Sundance Film Festival: Asia expands its horizons in Taiwan
A growing celebration of independent cinema
The Sundance Film Festival: Asia has made a triumphant return to Taiwan, marking its second consecutive year in Taipei. This year, the festival has expanded significantly, reflecting Taiwan’s commitment to nurturing the filmmaking industry. The event, which previously spanned three days, now extends over five, showcasing a diverse array of 15 feature films, including Didi, Sujo, Little Death, and Your Monster. This expansion not only highlights the best of U.S. independent storytelling but also underscores Taiwan’s growing influence in the cinematic world.
A platform for filmmakers and audiences
Kim Yutani, the director of programming for the Sundance Film Festival, expressed her enthusiasm for the festival’s growth in Taiwan. “Connecting filmmakers to audiences is at the heart of what we do,” she said. This year’s festival saw an increase in filmmaker attendance, with eight filmmakers participating compared to just two last year. The event also doubled its panels and masterclasses, providing a richer experience for attendees.
Hollywood’s presence in Taipei
The festival attracted notable Hollywood figures who shared their expertise with aspiring storytellers. Among them were Alan Taylor, director of “Game of Thrones,” Lisa Joy, showrunner of “Fallout,” producer Nina Yang Bongiovi, and Lawrence Sher, cinematographer of “Joker 2.” These industry veterans led panels on the importance of talent and casting in securing production greenlights and shared valuable lessons learned on set. Filmmakers Sean Wang (Didi) and Caroline Lindy (Your Monster) also discussed their experiences working with performers.
Nurturing local talent
One of the festival’s highlights was the inaugural Intensive Screenwriters workshop, designed to support emerging Asian filmmakers. Yutani emphasized the importance of discovering new talent through short films, a format she holds dear. “Short films are a place of discovery,” she said. “To spot a filmmaker with a vision from their short film is a gift to programmers and curators.”
Taiwanese filmmakers had the exclusive opportunity to submit their short films for competition. The jury prize for best short film, presented by Gold House, was awarded to Suo Jiang by production designer-turned-director Lin Chien-yu.
Building a supportive community
Mary Sadeghy, Sundance Institute’s Head of Partnerships and Events, attributed the festival’s success to strong partnerships, particularly with festival partners in Asia, Jonathan Liao and Kevin Lin. She described them as the “heartbeat” of the festival. Support from TAICCA, a ministry of culture-funded intermediary, has been instrumental in promoting content across various media, including film, TV, music, comic books, and games.
Sadeghy highlighted the importance of these partnerships in driving the festival’s mission forward. “Mission is everything,” she said. “When you find a partnership that helps keep your mission enduring, it’s a special and unique opportunity.”
Taiwan’s cinematic future
Taiwan’s filmmaking industry is on the rise, with local productions increasing from 10% to 16% last year. Efforts from the government and other organizations are helping to create a more robust funding system, enabling filmmakers at all levels to access the resources they need to produce high-quality independent films.
As Taiwan continues to establish itself in the Asian film market, festivals like Sundance play a crucial role in supporting and advancing the work of storytellers. By bringing in top talent and fostering meaningful conversations, the festival provides invaluable resources to emerging filmmakers.
Yutani concluded, “The best thing we can do when we go to a place is to make ourselves available to the people on the ground, the emerging storytellers, and for them to understand that Sundance is a place for them.”
Explore the films
For those interested in exploring the films mentioned, here are direct links to their trailers and information pages:
The Sundance Film Festival: Asia in Taiwan is more than just a celebration of cinema; it’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of nurturing new voices in the industry.