NCCU College of Communication Students Dived into Documentary Filming after TaiwanPitch’s Workshop

Under the guidance of Communication College’s visiting associate professor, Douglas Kass, six students from the College participated in the "2022 Taiwan Pitch Non-Fictional Short Film Fund" program, which is supported by the Ministry of Culture. After being chosen as finalists in June, they engaged in the workshop held by the program and have started the documentary filming process.

The following is a list of the six shortlisted students and their themes of filming:

• King Chung Lai (黎敬中) / International Master's Program in International Communication Studies, Second-Year Student: Drawing Formosa: People, Heritage and Nature

• Chia Wei Hsiao (蕭家威) / International Master's Program in International Communication Studies, Second-Year Student: Mihumisang, Haisul Saikin: Hi, I am Haisul Palalavi! This is my Bunun Story

• Syrus Sadvandi (薩瑞斯) / International Master's Program in International Communication Studies, Second-Year Student: King of Taiwan

• Oğuz Solak (歐茲) / International Master's Program in International Communication Studies, Third-Year Student: Taiwan: A New Haven for World Media

• Stefan Maurycy Węgiełek (韋鉅傑) / International Master's Program in International Communication Studies, Exchange Student: Garbage Truck

• Vera Chon (鄭偉拉) / Master's Program in Communication, Second-Year Student: Beware: Green Wear (Be Conscious: Green Fashion)

In order to assist a total of 40 finalists from 16 countries to successfully complete the documentary production, TaiwanPitch organized an online workshop in late July and a physical workshop, Talent Village, from August 16 to 19, to strengthen their skills and expertise in filming. Following the workshop, the finalists have begun filming short documentaries. Their final works will be premiering on TaiwanPlus, which is an international streaming platform. In addition, three films will be selected by the organization in mid-November, and awards of up to $10,000 will be awarded.

Besides, the program also drew the media’s attention. Below are links to relevant reports:

• Central News Agency Video News. “Film students from around the world tell the story of Taiwan with their own lens.” : https://bit.ly/3K3Azcu

• National Chengchi University. “Documenting Multiculturalism. Several students from the College of Communication were shortlisted by the Taiwan Pitch Non-Fictional Short Film Fund:” https://bit.ly/3CgGA3C

• The International Master's Program in International Communication Studies, National Chengchi University: https://bit.ly/3wT8Xl1

Syrus Sadvandi was interviewed by Central News Agency. (Photo credit: Screenshot from the Central News Agency's Video News)

A group photo of the six shortlisted students of the College of Communication. Back row from left to right: Chia Wei Hsiao, King Chung Lai, Syrus Sadvandi, Oğuz Solak, and Stefan Maurycy Węgiełek; Front Row from left to right: Dương Nhã Vân (the video producer who works with Syrus Sadvandi), and Vera Chon (Photo credit: King Chung Lai)