International Youth Day 2025: Cinema and Dialogue – For a Sustainable Future
On the occasion of International Youth Day 2025, the United Nations in Vietnam and its partners introduce a series of non-profit film screenings, contributing to the gratitude and inspiration activities with the theme “Local Youth Action for SDGs and a Sustainable Future”. The films selected for screening on this occasion have brought diverse perspectives on inequality, memories and the journey of growing up, while affirming the role of young people in creating and making positive changes.
Opening the series of activities, on August 12, 2025, at the United Nations Building, three short films “My voice”, “Listen to her” and “My life I don’t want” were screened.The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy in Vietnam organized a screening. The works depict gender-based violence in Cameroon, the paradoxes of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the unjust journey of a young girl from Myanmar. Through cinema, the event not only recreates the common global reality but also encourages young people to share experiences, ask questions and propose solutions to build safer, more equal communities.
50 young people attended the film screening and discussion “Reaching the Unheard Voices”. Source: Organization board.
On August 15, the documentary “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution” took audiences back to Camp Jened in the US in the 1970s – where the movement for disabled rights began. The film won an award at Sundance, was nominated for an Oscar, and now becomes a source of inspiration for young people in work and creativity.
Information on screening of the movie “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution”. Source: Organization board
On August 19, the movie“From Seed to Cup: Following the Tastemakers”(From Beans to Brew: A Journey into the Lives of Coffee Workers) presented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) focuses on the lives of workers in the coffee industry. With Vietnam being a leading coffee exporting country, the screening opens up dialogue on green jobs, sustainable development and career opportunities for young people..
Information on screening of the film “From Seed to Cup of Coffee: Following the footsteps of the flavor creator”. Source: Organization board
Closing the film series, “The Children in the Mist” – a documentary that was in the Top 15 Oscars 2023 has returned to the screen with the coming-of-age story of Di, a H’Mong girl in Sa Pa. “The Children in the Mist” marked three years of filming by director Ha Le Diem – It is a quiet observation about youth, culture and the right to self-determination of teenagers in the context of many social prejudices.Organized by UNESCO, CJ Group and CGV, the screening is not only a cinematic experience but also a connecting space between the director, film crew and other young people to share about creativity, education and social change.
Information on screening of the movie “Children in the Mist”. Source: Organization board.
In addition to experiencing art from domestic and foreign cinema, International Youth Day 2025 also gathers and spreads initiatives from young people nationwide, focusing on diverse topics from environmental protection, health improvement to promoting equality and social inclusion.
The team presented creative ideas for water in the UNESCO Water Challenge 2025. Source: Organization board
“Young people are not only beneficiaries of development but also its creators. They are innovators, leaders, organizers and visionaries, shaping local realities in bold and creative ways.”– Mr. Jonathan Baker,UNESCO Representative and Chair of the United Nations Working Group on Youth (UNTGAY) in Viet Namshare inYouth Initiative Day for Sustainable Development Goals.