disgraceful! And the kids are right, a tenner cant buy much these days, even if all they spend it on is sweets and magazines.

ID Cards is a great idea, not too well executed though. I think people are missing the point of this one, its only giving a worst case scenario t make us think about the situation that our government ios getting us into and how it could, potentially, effect us all.

Malawi was good, but its been done so many times, same goes for the popular choice, London. Its a nice film that makes you go 'oooh yay multiculturalism' but i learned nothing at all from it.
Sweden and Carbon were terribly dull, though i commend the subject matters.
Cyprus taught me something so that was definitly worth watching and it was well edited.
I think my favourites have to be China and ±«Óătvless. China made me consider the subject in a different light and was really well explained with the books, especially in 2 minutes. I liked ±«Óătvless because it concentrated on a really regular guy, and highlighted the problem of not having a problem. Brilliant.
Disqualify Columbia because it really has been around for ages on YouTube.

As a supporter of Mary's Meals I was pleased to see the work of this charity highlighted in MALAWI. It is essential for children to be educated to enable them to escape from poverty but so many families in Africa can not afford to both feed and educate their children. Mary's Meals provides nourishment and gives Malawi children the chance to end their poverty through education.

And do our feet in modern time
Walk upon England's shells of egg?
And does the holy News of Night
Of England's ci-tizens now beg?
And do our e-mails here supply
The UGM the Beeb requires?
And will our minds be opened by
All that the cho-sen film inspires?

Tell me I'm not, a postmodern!
Tell me I should connect between!
I say but I, watched Brixton burn!
And, I have lived in Golders Green!
I shall not feast on eels and liquor,
Nor squeeze a dho-sa in my hand.
Till we have spread London's bonhom
Throughout old England's hinterland.

Dear Natasha, your film is beautiful, I wish you luck. I saw a post by a Liverpuddlian complaining about southern bias, that’s all. I lived in London for over 20 years, half in the north and half in the south and I still worship on the South Bank (Globe, Tate, NFT) - some candles floating on the Thames wouldn’t go amiss! But most people I knew have gone - my school friends went down under, university friends went back up north and sarf London friends went west on the celtic tiger or I left them with my ex. There is a film about Villa Rd and the last resident of Agnes Place that depicts everything we ever believed in; like a tribe wiped out. But they were good times when second hand clothes and 'homemade' were cool, and we made the most of vegetables. But I just feel that the problems of e.g. Anne Crier’s constituency where I also lived for a number of years, will require deep economic solutions not, if I dare be so dismissive, light cultural ones. As I say, that’s my personal viewpoint - I would like to see the winning film have a bit more grit. Grit for Brit!

The Malawi film gets my vote.
I'd never heard of Mary's Meals until watching the video but I think it's a great idea, plus, nearly all of the money that's donated is not wasted in administration, etc.

Malawi gets my vote ---- well done Joe for raising our wareness at a time when we all plan to over indulge!

Malawi! Shocking and eye opening. Come on people
what are we like!? Give a little.

I was touched by Cyprus, No: 10, which brought many a tear to my eye, especially when Elene said it was the first time she had seen her father cry - I found it emotional without being soppy and it certainly had punch with facts and figures as well as the personal touch. I have been to Cyprus as a tourist and also got to see a small part of this aspect of the country but not in the way it was portrayed by this short film - well done! Good luck!

Malawi gets my vote. A timely reminder when so may of us are about to over indulge. Time to share with others.

Malawi does it for me.A young person taking forward an issue that is simple to remedy if we all rise to the challange seems particularily relevant. Previous comments about the validity of comparing the cost of feeding a child in Malawi with the cost of an ice cream need to be put into context. Most people today understand such a clear and stark comparison.

Malawi is the clear winner for me. I have never known real hunger and in the circumstances these children find themselves in, my days would have been spent not in school but in a desperate search for food.

Yes i vote for Malawi as i know SIR it's a well organised charity run from Dalmally in Scotland by the most loving kind and genuine people i have ever met. Good Luck! Brian.

This amateur drivel is not what I want Newsnight to waste its time on. ±«Óătv movies are fine - YouTube, MySpace and a host of other sites provide plenty of outlets for this sort of stuff. What I want from Newsnight is serious, professional, indepth coverage. This is a half baked attempt to do 'accessible' because the whole of the ±«Óătv is obsessed with it - or maybe it's just cheaper than paying professional reporters, camerament etc. God help us

Just seen the broadcast of 'London' and can't bring myself to watch the others, given such a smug worthy precedent.

Typical self-congratulatory toss of the kind usually slotted in after C4 News these last 20 years. More bombs, please.

Adam - technology passed me by a while ago, I thought the jargon was User Generated Material but now you mention it, I do think I remember hearing Content - you'll have guessed from the rest of my post that my mind has not really come out of the 1980s yet - I had children and 18 years later I looked up and found I was surrounded by strange accronyms! My son is WII-ing in his bedroom as I write - apparently Gen2 accronyms aren't even accronymic! But I didn't realise Unions still exist, aren't meetings of more than 2 people prohibited these days? (Sorry, sarcasm - LFWHFS). But on a positive note, I'm getting to grips with urban slang - 'foodad' is a favourite - as in, 'What is that peculiar foodad protruding from your bunghole, Oliver?'

Vote MALAWI! Nice work x