ICHCAP

The International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP)  and UNESCO Jakarta Office hosted the “2025 Asia-Pacific ICH Creative Content Contest Screening” in Baucau, Timor-Leste, on November 4. The event aimed to shed new light on the value of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) through creative digital content and to strengthen the creative capacities of local youth.

The screening featured three Timor-Leste award-winning films from the “2024 ichLinks Video Competition” held the previous year. Co-organized by ICHCAP and the UNESCO Jakarta Office, the regional contest encourages young people across the Asia-Pacific region to document and transmit their traditional heritage through digital media.

The three films showcased were:

Each participant visited local communities across Timor-Leste, conducting on-site research and creatively capturing the country’s unique ICH and traditions through filmmaking.

In addition to the film screenings, the event included an interactive discussion session in which local contributors explored various approaches to safeguarding ICH through film and digital platforms, sharing diverse perspectives and experiences.

Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa, Director of UNESCO Jakarta Office, emphasized the central role of youth in safeguarding heritage, stating, “When empowered with creativity and opportunity, they transform traditions into sources of inspiration, innovation, and inclusive growth.”

Milee Choi, Section Chief, Digital Content Development Team, ICHCAP, said, “This screening provided a clear view of how the passion and creativity of Timor-Leste’s youth have reimagined ICH through digital content. It was a meaningful event that connected heritage with innovation and showcased the identity and creativity of local communities to the world through cultural storytelling.”

The screening brought together representatives from the Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO, local government officials, educators, students, and cultural practitioners, who collectively recognized the importance of community-centered ICH safeguarding and active youth participation.

Looking ahead, ICHCAP plans to continue supporting young creators across the Asia-Pacific region, enabling more youth to document and reinterpret their ICH through digital content creation.