The 19th MY HERO International Film Festival is delighted to announce that the Music Video, NON VIOLENCE, has been selected as the winner of the 2023 Sing for Hope Music Video - Student/Mentor Award. Said the judges. “Non-Violence is a powerful Song with a very timely and important message, Thank you!”
NON VIOLENCE is a music video from Sierra Leone directed by: Sinbob, produced by Mendy Kanu and Seedoff Sesay and stars: T man, 2 step, Junks, T Young, Sinbob, Snazzy, Seedoff. The concept for the song and video came from Principal Mendy Kanu who decided to use his school's resources to create a non-violent song to share within his community to motivate the local youth and politicians ‘to stay away from violence.’
COFT Music GroupMendy Kanu
Mendy is the principal of The Children Foundations of Technology School- Sierra Leone. The goal of the foundation is to foster relationships amongst children and youth within and outside Sierra Leone by enhancing the full participation of children in the development process in Sierra Leone and to alleviate suffering amongst children and youth generally in difficult circumstances. Their mission is to help children and youth by minimizing the high level of illiteracy through IT and Digital Media Skills. Read more HERE. To find out more, go to the school's website: www.cfotsl.weebly.com or find the Foundation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cfotsierraleone
You can watch the video HERE
MY HERO interviewed Mendy Kanu about the process of making the video:
CFOT Music GroupMendy KanuWhy were you drawn to making this music video?
The whole song came about when politicians were fighting for power and killing innocent citizens for their selfish interests this year. One morning I was at home hearing so much gunfire nearby and I started thinking about what I should do for my voice to be heard and reach these people, so they can stay away from violence. I talked with my school music team and told them that we need to do a non-violence song that can sensitize the youth and politicians to stay away from violence. We did it and it was played by major radio stations and TV stations in Sierra Leone. After the election in June to today we have peace. CFOT contributes to peace during and after our election. It was hectic for us to do it, but we believe that music videos help tell the stories more.
COFTMendy Kanu
The CFOT music group is comprised of 20 artists. We select the artists that have disgruntled stories with street life backgrounds to sing on this peace song and by that way they will be able to pass the message well to their peers, whom they were in the street together, to stay away from violence and maintain peace.
Who was involved in making, producing and funding the video?
I funded 95% of the project from Audio to Video with my little income with a little support from Sinneh Sesay who rented a standard camera for us. Seedoff Sesay is the producer and Sinneh Sesay is the cameraman that shot the video.
Who wrote the music and lyrics?
Myself and the CFOT ALL STARS TEAM.
Could you describe the process of making the film? What were some of the challenges, successes, and high points?
So many challenges. Such as locations, Transportation from one location to the other and food to eat. But at the end of the day, we all have a dream to achieve, so we persevered, ready to do our best.
Radio MercuryMendy Kanu
Said Mendy, "MY HERO we are grateful to announce as winner of the Sing for Hope Music Video award. This encouragement gives us more speed to continue to do more because we now believe that our work is appreciated by people around the world. Thank you ! Thank you!! Thank you All!"
Sing for Hope
The Sing For Hope Music Video Award is a new award category at the MY HERO International Film Festival which is sponsored by Sing for Hope, a nonprofit organization that calls upon the power of music and the arts to uplift and inspire communities around the world. The award recognizes the outstanding contributions of songwriters, who use their creative talents to shed light on inspiring heroes — everyday citizens, remarkable acts of kindness, or individuals and communities who have overcome adversity through creative endeavours. Said Jeanne Meyers, Co-founder and Director of The MY HERO Project. “The addition of this new award provides more opportunity to amplify messages of hope and foster creativity,”
The prize is funded by Sing for Hope board member Eva Haller. Winners are chosen in both youth and professional categories. Recipients will share a $2,000 cash prize to further support their artistic endeavors. "I am so pleased about the relationship Sing for Hope is building with the MY HERO Project,” said Eva Haller, Sing for Hope Board Chair Emeritus. “I am thrilled, excited, and proud of both organizations."
The Sing for Hope Music Video Award is one of many Special Awards that make up the MY HERO International Film Festival, which seeks to honor local and global heroes working for positive change in the world.
About the MY HERO International Film Festival:
The My Hero Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to showcasing films celebrating the power of the human spirit. Hosted by Eva Haller, a prominent philanthropist and advocate for social change, the festival provides a platform for filmmakers to share inspirational stories of everyday heroes. Thanks to generous sponsors, prizes are awarded to elementary, middle school, high school, college, and professionals in a variety of categories including documentary, narrative, music video, animation, experimental, and more.
The festival aims to inspire audiences to recognize the heroism in their own lives and encourage positive actions in their communities. Learn more.
Join us for the Awards Celebration on Saturday, November 18th at 2pm (PST). Festival winners and their heroes will be on hand to answer questions and share their stories. Short clips from select films will be screened. Awards are given to winners at Elementary, Middle School, High School, College and Professional levels. Register HERE.
Page created on 11/6/2023 1:29:13 PM
Last edited 12/6/2023 12:12:15 PM
