The 2024 Sustainable and Constructive News Award ceremony, hosted by the TVBS Foundation, was held grandly on October 6. Former reporter of our paper, an alumna of the Department of English, and currently a graduate student at National Taiwan University’s Institute of Journalism, Tsai-Yi Hsieh, along with her classmate Hsin-Yi Tsai, won first prize in the Student Short Film category for their piece, “A Retired Professor Brings Programming Education to Rural Areas, Creating a Positive Cycle.” Mass Communication seniors Ming-Zhi Chien and Sheng-En Tai also received an Excellence Award in the same category for their film “Surfboard Rebirth: The Spirit of Sustainable Surfing,” with the awards presented by TVBS News Deputy Director and Mass Communication alumna Hua Yang.
This year, the Sustainable and Constructive News Award received a record-breaking 732 entries, with 46 awards and 10 popular choice awards distributed, totaling over NT$2 million in prizes, marking a new high. Tsai-Yi Hsieh and Hsin-Yi Tsai’s film highlighted retired professor Chyun-Shin Cheng from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, who brought his programming expertise to rural areas to establish a learning platform for children, fostering a positive cycle to address the urban-rural educational divide. Hsieh expressed gratitude for the judges’ recognition and Professor Cheng’s willingness to share his story, saying, "We wanted to spread this inspiration and raise awareness about the challenges facing rural education." The film also featured interviews with alumni of the Chinese Department, Ruro Platform project leader and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Professor Shou-Cheng Tseng, and Assistant Professor Su-Yun Wang from the Department of Education, National Chengchi University, as well as Principal Chi-Sheng Chen and teacher You-Min Lin from Renfeng Elementary School in Changhua, who expressed their appreciation. Judges praised the film for its skilled editing, lively pacing, smooth narrative, and complete visual structure, describing it as a heartfelt work.
Ming-Zhi Chien and Sheng-En Tai’s film focused on Neil, a South African who founded Mu Surf, a surfboard workshop that repurposes recycled wood to give new life to old surfboards, promoting an eco-friendly surfing culture. By spotlighting surfboards, the film explored their potential environmental impact and demonstrated how small changes can drive environmental sustainability.
The filmmakers explained that they approached the project as a personal interview, thoughtfully planning the structure and interview outline to present a comprehensive story. They shared, “The workshop was smaller than expected, and poor weather posed challenges, but by creatively using shots and editing, we crafted a visually rich film within a limited space. We thank the Sustainable and Constructive News Award and our advisor, Yu-Feng Wan from Tamkang Television, for their support. We hope this film inspires viewers to realize that even small changes can positively impact the planet and raise public awareness about ocean conservation and the environmental impact of surfboards.”
The judges praised the cinematography, which they found sophisticated and layered, with the single subject maintaining viewer interest and linking the human element with sustainability. The script was well-constructed, and the absence of narration showcased the filmmakers’ dedication. Their strategic use of striking quotes left a deep impression of the protagonist’s philosophy and life attitude, embodying a profound commitment to environmental sustainability.
