Gan Jing World, a New York-based digital platform that seeks to promote kindness and trust through technology, has announced the winners of its 2024 “Kindness Is Cool” Video Awards. The global competition, which celebrates acts of compassion, drew more than 26,000 submissions from participants in over 50 countries.
The contest invited users to submit videos showcasing inspiring acts of kindness using the hashtag #KindnessIsCool on the platform. According to Gan Jing World, entries were presented in 11 languages and collectively amassed over 10 million views across 150 nations. Winners were revealed on Saturday and will be celebrated on March 28 at an event in New York City’s Times Square that will highlight their stories for a global audience.
Hurricane Relief Effort Wins Top Prize
The Gold Award and a $10,000 cash prize went to singer-songwriter James H. White for his video, “Hero in Uniform: Army Sergeant Leads Hurricane Helene Relief Drive.” The video honors Army Sgt. Michael Sharpes, who organized a veteran-led relief effort following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Inspired by Sharpes’s leadership, White composed the song “Born to Rise,” which celebrates resilience and unity during difficult times.White has pledged to donate his prize money to two charities: Save Our Allies, which assists Americans and allies during crises, and Aerial Recovery, which supports veterans and first responders in disaster relief and anti-human trafficking efforts worldwide.
Silver Award Spotlights Quiet Generosity
Filmmaker Audrey received the Silver Award and a $1,000 prize for her short film “Old Shoes.” Based on true events, the film tells the story of a young woman who repeatedly finds an old pair of shoes on her doorstep. Initially suspecting her elderly neighbor, she later discovers an unexpected act of kindness. Gan Jing World praised the film’s emotional depth, saying it highlights how small gestures can have profound impacts.Bronze Awards Highlight Diverse Acts of Compassion
Ten Bronze Awards, each accompanied by a $500 prize, recognized a range of creative projects focused on kindness:- HAIR ASMR CEYHUN was honored for “The Shocking Finale! SECOND CHANCE! SHORT FILM,” which addresses homelessness through emotional storytelling.
- Cast By Light’s “Be With You” explored reconciliation across generations within a culturally divided family.
- Lumen Academy in Boston won for an “umbrella of kindness” project created by third- and fourth-grade students that included posters and essays promoting compassion.
- Teacher Li from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School in New York was recognized for the Kindness Shorts Series aimed at reducing bullying.
- Marco in America’s “Prom Dresses and Suits Giveaway” highlighted community generosity through clothing donations.
- Quinn Fernanda Hutauruk received recognition for her performance of the song “Kindness Is Cool.”
- State Junior High School 29 Batam in Indonesia was awarded for organizing a school-wide kindness initiative.
- Clearview Kidsland earned praise for videos showcasing children volunteering at food banks.
- “A 20-Year Invoice” illustrated redemption through compassion in its narrative.
- Truth Video Maker’s Japanese short film “My Wish” focused on familial love and connection.
Student Filmmakers Recognized
Gan Jing World also introduced a new Student Voices School Award category this year to honor student filmmakers. Two Vietnamese universities—Ho Chi Minh City University of Education and HCMC University of Technology and Education—received $500 each for projects celebrating acts of kindness.Honorable Mentions
Honorable mentions went to two additional entries: “Our World,” which features a young girl preparing breakfast for her grandmother while reflecting on inner beauty; and “Fable,” an animated retelling of “The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs,” offering lessons on gratitude over greed.Gan Jing World’s Broader Mission
Founded with a mission to promote positive digital engagement, Gan Jing World recently launched Ethical AI technology to create a safer online environment. According to an announcement earlier this month, this system uses advanced deep learning models to filter inappropriate content across video, image, text, and audio formats while prioritizing content promoting mental well-being and kindness.The Ethical AI system includes three key modules: Video Quality Rating evaluates image quality and appropriateness; Inappropriate Content Detection identifies harmful material such as violence or drug-related content with over 90 percent accuracy; and Textual Insights analyzes tone, sentiment, and emotions in written content while flagging inappropriate language for younger users.
“Creating a safe digital environment, especially for the next generation, has been at the heart of Gan Jing World,” the company said in its announcement. The platform aims to foster a positive digital community free from gratuitous violence or harmful behavior while emphasizing user privacy by pledging not to track or sell personal data such as likes or location information.
Family-Oriented Streaming Service
In addition to its social media platform, Gan Jing World operates GJW+, a family-oriented streaming service launched last year that offers entertainment curated with traditional values in mind. The platform’s name—Gan Jing—means “clean” in Chinese, reflecting its commitment to providing content free from explicit material or gratuitous violence while encouraging meaningful engagement through non-addictive algorithms designed to prevent endless scrolling.Gan Jing World also provides tools such as live streams, polls, topic discussions, and hashtag events like #KindnessIsCool to empower creators ranging from vloggers to filmmakers while fostering connections among users worldwide.
From NTD News
