Awards ceremony and screening

On March 6, 2026, an awards ceremony and screening of awarded films were held at Sophia University, with the winners selected after the final judging round. Valeria Klein, who won the First Prize, said, "I learned about sustainability through the revitalization of my hometown. A sustainable future can be created if we cherish our community and feel a sense of closeness to it. Thank you for recognizing this story."

MOMI (Moka Yata and Midori Tohyo), who received the Inspiration Award, reflected, "Through filmmaking, interest in sustainability at Sophia University has increased even further. At the same time, we feel that it has brought about a change in our own actions."

Anna Tryfonova, who received a honorable mention, said, "It has been my long-held dream to try my hand at directing a film. By applying to this contest, I was able to take a step towards that dream."

Additionally, video messages from award winners who were unable to attend in person were shown at the venue along with their works.

Kale1doBurst Studio, the recipient of the 2nd Prize, explained the background of their work, saying, "Especially now, when the world situation seems unstable, we created this piece based on the idea of 'Can't we dream of a peaceful world?'" They also stated, "Sustainability is not limited to environmental issues, but is deeply connected to our daily choices and the way society functions. We want to spread responsible behavior through our daily actions and media production."

The studio also won an Inspiration Award for its work. "We created this piece based on the idea that small everyday actions can make a big difference. Through the story of a man who chooses action and compassion over anger, we expressed the importance of caring for the environment and passing on responsible habits to the next generation," they said, explaining the background of the production. They added, "Sustainability is not a distant ideal, but something that can be achieved through the accumulation of small daily choices. We are grateful that this story has been recognized."

Nathan Bessonneau, who won the Inspiration Award, said, "I had no prior experience in video production, but this competition gave me the opportunity to try something new." He said he worked on the project while simultaneously preparing for his master's thesis and oral examination, and reflected, "The constraints actually gave me direction and momentum for my creative process, allowing me to move the work forward."

The award winners' thoughts and the background of their work were presented through the screen, making it a memorable experience for the attendees in the venue.

On the day of the awards ceremony, Professor John Williams of the Department of English, Faculty of Foreign Studies, Sophia University, and model and creator Lina Mirai, who promotes sustainable lifestyles, were present on behalf of the judges. In her comments, Ms. Mirai stated that many of the submitted works "possessed a unique perspective and a strong message," and that the works provided an opportunity to reconsider questions such as "What is sustainability?" and "What does it mean to live in harmony with the Earth?" Professor Williams added that when thinking about sustainability, "it is important to pause and re-examine the community to which we belong and our relationships with the people around us," emphasizing the importance of being aware of connections with society and the local community. Judges Kazumasa Sashide, Professor Gregory Ruzzin, and Miyu Maemoto, who were unable to attend, sent video messages of congratulations to the award winners.

After the awards ceremony, a reception was held at the Faculty Club on the 17th floor of Building 6, starting with a greeting and toast from President Sugimura.