Shizuoka Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture) announced that its documentary program "Laughing Through Life: The Place Where I Live" has won the Gold Award in the Documentary & Reportage category at the "US International Awards 2026," an international competition honoring outstanding video works from around the world. The program is a documentary about a woman with ALS who established a group home. It also received an Award of Excellence in the Television - Educational Programs division at the 2025 Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Awards. ■ About the "US International Awards" Formerly the "US International Film & Video Festival" established in 1967, this is a historic international film festival that recognizes outstanding online and social media video works, documentaries, and more from around the world. List of Award Winners (US International Awards Winners 2026) ■ Award-Winning Program Overview Program Title: "Laughing Through Life: The Place Where I Live" Broadcast Date: May 29, 2025 Director: Mako Ueda / Cinematography: Yoshiaki Watanabe / Editing: Kiyoshi Nakamura / Producer: Hideaki Kashiwagi Program Content: ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a severe, progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes muscles to gradually weaken and the entire body to become immobile. Ms. Kiyoshi, who lives in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture, was diagnosed with ALS herself. Facing a shortage of 24-hour medical care facilities, she decided, "If it doesn't exist, I'll create it myself," and established a group home. With the motto "Laughing Through Life," Ms. Kiyoshi lives as a resident herself and engages in smiling conversations with patients suffering from intractable diseases and their families, who face various challenges. At first glance, the patients appear calm, with little movement in their bodies or expressions, but they become remarkably talkative during conversations with Ms. Kiyoshi. The residents and their fa