The Marine National Park Headquarters (MNPH) recorded the process of the 100th National Day Lanyu Shipbuilding and Voyage Project and edited it into the documentary film Si Mangavang Taiwan (Visiting Taiwan - A Voyage Across the Black Tide). This film won the gold medal for the culture category in the 46th Worldfest Houston International Film Festival on April 20th. The world début of this film once again brought the amazing beauty of Lanyu (Orchid Island) and its profound marine culture to the world. This is an honor, as well as the best presentation of MNPH’s effort in preserving the unique marine culture of Lanyu.

Worldfest Houston International Film Festival is one of the most competitive film award programs in North America, receiving over 4,500 films from 30 countries worldwide each year for nomination. Dedicated to independent film production, this film festival has a long history and is internationally recognized as a benchmark award among the world’s independent film makers.

Si Mangavang Taiwan, filmed over a period of one year, documents the full life of the 18-seater traditional Lanyu boat, Si Mangavang, from logging, building, and launching to her virgin voyage, filmed from the sea, land, and air. The Dawu name, Si Mangavang, means “loaded with blessings”. In the 700km-journey to the western shore of Taiwan, which no Dawu boat has ever sailed, a crew of Dawu warriors rowed the boat for 18 days across the main stream of Kuroshio (black tide) and broke through the mysterious currents on the Erruanbi seas. This is the ultimate exhibition of the courage and adventurism of the great ocean worriers.

Si Mangavang is now on exhibition at the MNPH Guide and Service Center. Please take KMRT to the Metropolitan Park Station and take a short walk to the Marine National Park Headquarters. Come and have a close encounter with the ingenious craftsmanship of Si Mangavang and watch this award-winning film. You will be truly touched by the great voyage of Si Mangavang on the 100th birthday of the nation.