"Taiwanese Cinema: At the Forefront Now" - Behind the Award Rush — From VR to Family Dramas, What Happened at Film Festivals Around the World

When you unfold the map of the 2025 film festival, the outline of the small island of Taiwan appears more prominently than ever. From art animation to family drama, and immersive VR, Taiwanese films have taken over the world's screens and headsets with "diverse intensity." The catalyst was the series of award news that arrived in quick succession.digitalmedianet.com

The Starting Gun at Locarno: The Pinnacle of Experimentation Captured by a Short Animation

At the 78th Locarno in Switzerland, Angel Wu's "Force Times Displacement" won the Medien Patent Verwaltung AG Award. Combining pencil, watercolor, stop-motion, and live-action, the 12-minute piece smoothly traverses themes from labor and faith to the perspectives of animals. The report of a near-standing ovation at its fully booked premiere symbolized the "now" of experimental animation. Local reports and follow-ups from CNA/Taipei Times corroborated the award.digitalmedianet.com

The Universality of "Family" Seen in NY: The Impact of "Family Matters"

At the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), director Pan Ke-yin's feature debut "Family Matters" won the Best Feature = Uncaged Award, marking a historic achievement for a Taiwanese work. Set in Changhua, the story unravels 24 years of family secrets starting from the revelation of 18-year-old "Chun" being adopted. The narrative bridges local scenery with universal topics such as kinship, debt, and reproductive medicine, resonating with the NY audience as a personal matter. Additionally, actress Vivian Sung was awarded the Best from the East Award for her performance in the Korean-Taiwanese co-production "The Secret House," highlighting the breadth of Taiwanese expression.Focus Taiwan - CNA English News

Venice Showcased "The Expansion of Cinema": VR, Classics, and Newcomers

In Venice, Singing Chen's VR epic "The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up" won the Grand Prix in the Immersive category. Weaving together the myth of the clouded leopard and the Rukai tribe, the significance of this "experience as cinema" standing at the top from loss to rebirth is immense. Forbes and Taiwanese government PR quickly reported the victory, with the official page showcasing the full scope of the work. In the same Venice, Tsai Ming-liang's new documentary "Back Home" was officially screened out of competition, and his 1994 Golden Lion film "Vive l'amour" was featured in Venice Classics. It was a moment where film history and the present were discussed on the same plane with Taiwan as the axis.Forbes

First Directorial Efforts in Competition: Shu Qi's "Girl" and the Short Animation "Praying Mantis"

Actor Shu Qi's directorial debut feature "Girl" entered the main competition. With renowned talents like cinematographer Yu Jing-ping and editor Zhang Shuping, and casting including actor 9m88, it surpassed the realm of "a star's directorial debut" with a full-fledged lineup. Meanwhile, Joe Hsieh & Yonfan's "Praying Mantis" was selected for the Orizzonti Short Film section. The 18-minute hand-drawn animation, which allegorizes the instinct of maternity, made a strong presence on the international short film stage.La Biennale di Venezia

Reactions on Social Media: Where Did the Praise Gather?

・Screen International's official X reported, "Taiwan's 'The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up' wins top prize at Venice Immersive." The immediacy of industry media became the starting point for the buzz.X (formerly Twitter)
・Venice's official X also announced the Grand Prix, spreading the celebration on the festival's platform. Sharing the award photos clarified the path to the work.X (formerly Twitter)
・At NYAFF, one of the judges posted, "Honored to participate in the Uncaged judging." The timeline surrounding the award for "Family Matters" heated up with voices from those involved.X (formerly Twitter)
・Taiwanese cultural PR on Facebook also emphasized the VR Grand Prix, instilling the recognition of "VR = a leading role at film festivals" among audiences domestically and abroad.Facebook

Why Did the Evaluation Soar in "Simultaneous Multiple Occurrences"?

1. Expansion of Expressive Range: The ability to establish the "core of the story" across media such as live-action, animation, and VR. The handcrafted animation of "Force Times Displacement" and the immersive narrative of "Clouds..." are the two extremes.Focus Taiwan - CNA English News

2. From Local to Universal: The themes of family and secrets, movement, and memory in "Family Matters" pierce through the modern universality that spans urban and rural areas.Focus Taiwan - CNA English News

3. Dialogue with Film History: The alignment of Tsai Ming-liang's new work and the reappearance of "Vive l'amour" in the same year connected the genes of Taiwanese New Cinema with the latest sensibilities in a single line.La Biennale di Venezia

4. Driving Force of Cross-Border Collaboration: Vivian Sung's award for "The Secret House," a Korean-Taiwanese co-production, highlighted the strengthening of the production ecosystem within Asia.nyaff.org

Aftermath: Distribution, Screenings, and the Next Course

"Left-Handed Girl" won the Gan Foundation Award for distribution support at the Cannes Critics' Week, leading to Netflix acquisitions and entries into film festivals worldwide. It symbolizes the functioning of the "theater + distribution + festival" three-pronged strategy in the overseas expansion of Taiwanese films.Focus Taiwan - CNA English News

Conclusion: Towards Maturity and Expansion

The highlight of 2025 is not just a "rush of awards." **Taiwanese films have now acquired the means to deliver stories regardless of the medium, refining a methodology to leap from local life worlds to universal emotions.** This maturity and expansion will undoubtedly chain into next year's Berlin, Cannes, and Toronto. The applause that rose in the sea breeze of Venice, the square of Locarno, and the audience seats of NY heralds the beginning of the next story.digitalmedianet.com

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