Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau held a short film salon on 28th October, 2024, which attracted 70 participants. Resident Fellow and film executive producer, Alice Hong introduced the production background of the short film “The Invisible Self” and shared the effectiveness of the short film’s tour screenings in local secondary schools over the past year. After the film screening, Dr. Elvo Sou, Head of UM Student Counselling Section analyzed the film from a psychological perspective and discussed the theme of “inner child,” which inspired students’ attention to “self-compassion.” During the post-screening discussion, Dr. Sou, Director Steven U, crew members, and representatives from Psychological Society of UMSU interacted with the audience to discuss the mental health issues presented in the film. Finally, Director U shared his thoughts about winning the “Best Director” award in the University Student Film category at the Asian International Film Festival 2024 for “The Invisible Self”. He said, “The positive response and recognition this short film received in society are due to the collective efforts and dedication of the entire crew.”

 “After watching ‘The Invisible Self,’ my first thought was: Are you ready to accept your imperfections and dark sides? I believe that on the path of growth, we will encounter many failures, and it is normal to feel negative or lack confidence. Do not let these things defeat you; be brave enough to accept your imperfect self. No one is born perfect.” – Joo Shien Teh (Year 2 Student/FSS)

“This short film showcases the helplessness and despair of those with depression. I deeply realized that when facing them, we cannot just stay at the surface level of concern but must truly enter their hearts. We need to patiently listen to their seemingly trivial yet heavy thoughts and provide them with strength through continuous and sincere companionship, becoming the light that illuminates hope as they navigate through the darkness.” – Kent Liang (Year 1 Student/FSS)

“I deeply felt the truth and depth of this film. It made me realize that accepting both the bright and dark sides of oneself is an important step in growth. When facing stress and emotional troubles, we should bravely seek help and express our emotions. The protagonist’s story is closely related to our lives, teaching me to embrace inner strength.” – Katherine Yang (President of Psychological Society of UMSU) 

“This is a touching film that is not only educational but also made me understand the difficulties everyone faces. The participation of teachers and students in the film’s production must have been an unforgettable experience. I hope the college will organize more activities like this in the future!” – Kaian Lam (College Affiliate/FSS)