By: Lim Min Jun

PENANG — The Han Chiang University College of Communication Final Year students of Diploma in Mass Communication (Broadcasting) and Bachelor’s Degree in Media Production hosted an unforgettable screening as they premiered “Our Odyssey Screening” here, at Dewan Budaya USM on 4 August 2024. The event, showcasing ten short films, drew a large crowd eager to experience the diverse array of cinematic works.

The evening began with a lavish spread of local cuisines, setting a festive tone for the night. Attendees enjoyed an array of delicacies, mingling and discussing their excitement for the upcoming film screenings. 

As the evening progressed, the audience was ushered into the screening hall. The screening commenced with an energetic dance performance by a group of their batch’s own diploma students. They wowed the audience with their lively dance of Leslie Cheung’s famous song “Monica,” bringing the iconic tune to life with vibrant choreography.

Following the dance performance, the excitement continued with an engaging opening ceremony inspired by the famous scene from the movie “God of Gamblers,” and welcoming speeches by Presidents, Lim Ying Chuan and Khoo Wei Qi.

“I am very proud to say that this screening is another milestone in our journey of life and a fitting testimony of what we have learnt in our pursuit of our Bachelors’ Degree and Diploma here,” said Ying Chuan in her speech.

Meanwhile, in her speech, Wei Qi mentioned that she would like to express her sincere gratitude to all their lecturers and broadcasting advisors, especially the Head of Broadcasting, Mr. Lee Kean Wei for their guidance and unwavering support, that was the key to succeeding this final year screening project.  

From love to comedy, the screening featured a range of films created by the ten final year student productions, reflecting a variety of themes and genres. The featured eight student productions of Diploma in Mass Communication (Broadcasting) included AIMS Production, A.P.O.V. Production, FY Production, Island 404 Production, OMBAK Production, PLUTO Production, Skadoosh Production, and Yiu Yiu Production. Meanwhile, among the two student production crews of Bachelor’s Degree in Media Production were Xi You Team and Euphoria Production. 

The event featured a voting session for the audience’s favourite film in both the diploma and degree categories. Attendees cast their votes by tearing down a portion of their tickets and placing them into a ballot box, eagerly participating in the selection of the most favoured films. Adding to the excitement, the event featured a lucky draw that thrilled the audience. Prizes included three Châteraisé gift sets and two complimentary buffet vouchers for the prestigious E&O Hotel. 

While awaiting the results of the audience vote, attendees were treated to a live band performance featuring two famous Cantonese songs. The live music kept the atmosphere lively and engaging, providing a perfect interlude before the announcement of the winners.

There was also an exclusive behind-the-scenes video that highlighted the tremendous effort, hard work, and fun that went into producing their works. The video gave the audience a glimpse into the dedication and creativity of the ten production teams, revealing the heartfelt journey of bringing this memorable FYP to life. It showcased not only the technical skills but also the camaraderie and passion that fueled the success of the screening, leaving viewers with a deeper appreciation for the students’ achievements.

The screening served not only as a platform for student filmmakers to showcase their work but also as a celebration of their academic journey and achievements. 

A.P.O.V. Production and their award winning short film, “Goodbye Grandma” swept home both the diploma awards, which were the “Most Favourite Short Film (Diploma)” and “Best Short Film”. Meanwhile, Euphoria Production celebrated their “Most Favourite Short Film (Degree)” Award with their short film, “Candy”.

A.P.O.V. Production swept home both diploma category awards with their short film “Goodbye, Grandma”.

“With this film, we aimed to convey the message of cherishing our loved ones. Often, we take our family for granted and snap at them, but we wouldn’t dream of treating our friends that way.

“Our primary filming location was an old house in Pantai Acheh, Pulau Pinang. Since the house had been vacant for a long time, we spent several days cleaning it up. The daily commute was exhausting. During the shoot, we encountered numerous challenges. For instance, there was a lot of noise from frogs behind the house and from villagers singing nearby, which delayed our progress. 

“However, we persevered. We’re incredibly happy and relieved to have completed this project before graduation. We did it! And to top it off, we won two awards at the screening. This is a huge affirmation of our work. 

“We’re grateful for our lecturer’s guidance and support, for everyone who voted for us, and of course, for our casts and team members. Without them, this project wouldn’t have been possible,” shared Shao Feng, the director of A.P.O.V Production.

Meanwhile, members of Euphoria Production shared that winning the “Most Favourite Short Film (Degree)” is incredibly significant for them.

Happy smiles on Euphoria Production’s members’ faces while receiving the “Most Favourite Short Film (Degree)” Award with their short film, “Candy”.

Euphoria Production members also revealed that throughout the filming process, they faced many challenges and difficulties, but these experiences helped us grow and made our work even better. Every shoot and creation is a testament to their journey.

“This award is not only a recognition of our efforts but also a motivation for our future creations. We thank all the viewers and judges who supported us, and we deeply appreciate your recognition and encouragement,” shared Euphoria Production.

Euphoria Production also shared their future plans: to continue to strive to create even better works. They invite everyone to keep supporting them and witness their growth and progress together.

Tickets for the event were highly sought after, with another anticipated additional round to be held next Saturday, on 10 August 2024 at Han Chiang University College of Communication’s Auditorium. 

“Our screening of “Our Odysséy” was a great success! This achievement is the result of our entire team’s hard work and dedication.

“The journey to this successful screening was filled with numerous challenges and memorable moments. From the initial concept to the final edit, every step required meticulous planning, creativity, and teamwork. There were times when we faced technical difficulties, tight deadlines, and unexpected obstacles, but our team’s perseverance and passion drove us to overcome each hurdle. 

“Despite the setback, the team came together with renewed energy and determination, and the end result was even better than we had originally envisioned.

“We hope this screening has allowed everyone to deeply connect with the emotions and stories conveyed through the film. A special thank you to every committee member and of course our lecturer advisor – Mr Lee Kean Wei involved in this event and to each audience member for your enthusiasm and applause. Your support is our driving force,” shared Ying Chuan.

The Han Chiang University College of Communication continues to support and nurture budding filmmakers, providing them with opportunities to shine on platforms. The success of “Our Odyssey Screening” is a promising indicator of the bright future awaiting this young generation.