2026 NCHU Open-Air Film Festival Bypast Concludes with Success: Director Wang Shau-di and Students Explore Taiwanese Sensibilities Under the Stars

Source：Office of International Affairs, NCHU

The 2026 NCHU Open-Air Film Festival — "Bypast," organized by the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at National Chung Hsing University, successfully concluded on March 20–21 on the lawn behind the Administration Building. The event drew a large crowd of local and international students, as well as families from the surrounding community, fostering a cross-border and intergenerational cultural dialogue through classic Taiwanese film screenings, an immersive retro "Gan-Zhi-Dian" (traditional grocery store) experience, and a creative arts market.

Senior Vice President Chou Chi-Chung: Cinema and Daily Life as Bridges for Cross-Cultural Understanding
On the opening day, Dr. Chou Chi-Chung, Senior Vice President for International Affairs, delivered the opening remarks. "Taiwanese sensibility is not just a filter on social media; it is the imprint of our authentic lives," Senior Vice President Chou stated. "I am delighted to see the OIA staff, and the student team work together to transform this lawn into a nostalgic outdoor cinema. We hope international students can experience the warmth and hospitality of Taiwan’s local streets through these films, while local students can rediscover their innocent 'childhood dreams' and build deeper emotional connections with friends from around the world."

Legendary Director Wang Shau-di Appears for the Screening of Grandma and Her Ghosts
The highlight of the festival was the screening of the classic animation "Grandma and Her Ghosts" (魔法阿媽) on March 20, featuring a special pre-screening talk by Director Wang Shau-di. Director Wang shared insights into how the film recorded the profound connection between Taiwanese families and traditional beliefs. Engaging with students on the topic of cultural resilience in cinema, the director added a layer of intellectual and humanistic depth to the starry night experience.
Immersive Retro Experience: International Students Share Taiwanese Childhood

The two-day event featured several interactive highlights designed to take participants on a journey through time:

• "The Unsellable Grocery Store" & Stamp Rally: The exhibition area centered on the collective memories of students from the 80s and 90s, focusing on "Food, Clothing, Housing, Transportation, Education, and Entertainment." This guided international students through the roots of Taiwanese culture while evoking nostalgia for locals. A site-wide stamp rally encouraged participants to explore every corner of the venue.

• Nostalgic Musical Performances: The stage came alive with performances by the university’s Guitar Club and A Cappella Club. Guest singers Jimmy and KaLiKaLi also performed iconic movie theme songs, using melody to bridge the gap between the past and present.

• Pop-up Retro Games: Interactive segments like the "Blind Box Touch Challenge" surprised participants as they guessed childhood toys by touch alone. Meanwhile, the "Taiwanese Film Ranking Challenge" used a fun competition format to increase awareness of Taiwan’s cinematic history.

• A Dialogue of Global Flavors and Traditions: The event featured authentic Taiwanese night market games and snacks alongside stalls set up by international students sharing their hometown delicacies and handicrafts, embodying the spirit of "grassroots cultural diplomacy."

Following the success of the first night, the second day featured the film "Back to the Good Times" (花甲大人轉男孩), leading the audience through the unique and heartwarming bonds of a Taiwanese family. By using "Bypast" (Childhood Dreams) as its theme, the festival successfully transformed the NCHU campus into a platform for cross-cultural dialogue. Students remarked that watching films under the stars was not only a sensory delight but a way to rediscover the ordinary yet profound beauty of daily life in Taiwan.