The event marked the grand finale of a nationwide PSA contest supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the National Institute of Fine Arts (NIFA), and Plan International Laos.

This youth-led initiative comes at a pivotal moment. According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, around 400,000 Lao nationals were employed in neighboring countries in 2024, with nearly half working without proper documentation. Combined with an unknown number of human trafficking cases, these figures highlight the urgent need for peer-driven awareness campaigns that speak directly to young people—encouraging safe migration practices and vigilance against trafficking risks.

Launched in 2019 by Plan International Laos, the PSA Contest empowers adolescents and youth to use filmmaking as a platform for social change. Each year, participants address critical community issues—from gender-based violence to this year’s focus on human trafficking and migration safety.

“Today, we are not just watching videos; we are witnessing the rise of a powerful youth movement,” said Ms. Carol Mortensen, Country Director of Plan International Laos. “These young filmmakers are using their creativity as a force for change, unmasking the hidden dangers of human trafficking and unsafe migration. Their work shows that when we empower youth, they don’t just join the conversation—they lead it. We are immensely proud to help amplify their voices for a safer, more informed future for all young people in Laos.”

The partnership with the National Institute of Fine Arts (NIFA) played a crucial role in helping the teams develop both their technical and artistic skills to create compelling and high-quality productions.

“Creativity is the voice of understanding,” said Mr. Khamsouk Keovongsay, Director of NIFA. “In this contest, we witnessed young Lao creators harnessing the power of film to address one of the most critical challenges of their generation. They transformed invisible threats into vivid, relatable stories that warn, inform, and empower. The National Institute of Fine Arts is proud to stand behind these talented youth who are not only building their creative capacities but also using their art to foster a more vigilant and safer society.”

The 20 finalist teams were selected from a pool of over 50 applicants. Their films were divided into two key themes—ten exploring the devastating consequences of human trafficking and ten promoting safe migration pathways. The young participants spoke passionately about their inspiration and message.

“We joined the PSA contest because we wanted to make our voices heard and expose the unseen impacts of migration that many youths and parents ignore. Labour migration isn’t just an economic issue—it’s about our lives,” shared a member of Team ZCD.

“We hope our video helps young people and parents in rural communities think carefully before trusting promises of ‘easy jobs with high pay and no paperwork’ from anyone,” added a member of Team Ngua Long Foung.

The winning PSAs will be featured in nationwide awareness campaigns, ensuring these powerful youth-driven messages reach communities across Laos. Through their creativity and conviction, these young filmmakers are not only telling stories—they are shaping a movement for safer, more informed migration and a future free from exploitation.

KPL