Taiwanese Cinema Expands Global Horizons
Taiwanese cinema is setting its sights higher on the global stage, as demonstrated by the recent efforts showcased at Hong Kong Filmart. The country is sending its biggest stars to promote international collaborations, signaling a robust commitment to expanding its cinematic footprint.
Spotlight on New Taiwanese Productions
Notable Taiwanese talents including Lee Lee-Zen, Yao Yi-Ti, and Jacob Wang drew attention at a special showcase event on Tuesday with their upcoming big-budget action film, 96 Minutes. This film, which revolves around a bomb crisis aboard a high-speed rail train traversing Taipei and Kaohsiung, captivated the audience as one of three new Taiwanese films presented, alongside a TV series.
In addition to this solo production, the event included six co-productions involving Taiwanese filmmakers, all part of the ongoing film-financing sidebar at the Hong Kong event. This strategic approach follows similar promotional efforts at the Berlinale and SXSW, demonstrating the Taiwan Creative Content Agency’s (TAICCA) commitment to securing international partnerships.
Fostering Growth in the Industry
“At TAICCA, we strive to stimulate both the industrialization and globalization of Taiwan’s cultural content sector,” stated TAICCA chairperson Homme Tsai in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter during Filmart. “We facilitate all stages of industry development — from cultivating talent to producing market-driven content and broadening our international outreach.”
Breaking New Ground with 96 Minutes
The film 96 Minutes, produced by Wowing Entertainment Group, is recognized for setting a significant milestone in Taiwan’s film industry, not only due to its ambitious subject matter but also the substantial budget backing it. CEO Jeff Tsou disclosed that this project commands a budget of $4.5 million, the highest for a Taiwanese production in the past decade.
Wowing Entertainment Group
“We aim to create a film that doesn’t just look Taiwanese,” Tsou explained. “Our dedication included constructing a high-speed railway set, indicating to the world that Taiwan is a viable location for this genre of filmmaking.”
Diverse Cinematic Offerings
Other productions highlighted at the showcase included the romantic film Penguin Girl, directed by Yan Yuyu, and That Burning House, a juvenile crime thriller helmed by Tsai Yin-chuan. The audience in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center also experienced a preview of the dark comedy TV series A Controversial Entertainer.
TAICCA
Expanding Opportunities for Creatives
This year’s lineup at the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) includes promising projects such as Indigo Boy, the debut feature of Bill Chia, a former music video director. This fantasy film addresses the struggles of children coping with mental health issues.
Founded in 2019, TAICCA aims to act as a catalyst for Taiwan’s cultural content industry. Recent initiatives such as the Taiwan International Co-Funding Program 2.0 (TICP 2.0) aim to invest in collaborative projects by providing up to 49% funding. TAICCA also celebrates successes like the acclaimed Black Ox, a rural epic co-produced with Japan, France, and the U.S., and the award-winning documentary Our Second Home, developed with partners in France and Hong Kong.
“Through partnerships with domestic and international stakeholders, we are committed to enhancing Taiwan’s competitive edge in a dynamic market,” Tsai concluded. “Our goal is to propel Taiwan’s content industry forward and boost its presence on the global stage.”