Iitate Village VR Video Wins Gold Award at German Film Festival!

The VR 360-degree video "Madei; Sincere Way of Life is Coming Back" (Japanese title: "Madei no Kokoro Megurite"), produced by Iitate Village in Fukushima Prefecture, recently won the Gold Award in the Web TV: 360° Virtual Reality category at Germany's World Media Festival.

"Madei" is a local dialect term expressing the feeling of warmly welcoming someone, as if enveloping them with both hands. "Madei: Sincere Way of Life is Coming Back" was conceived in spring 2017, following the lifting of evacuation orders for most of the village (except for the Nagane Administrative District) after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Its purpose was to share the village's efforts to rebuild and deepen communication. This project compiles the village's beautiful nature and rich history—its very assets—along with the joyful voices of residents returning after the evacuation order was lifted and the mayor's sentiments, as well as the situation in the Nagane Administrative District, the only area still designated as difficult to return to. It is presented as a trilogy of approximately 5-minute videos, utilizing cutting-edge technology like drones for filming. Beyond being published on the village's official Facebook and YouTube channels, it is also used in experiential classes at the village's elementary school.

Upon receiving news of the award, Iitate Village Mayor Norio Sugano stated, "While some pointed out that last year's return was premature, a year has passed, movement has started in the village, and light is gradually appearing. The word 'reconstruction' implies 'returning to the original state,' but the village will not return to its former self. Building a new village cannot be achieved solely by our villagers' efforts; it requires the wisdom and assistance of people in Japan and around the world. To earn everyone's support, we will continue sharing the story of Iitate Village as it unfolds." Masashi Yagita of Dentsu Inc.'s Creative Planning Division 4, who oversaw production, stated: "Even after the return began, many children couldn't immediately come back to Iitate due to various anxieties. We wanted them to experience the village as if they were actually there. The VR video made dreams come true in the educational setting," he said, reiterating the role and value the video fulfilled.

The World Media Festival ( www.worldmediafestival.org/ ) is an international competition for visual communication media, targeting corporate videos and educational programs. Held in Hamburg, Germany since 2000, it honors communications that effectively convey messages to their audience while demonstrating artistic and technical quality. This year saw entries from approximately 800 works across 37 countries and regions. With its Gold Award win, "The Spirit of Madai" is now nominated for the category Grand Prize and the overall Grand Prix, to be announced at the awards ceremony on May 16.

■Madaio no Kokoro Megurite (Japanese Version)

Vol. 1　https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fp4TlesiNA

The beautiful nature and rich history that are assets of Iitate Village are depicted one after another.

Vol. 2　https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0f7wZHU82Q

Introduces the voices of joy from people who returned to the village after the evacuation order was lifted and the mayor. Image shows the "Rebirth Cherry Blossom Festival."

Vol. 3　https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swoXjsbyvtg

The "Nagatsuchi District" remains an area where evacuation orders have not yet been lifted. Photography was conducted with permission and under time restrictions.

■June 8, 2017: VR Experience Class held at the Iitate Village Kusano, Iihiki, and Usui Elementary School Joint Temporary School Building in neighboring Kawamata Town

"Wow!" "The stars are beautiful!" Children wearing VR goggles stood up from their chairs, looked around in circles, and instinctively reached out to touch what they saw.