Prof. Ming-yi Tsai (Director Tsai Tsai) of the Department of Information and Communication, STUST, was recently selected for his short film "Hunter Rhapsody" in the 12th Guam International Film Festival (GIFF) 2023 Select Showcase in the United States, which will be shown on PBS Guam Channel 12 and live broadcast worldwide.

【A poster of the short film "Hunter Rhapsody"】

GIFF is a non-profit organization, the first and only annual American film festival in the Western Pacific, dedicated to discovering the passion and spirit of independent filmmakers and their films and providing free cinema to educate and promote the cultural, educational, and recreational objectives of the entire community.

【Director of Hunter's Rhapsody, Prof. Ming-yi Tsai from the Department of Information and Communication, STUST】

“Hunter Rhapsody" is adapted from the work of aboriginal writer Yong-song Li, a winner of Taiwan Literature Award. The work tells the story of two hunters, Wallis and Badu, who go hunting in the mountains of a national park. It is a series of absurd incidents between the two hunters and an injured "mountain mouse" that make the aborigines' sense of dependence on the land and their sense of self-identity explode on the restless night.

【The protagonists of the short film "Hunter Rhapsody"】

Director Ming-yi Tsai is currently teaching at the Department of Information and Communication, STUST. In 2020, he won the Best Screenplay Award at Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival in Argentina and the Best Director in Freedom International Film Festival in Korea with his work "Travel - Train to Paradise." After winning the best director, his new work "Hunter Rhapsody" won the first prize of the Shinyi Corporate Ethics Special Award in the 2021 MOD Golden Film Contest as well as the best short film of the year at the Korea International Short Film Festival in 2022.

Prof. Ming-yi Tsai of the Department of Information and Communication, STUST, said that he was very excited when he received the invitation from the Guam International Film Festival and Public Broadcast Service. The current situation of Taiwan's aboriginal life can be seen by more people around the world. In addition to the Guam International Film Festival for its recognition, he also showed his gratitude to STUST for its free and inclusive school spirit, which allows him to bring shooting practice to students in teaching, making learning more diverse and comfortable. He would also like to thank the production team for their efforts in cooperation, including short film screenwriter Mr. Yong-song Li (Thomas), an Atayal specializing in aboriginal literature research and creation who has won numerous literary awards, and Wilang Lalin, an Atayal native who is currently working as an Atayal language teacher in the tribe. After the performance of the film “Hunter Rhapsody,” Wilang Lalin was recognized by a professional director and was invited to be the leading actor in the aboriginal film "Ha Yong's Family," which won the Golden Horse Awards. His sincere performance was well received with high esteem.

As the home page of GIFF introduces, more than 25 films from 10 countries were officially selected by GIFF 2023 Select Showcase. "Hunter Rhapsody" is also the only Taiwan representative work of this Select Showcase. It will be shown in April 18, Tuesday evening at 8pm (Chamorro Time). The official program link of the festival: https://www.guamfilmfestival.org/2023-giff-select-showcase-showtimes-and-info/