A short movie highlighting the attractions of southern Taiwan’s Pingtung County was named Best East Asian Film at the inaugural Japan World’s Tourism Film Festival March 14 in Osaka.
Produced by the local government and Taipei City-based HXM Music Studio, “Sea and Light—Let’s Meet in Pingtung” spotlights 15 visitor facilities and scenic locations including Eluanbi Lighthouse, National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Shuiwaku Ecotourism Village and Shanchuan Glass Suspension Bridge.
The film was created to promote this year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival, which wrapped up March 3 in the county and attracted 13.39 million visitors.
Pingtung Magistrate Pan Men-an said that the local government is committed to using innovative multimedia approaches to boost awareness of the diverse cultures, mouthwatering produce and unique landscapes of Taiwan’s southernmost county.
The Japan award marks the latest recognition of these efforts, after the county government’s promotional movie “I Left My Heart in Pingtung” won a prize at Portugal’s ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival in 2016, Pan added.
Sandy Huang, who produced the short film and wrote its original music, expressed gratitude to Pingtung County Government for supporting Taiwan talent and giving her the opportunity to share the nation’s beauty with foreign audiences.
According to PCG, this year’s lantern festival has raised Pingtung’s profile, as evidenced by the number of featured installations set to go on display at overseas events. Three lanterns will be exhibited at the Maritime Museum of Denmark in August and next February’s Copenhagen Light Festival.
Launched by Wakayama University, JWTFF is a platform for international exchanges on tourism films. The maiden festival attracted submissions from 76 countries and territories including Croatia, France, India, Peru and Spain, PCG said. (CPY-E)
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