“When Koala Meets Panda” 2017 China-Australia Short Video Contest Awards Announced (2)

In order to enhance the connections between China and Australia and to promote Australia’s understanding of China and Chinese culture, the Chinese Consulate General in Brisbane officially launched the 2017 China-Australia Short Video Contest at China’s National Day event on September 28, 2017. From Oct. 1 to Dec. 10, more than 80 video entries that captured candidates’ understanding and perspective of China were received. Twenty of the videos were chosen as finalists.

Before the judging period, a panel of five judges, including Professor Colin Mackerras from Griffith University, Dr. Alex Bevan from the University of Queensland, Ms. Hayley McNeel from Queensland University of Technology, Ms. Clara-Jane Lilomaiava from Study Queensland, and Dr. Wendy Jiang representing the China National Tourist Office in Sydney (Australia & New Zealand) was organized. After a round of individual judging, the five judges nominated 10 videos to enter the collective judging phase. The 10 videos are:

 Get out of the cities – Amy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQUpayztHho&index=3&list=PLxrLgypbClqLPfLcDnG0_oE69foQDgE30&t=10s

 My Chinese story – Lucy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nIDBRzmmpQ&index=14&list=PLxrLgypbClqLPfLcDnG0_oE69foQDgE30

 “Big four” Chinese technologies – Prudence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhILRXU5ppE&list=PLxrLgypbClqLPfLcDnG0_oE69foQDgE30&index=17

 Australian girl talks about Qu Yuan and sings – Catalina: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwypLY_919o&list=PLxrLgypbClqLPfLcDnG0_oE69foQDgE30&index=5

 The Chinese Pipa – Clint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzSpJhpEyvM&list=PLxrLgypbClqLPfLcDnG0_oE69foQDgE30&index=6

 Australian’s Chinese skills – Sunny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuWPWBIsexM&index=22&list=PLxrLgypbClqLPfLcDnG0_oE69foQDgE30

 Martial arts and Chinese culture – Hattie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JUVdxakD8s&index=9&list=PLxrLgypbClqLPfLcDnG0_oE69foQDgE30

 Study trip to China – Kyrra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr52NphGHmc&list=PLxrLgypbClqLPfLcDnG0_oE69foQDgE30&index=12

 Our happy life in China – Max: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OLdxdQ75Xk&index=15&list=PLxrLgypbClqLPfLcDnG0_oE69foQDgE30

 Kids speaking and singing in Mandarin – Rory and Kiarni: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4MlCE_4uIA&index=18&list=PLxrLgypbClqLPfLcDnG0_oE69foQDgE30

Competition in the collective judging round was fierce. After two rounds of voting, the videos that received awards are:

 “Best Story Award: - My Chinese story

 “Best Editing Award” – Get out of the cities

 “Most Creative Award” – “Big four” Chinese technologies

 “Best Animation Award” – Vacant

During interviews, the five judges spoke highly of the contest’s theme and quality. They all said that it provided a good opportunity for Australian youths to have a better understanding about China and Chinese culture, and it can promote friendship between China and Australia and enhance the two countries’ connections. Professor Colin Mackerras encouraged more Australian students to visit China to experience its rich history and culture, and welcomed more Chinese students to Australia with open arms.

Professor Colin Mackerras speaks to Australian and Chinese youths (Photo by Mengyi Xu)

The contest entered its final stage on Dec. 25. The three winning productions will be promoted on China’s popular social media platforms, where one final winner will win the “Most Popular in China Award.” The final winning production will be calculated by midnight Dec. 31 based on number of views. The winner will be invited to China for a cultural exchange trip.