Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 15 December — The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced the 2025 recipients of their joint initiative, the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival, during a ceremony that took place in the framework of the 11th UNAOC Global Forum hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

A total of 32 films from 24 countries were selected for distinctions by UNAOC and IOM, as well as 21 partner organizations, based on their insightful and engaging exploration of themes related to migration, diversity, and social inclusion. The films originated from the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, the Arab Republic of Egypt, El Salvador, France, India, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Singapore, Spain, the State of Palestine, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic of Uganda, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In his remarks, H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for UNAOC and UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, underscored, “In today’s global context, when our world often feels divided, and when narratives of fear and exclusion can overshadow those of empathy and solidarity, the courage and creativity of these young filmmakers offer hope. They remind us that diversity is not a weakness, but a strength; and that human dignity must remain at the center of our collective efforts.”

The recipients of this year’s PLURAL+ recognitions showcased remarkable creativity and storytelling, capturing diverse themes with profound impact.

From the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ms. Kovsar Gurban accepted the International Jury Recognition in the Up to 12 Years Old Category for her stop-motion animated short film, Black and White, revisiting the powerful poem “And You Call Me Colored” through handcrafted visuals to challenge the notion of color as a defining trait.

In the 13 to 17 Years Old Category, Ms. Eneide Germano from the Republic of Angola was honored with the International Jury Recognition for her piece “The Voice No One Used to Hear – Social Inclusion, Diversity, and Bullying”. Through art and storytelling, the short film explores from her experience the themes of exclusion, identity, and belonging, offering a message of hope to those who have felt unheard or different.

The International Jury Recognition in the 18 to 25 Years Old Category was granted to Ms. Eunkyo Choi from the Republic of Korea, for her film “Small Courage to Change”. Focusing on the subtle moments of discomfort that arise from encounters with people different to us, her film encourages viewers to embrace empathy and recognize the value of diversity.

This year’s Special Recognition for Combating Xenophobia and Discrimination was presented to Ms. Catherine Adrienne Oliveira for her impactful film Resilience. Exploring the emotional journey of a migrant in France, and caught between complex feelings of connection and alienation, her short delves into themes of uprooting, identity, and self-discovery.

The Special Recognition for Responsible Narratives on Migration went to Ms. Alejandra Ortiz de la Luz, Mr. Axel Daniel Farfán Concepción, Mr. Abdiel Rodas González, Mr. Ricardo Alan Ronquillo Xicali, Mr. Eduardo Ehécatl Flores Amaya, Mr. Emanuel López Burgos, Ms. Tamara González Mendoza, and Mr. Jesús Sánchez Vizcaya from Mexico; for their film the Last Shall Be the First. Through the lens of a young migrant boy, his story of strength, resilience, and faith challenges stereotypes and invites viewers to see migration with empathy and dignity.

All of the PLURAL+ videos will be available online on the PLURAL+ website: https://pluralplus.unaoc.org/2025-recipients/