Film on cracked dragon fruit wins top prize in Yunlin contest

A creative short film that humorously depicts cracked dragon fruit and incorporates a local temple has clinched the top prize in Yunlin County's public channel video competition. The "Projection Bottle Image Team," participating for the second time, secured the championship and a 200,000 New Taiwan dollar award for their 5-minute film.

The winning entry, titled "The Strange Case of Cracked Fruit," masterfully fused the agricultural theme of dragon fruit with the religious heritage of the Sanliaolun Haiqing Temple. The film's narrative draws inspiration from the "Lord Bao judges the stone" story, adapting it to the local context. Director Cai Min-yu explained that the team was assigned the Sihu Township, requiring them to integrate religious and agricultural elements. They learned about the cracked dragon fruit issue from a local farmer whose fruit split due to excessive watering, forming the basis of their story.

Producer Li Guan-xian expressed delight at winning, thanking the participating orchards and temples for their support. He noted the warmth experienced in Yunlin during filming and advised future contestants to invest time in understanding local characteristics. Head judge Li Jian-cheng praised the winning work for its skillful integration of agriculture and temple culture, commending the actors' natural performances and the team's ability to produce such a high-quality film under a tight deadline.

The Yunlin County Government plans to promote outstanding works on its official social media platforms and public channel. Chen Qi-yu, head of the county's news department, stated that the competition will continue to provide a platform for creators to showcase their talents, allowing younger generations to express themselves through visual media.