Student Excellence in Video Storytelling
Chi Tian, Angela (Elle) Liu, “Saving Chinatown’s roots: How three residents are preserving the neighborhood,” amNewYork
ABOUT THE WORK: This is not another typical “Chinatown gentrification” story where the narrative frames the neighborhood uniformly against gentrification's so-called evil consequences. What was once perceived solely as a threat might actually serve as a threshold for the neighborhood’s rebirth. By portraying this issue through the experiences of three Chinatown residents from different generations, the story bridges the generational divide within the community.
It resonated deeply with older residents, who have witnessed decades of transformation, as well as younger generations who may feel disconnected from their cultural heritage. Each resident featured in the story offers a unique approach to addressing gentrification, with one of them, Paul Eng, providing a particularly compelling perspective. Eng identified the core issue: Chinatown’s lack of economic power to combat gentrification effectively. He argued that instead of viewing gentrification as an obstacle, the neighborhood could seize this opportunity to reform its economic structure, fostering resilience and sustainability.
The most significant impact of this piece lies in its ability to inspire action, particularly among business owners and community leaders. It encourages them to take an active role in advocacy and preservation efforts to protect Chinatown’s businesses and cultural landmarks. By highlighting the potential for economic reform, the story offers a blueprint for leveraging the pressures of gentrification as a catalyst for positive change. A stronger economic foundation can help the neighborhood not only survive but thrive in the face of future challenges.
Ultimately, this piece goes beyond journalism—it seeks to overturn the prevailing mindset that gentrification is purely toxic. While gentrification undeniably poses threats to the community, it also serves as a wake-up call, signaling the urgent need for economic and social reform. Rather than succumbing to despair, the story urges the Chinatown community to view this moment as an opportunity to build a more resilient and self-sustaining future.
Chi Tian is a documentary filmmaker based in New York. Born in China and raised across continents, she developed a lens attuned to in-between spaces and quiet transformations. Blending documentary with an eye shaped by anthropology, Chi explores new frontiers of storytelling, becoming a medium of presence through which unseen lives come into view. Her documentary, Dear Friend, Where Do You Come From? 朋友你从哪里来?—A story about a Ukrainian family’s liminal life in China—will premiere in May 2025. Chi is also an M.S. candidate at Columbia Journalism School.
Elle Liu is a freelance multimedia reporter, audio producer and writer based in New York. She is interested in local, character-driven stories about culture, community and the arts. Her work has been published in the Toronto Star, amNY and Washington Square News, and West 10th literary magazine. Elle was a copyeditor at WSN, new editor at WNYU 98.1FM and audio/video producer of the Think About It podcast. She is currently the assistant program manager at the New York Institute for the Humanities.
Honorable Mention: Eric Yeh, “Annenberg TV News: Final hours of voting underway as results roll in,” Annenberg Media
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