Victory trophies: Representatives of the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation receive the winning trophy and certificate for their documentary Jungle Beat, which won the first prize in the reportage-documentary film category. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyet

HA NOI  (VNS) — A photo essay by Vietnamese photographer Huynh Lam on forests and their role in dealing with climate change has won first prize at an ASEAN contest that concluded on Thursday.

Organisers of the Festival of Photos, Reportage and Documentary Films on Environment Protection and Climate Change in the ASEAN Community handed out awards in different categories at a ceremony held in Ha Noi on Thursday night.

Jungle Beat, a documentary produced by the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation won first prize in the reportage-documentary film category.

Nguyen Truong Son, director of the Centre for Press and International Co-operation and head of the festival's organising board, said the entries in all categories were of high quality.

They successfully highlighted outstanding achievements in environmental protection and mitigation of climate change impacts, he said.

Launched in mid-July last year, the festival's contest received 536 photos and photo collections, and 125 reportages and documentaries submitted by photographers, journalists, reporters and documentary makers from ASEAN member nations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Bac Son, Minister of Information and Communications, said the festival aimed to promote the ASEAN Vision 2020, which includes building a clean and green region that protects the environment and ensures sustainability of natural resources while improving living standards.

It will also contribute to strengthening co-operation and mutual understanding among member nations as they strive to build a strong ASEAN Community and realise the ASEAN's Charter, he said.

Winners of the contests were awarded medals, trophies, certificates and cash prizes.

This is the second time Viet Nam has organised the festival. The first one, in 2010, focused on the theme "Countries and People in the ASEAN Community." — VNS