Message from the UFPFF 2012 Grand Prix director Ms. Natsumi Hashimoto

We received message from the UFPFF 2012 Grand Prix director Ms. Natsumi Hashimoto

To all the people involved in UFPFF (United for Peace Film Festival),

I am Natsumi Hashimoto, representing the team that made the film “Know, and Change”. I am very much obliged for having been able to participate in this extraordinary event where we all gather to “change the world” with the power of films.

The reason behind my participation in this event is that the intention of this event, which is to “disseminate the idea of peace day through films”, truly resonated with my feelings. I had the strong desire to inspire people to take actions that would influence countless lives and change the world for the better. Therefore, I am extremely grateful to be rewarded with the grand prize for the film that conveys our sincere hopes and wishes.

Our film “Know, and Change” seeks to inform the young people all over the world of the concealed reality, so that they can work as one to make the world a better place.
I would like everyone to know that many people were involved in making this film: the people in the city of Cagayan de Oro, the members of the Kuya Fish Campaign, and of course, Issey Tanaka and Kris Gebe. The most memorable moment was when they all cried with joy after I told them about the great news.

What UFPFF celebrates is the significance of “peace day” in which we act and wish for a bright future where all the people can come together in peace. It is crucial that we enlarge the scale of this event, so that more people can get involved in it.

I hope that this occasion will lead to a lasting relationship between my team and UFPFF. Our duty is to make this event widely known and maintain hope for the future ? and we will do our best to accomplish this commission. We wish to sincerely thank all the people for providing us with the opportunity to take part in such a meaningful event.

By Natsumi Hashimoto

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I am thankful for being given the chance to publicize the still devastated conditions of Mindanao and call out for cooperation. Nonetheless, this is not a goal for us ? we will continue to make every endeavor to help the people surmount this predicament.

When we embark on volunteer activities, it always starts with the motivation to help others; yet, I have come to realize that what we obtain is far greater than what we give. Even a humble student like myself had been able to gain support of so many people on the way, when I mustered up the courage to take the first step.
So to end, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the people that I have encountered through my career.

Thank you.

By Issey Tanaka
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My sincerest thank you to those people who are part of the success of the video (Issey Tanaka, Natsumi Hashimoto and her team, and Kuya Fish Campaign members). Also, thank you UFPFF for presenting this kind of activity that does not only promote peace but also gives opportunity for people around the world to be heard.

By Kris Gebe

Translated by Tatsuro Kubo