By: Jervanne Lee Heng Wey

PENANG — The Final Year students of Diploma in Mass Communication (Broadcasting) and Bachelor’s Degree in Media Production of Han Chiang University College of Communication made another comeback on 11 August 2024 as they held the second session of their well-received “Our Odyssey Screening” at the university college’s auditorium. The event, showcasing ten short films, drew a large crowd in their original first screening at Dewan Budaya USM.

“Actually, the second screening is for those who weren’t able to buy the tickets for the USM screening,” said Lim Ying Chuan, the president of Our Odyssey Screening.

“I didn’t manage to get the tickets to the first one and I wanted to see what a final year project screening was like,” said Megan Ong, a diploma student. 

Upon arrival, guests collected their tickets which came with a goodie bag at the cafeteria. Those who scan the QR codes and leave ratings were eligible to redeem two Châteraisé custard cream puffs for free.

The featured eight student productions of Diploma in Mass Communication (Broadcasting), which consisted of a PSA and a short film, such as Shadow’s Proxy by AIMS Production, Goodbye, Grandma by A.P.O.V. Production, Dzul by FY Production, Unvalued by Island 404 Production, One Step Closer by OMBAK Production, Once Again Youth by PLUTO Production, Rosarian Youth by Skadoosh Production, and Dancing in The Golden Years by Yiu Yiu Production. 

Meanwhile, among two productions of Bachelor’s Degree in Media Production were The Last Tenant by Xi You Team and Candy by Euphoria Production which featured a TV commercial as well.

At the end of the premier was a voting session for the most popular short film out of the 10 productions. 

Whilst waiting for the results, the directors of each production gave a speech about their works and explained the intentions behind their storylines which was previously not included in the first screening. Ranging from the dangers of human greed, the harm of gender inequality, to raising awareness about Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Yon Hui Yee, the director of Rosarian Youth by Skadoosh productions mentioned that it was very difficult to capture the message properly as the topic is not accepted in Malaysian society. The story is about a young boy encountering challenges whilst trying to embrace his feminine nature. The general aim was to encourage people to care about the marginalized groups around them.

There was also a special announcement regarding a few of the public service announcements by the diploma students being shortlisted in the Nanyang Siang Pau x Haoyang Public Service Announcement competition. There will be an announcement of the awards at the university college’s multi-purpose hall on the 14th of August 2024.

After that, bloopers and behind the scenes moments were shown on the screen, letting the audience in on the funny as well as the challenging moments. It was evident that the students worked long hours and were exhausted to the core during the production process.

Finally, the results were announced by the Head of Broadcasting, Mr. Lee Kean Wei, revealing Candy by Euphoria Productions to be the most popular short film. The Euphoria Productions team was then invited on stage to receive a trophy for each member.

Euphoria Production takes home the Most Popular Short Film Award.

Overall, Our Odyssey Screening was a major success for both the first and second round. All thanks to the hard work of the students and the dedication of the screening committee.

“The journey for this screening was filled with numerous challenges. From the initial concept to the actual thing that is happening right now took two to three months. There were times where we faced technical difficulties, tight deadlines and especially the application for the venues, but eventually we overcame it.” said President Lim.