Academy gives student filmmakers a taste of China

Students from the US and France led the projects, while their Chinese partners served as translators. Boston University and Ecole Superieure de Realsation Audiovisuelle worked in Beijing with the Beijing Normal University students while Emory University worked in Shanghai with the Shanghai University students.

Each video was required to be less than 10 minutes on the topic discussed in their proposals. A group of 51 professors and film critics voted on their favorite of the 24 films. On July 12, more than 80 people came for a screening of the best works at the China Film Archives.

First place went to The Philosophy of Tai Chi by Ecole Superieure de Realsation Audiovisuelle student Jules Mangiameli. The piece followed a tai chi master and the director's own reflection on how the philosophy of tai chi can apply to everyday life.

The second-place winners were We Study English by Boston University student Yongmyung Yi and Serenity in Shanghai by Emory University student Myles McCrary.

Third place went to The Wood Speaks by Boston University student Ian Reddick, Hands of China by Ecole Superieure de Realsation Audiovisuelle student Enora Loffet, and A School Day with Dong Dong by Boston University student Lynn Chandler.

"It was awesome. I really got to see things first-hand," says Chandler. Her film followed the daily life of a student in a kindergarten in Beijing. "I learned that I really want to do documentary filmmaking."

Although prizes were awarded only to a few, Boston University professor Sam Kauffman stresses that the program's purpose is not to win a contest, but for the chance to experience another culture.

"It's life-changing for them," says Kauffman. "This is the biggest challenge a filmmaker can ever have. At the same time they are having a wonderful experience."