Taiwanese films competing for the 98th Academy Awards were screened in the U.S. city of Los Angeles Nov. 11-20, boosting the visibility of local works in North America.
Organized by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), the Focus on Taiwan event screened “Left-Handed Girl,” “Side A: A Summer Day” and “From Island to Island” during the Nov. 11-20 Asian World Film Festival. The latter two were also screened at American Cinematheque Nov. 16.
According to the TAICCA, “Left-Handed Girl” has been selected as Taiwan’s official submission in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, while “Side A: A Summer Day” and “From Island to Island” are both nominated for Oscars in the Live Action Short Film and Documentary Feature Film categories, respectively.
TAICCA Chair Sue Wang said the AWFF allowed Taiwanese films to demonstrate their remarkable creativity to industry professionals in North America, adding that the collaboration with the AC further underscored their distinctive strengths and award-winning potential.
A series of post-screening events were also held to bring together Academy members, film critics, filmmakers and industry professionals for in-depth exchanges, the TAICCA said.
According to TAICCA, “Side A: A Summer Day” director Wan Kin-fai highlighted that the idea of home is rooted in deeply connected relationships, while “Left-Handed Girl” director Tsou Shih-ching noted that everyday themes, especially family, are both local and universal, enabling viewers everywhere to relate. “From Island to Island” director Lau Kek-huat said the documentary depicts painful memories from World War II and expressed hope that the film will showcase Taiwan’s resilience to global audiences. (YCH-E)
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