On November 8, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) held the 7th "eye Taiwan win Cross-Strait" Short Film Competition Awards Ceremony at the Straits Exchange Foundation, along with the premiere of the winning entries. This year, 28 films were shortlisted to compete for a total prize pool of NT$960,000, with the grand prize of NT$200,000 awarded to the film "Vision: Dreams to Imagine."
The 7th "eye Taiwan win Cross-Strait" Short Film Competition Grand Prize Won by Shanghai Filmmaker "AndreaZ Zhuozhuozhuo" with the Film "Vision: Dreams to Imagine" (Photo: Taken from the Mainland Affairs Council Facebook Page)
In his remarks, MAC Chairperson **Chiu Chui-Cheng** highlighted that over the past seven years, this competition has attracted more than 800 submissions. Many films focus on the lives of new immigrants in Taiwan, capturing their diverse experiences as they study, work, and pursue their dreams, showcasing their heartfelt journeys.
Chairperson Chiu noted that new immigrants often arrive in Taiwan with the goal of establishing a stable life and ultimately find a sense of belonging and purpose here. He emphasized that Taiwan's inclusive and free society allows newcomers to integrate and carve out a new identity. Through the submitted films, audiences can witness how spouses from mainland China and other new immigrants strive for their dreams in Taiwan's supportive environment, gradually integrate into local culture, and even give back to society, becoming part of Taiwan's shared community.
Chiu stressed that MAC and the Straits Exchange Foundation remain dedicated to supporting new immigrants and mainland students, acting as a "maternal home" and a source of support. They will continue to collaborate with the National Immigration Agency and other departments to care for new immigrants and ensure they feel Taiwan's warmth and inclusivity.
This year's competition not only featured stories of exchanges between Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau but also included 20% of submissions from new immigrants from other Asian countries, reflecting Taiwan's multicultural coexistence. The grand prize-winning film, "Vision: Dreams to Imagine," by Shanghai-born new immigrant AndreaZ Zhuozhuozhuo, tells her story of life and public service in Taiwan. Through heartfelt emotions and humor, she expressed her deep love for Taiwan, which she calls "home," earning high praise from the judges.
The second prize-winning film, "Making a Strange Place Feel Like Home," was directed by Malaysian new immigrant Dai Jing-Yin (Today’s Little Dai). Her film captures everyday life in Taiwan and conveys her recognition of Taiwan as home and her determination to pursue her dreams.
MAC expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic participation in this competition. Information on the shortlisted and award-winning films can be found on the "eye Taiwan win Cross-Strait," official website. These films will also be featured on the MAC’s YouTube channel and other social media platforms to continue sharing these heartfelt stories with the public.
