Short Film Contest 2025 – Winner announcement

International Schools Association

In 2020, the International Schools Association launched a Short Film Contest, inviting member schools to prepare and present Short Films on different global issues:

2021: Internationalism.
2022: Climate Justice.
2023: Well-Being and Mental Health.
2024: The Challenge of Managing World Heritage
2025: Leadership Across Oceans: Uniting Cultures to preserve Marine Ecosystems.

A number of member schools participated and a jury of two ISA Board members was set up to judge the short films. These Board members did not have their schools as contestants in the Short Film Contest.

Jury

Mrs. Narin Stassis – Chair of the ISA Board and ISA Representative to the UN in New York, United States.

Mr. Iskandar Rizal Hamzah- Director at Cempaka School, Malaysia Vice Chair of ISA.

WINNER

We are pleased to announce that the winner of the Short Film Contest 2025 is SMP Islam Sabilillah Malang, Indonesia

Sinopsis: Film title: Ripples in a Glass Box

In a world where climate challenges often feel too distant or too overwhelming, “Ripples in a Glass Box” tells a grounded yet hopeful story of youth leadership born not from coastlines or government halls—but from the quiet corners of a classroom.

Rhea, a shy middle school student in urban Indonesia, is chosen to represent her school in an international youth project focused on marine ecosystem preservation. Her teammates—Faza, a curious inventor from Sumatra, and Aqila, a passionate poet and cultural advocate from Kalimantan—share one thing in common: none of them live near the ocean. Rather than viewing this distance as a limitation, they embrace it as a challenge. Through virtual collaboration, the trio begins a journey of discovery—both of the sea and of themselves. Rhea initiates a plastic footprint awareness campaign in her school, using a humble classroom aquarium as a powerful metaphor for the ocean’s fragility. Faza builds a homemade pH sensor to demonstrate how everyday household waste can harm aquatic life. Aqila writes and performs poetry inspired by the sea’s silent suffering, bridging emotion and knowledge through culture.

Though each of them acts locally, they are united globally—sharing progress, doubts, and triumphs through late-night video calls, cultural exchange, and mutual encouragement. At moments of doubt, when their efforts seem small and insignificant, they remind each other: a ripple may start in a glass box, but its impact can cross oceans.

“Ripples in a Glass Box” is a heartfelt and empowering short film about leadership, identity, and hope. It shows that even without ships, beaches, or grand campaigns, young people can lead with courage, creativity, and connection. Through science, storytelling, and cultural pride, Rhea, Faza, and Aqila prove that the ocean doesn’t need proximity—it needs protectors. Their story is a call to action: that the preservation of our marine ecosystems doesn’t start in the deep—it starts in us.

The team is commended for keeping to the brief and providing a clear message on the theme. The school and team will be contacted by ISA, which will present a certificate and the prize money.

Behind the Film: