Thane North Star Leo Club’s Winning Entry to the International Leo Video Contest 2024–2025
What does service look like when seen through the eyes of those who receive it?
For the Thane North Star Leo Club, Leo District 3231-A2, the answer emerged through lived moments—a child’s shy smile, an elderly couple rediscovering music, a rescued dog learning to trust again. These moments formed the soul of Nazariya, the club’s winning entry at the International Leo Video Contest 2024–2025.
The club has been a regular participant in the contest, securing second place twice in earlier years. This time, however, the theme prompted a deeper pause. The guiding question—How does your Leo Club show that they care about and support their community?—was familiar. The response was not.
For the Thane North Star Leo Club, service is understood not only through what is done, but through how it is felt. This perspective guided the club as it began work on its entry for the International Video Contest 2024–2025. The lens shifted outward, allowing the voices of those they serve to lead the story.
That single decision shaped Nazariya—a film shaped by real moments and emotions.
The project was led by Leos Ishaan, Anvay, and Shalvi, who spent weeks reconnecting with communities the club has supported over the years. They visited children, senior citizens, students with disabilities, animal welfare shelters, and grassroots organisations. Before a single frame was shot, the team took time to explain why the video mattered—what the contest stood for, and why the voices of participants were central to the narrative.
In that exchange, something shifted. The individuals featured were no longer subjects in a film; they became collaborators in the storytelling process.
The moments captured were unforced and deeply personal: a child tying a rakhi, a student painting without fear, an elderly couple sharing music, a rescued dog responding to gentle care. Their expressions carried the story. Their emotions shaped its rhythm.
Once completed, the film was uploaded to YouTube and submitted to Lions International. As voting opened, the club’s efforts focused not on promotion, but on amplification. Each post, message, and outreach effort was driven by a shared sense of pride—not in the club, but in the people whose stories were being seen.
When the results were announced, Nazariya secured first place globally.
Yet, for the team, the most meaningful moment came afterward—sharing the news with the organisations and individuals featured in the film. The quiet pride in their responses mattered more than the trophy itself. The win belonged to them.
Nazariya was never intended to be just a competition entry. It became a reminder that service is best understood when we listen, observe, and allow others to lead the narrative. By placing people at the centre, impact finds its true voice.
For the members of the Thane North Star Leo Club, this project has set a new direction—one rooted in empathy, perspective, and partnership. Nazariya may have earned a global win, but more importantly, it reaffirmed why they serve.
And it marks only the beginning.
Watch the winning video here.