The 13th Annual Vancouver Taiwanese Film Festival returns this summer from June 21st to June 25th at the Vancouver International Film Centre. Now the largest film festival of its kind in America, it still remains committed to its original mandate of providing a cultural bridge between Canada and Taiwan through the art of cinema.
Vancouver Taiwanese Film Festival is hosted by Vancouver Taiwanese Film Society, and title sponsored by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Bureau, R.O.C. (Taiwan). With the mission to promote and celebrate of Taiwanese art, culture and cinematic excellence, this year’s festival programming includes 11 screenings of both short and feature length films in addition to Q+A’s with select award-winning directors.
Being a “Guardian:” Gather the Courage to Protect What We Treasure
This year’s festival features 10 specially chosen films that make us consider our guardianship roles in life. From exploring the balance between tourism and marine conservation, to a fallen international icon who fights his way back into the Major Leagues, all of the films in this year’s festival hope to inspire us to protect our dreams, our environment, our culture, and our people—all for the betterment of the world.
Opening film Lost Black Cat’s 35th Squadron is a riveting documentary about the secret spy mission the Black-Cats-Squadron embarked on for 14 years during the Cold War to guard their homeland. Closing film Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story follow the story of Chien-Ming Wang, the first and only Taiwanese player to be Ace of the New York Yankees. The film highlights his courage to continue with training after his injury and his desire to continue with his dream. Our Youth in Taiwan, the Best Documentary winner of the 55th Golden Horse Awards, exploring the inherent tension of collaborating with unlikely allies within social movements, the film highlights the journey youth are taking to protect and guard the democratic values of their beloved home country.
Director Jonathan Yang, Frank W. Chen and Yue Fu will all be in attendance for their respective films for a post screening Q&A.
Beautiful Island Nation – Valuing Culture and Marine Conservation
This year’s film festival design concept revolves around ocean life and Aboriginal arts. The inspiration was drawn from Long Time No Sea, which elaborates on the Aboriginal Tao Tribe cultural history of Orchid Island, and the importance of marine conservation and waste reduction as highlighted by The Plastic Bag.
Adapted from a true story, Long Time No Sea follows the story of Tao Tribe young generation on the Orchid Island as they explore their potentials and reclaim their lost pride and courage. The Plastic Bag tells the story of Lu, a passionate anti-plastic activist who finds herself conflicted in trying to find a balance between the tourism that drives the local economy and marine conservation of Liuqiu Island, the natural habitat of the endangered green sea turtles.
Other featured films include Golden Horse Best Feature Film winner The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful, best Taiwanese Kung Fu action film in the last decade The Scoundrels, stylistic experimental mockumentary Xiao Mei, heartwarming family film Sen Sen and mystery crime film High Flash, and a collection of short films.
June 21st – 25th, 2019
at Vancouver International Film Centre (1181 Seymour St. Vancouver)
Tickets on Sale Now!
More information, please visit www.TWFF.ca.
