2024 CIE-SF 45th AC CIE Technology and Humanities Award Mr. Ben Tsiang 蔣顯斌

2024 CIE Technology and Humanities Award
Mr. Ben Tsiang 蔣顯斌
Co-founder of SINA.com, Co-founder and Chairman of CNEX
Ben Tsiang's three-decade career uniquely bridges the realms of engineering and non-fiction storytelling, marking him as a distinguished figure in both domains. An alum of National Taiwan University's Mechanical Engineering Department, Ben furthered his expertise at Stanford University, earning a master's degree with a specialization in Human-Computer Interface (HCI). This foundation propelled him into the digital age when, in 1995, he co-founded SinaNet.com with fellow Stanford graduates. The company evolved into SINA.com, achieving Nasdaq listing. As Vice President of Global Products, Ben played a crucial role in global product planning and forging media alliances, later managing SINA's operations in Taiwan and East China, and spearheading the establishment of SINA Mobile.
Transitioning from the tech world, Ben embarked on a journey of social entrepreneurship with the founding of CNEX in 2006. This initiative underscores his commitment to documenting and amplifying the narratives of Chinese society through the lens of documentary filmmaking, aiming to foster visual literacy across generations. CNEX has produced over a hundred documentaries, recognized at esteemed festivals like Venice, Sundance, and Golden Horse, also initiating the pioneering CCDF (CNEX Chinese Doc Forum) to enhance collaboration between Chinese and international documentary sectors. Acknowledged for his contributions, Ben has been invited as a lifetime member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, contributing as a juror for the Oscars Documentary Branch.
Most recently, his executive production, "Island In Between," received a nomination for the 96th Oscars Academy Award in the documentary short category. Beyond his cinematic ventures, Ben remains a vital force in the startup ecosystem, offering both investment and mentorship.