Melbourne, Australia | 21 May 2026 — The 5th Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival (MTFF) officially opened this evening at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), drawing close to 400 attendees. The opening screening was presented to a full house at ACMI’s cinema.
Under the theme “Transition,” this year’s festival features four Taiwanese films reflecting on Taiwan’s historical journey from authoritarian rule to democracy. The opening ceremony was attended by Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill, representatives from the Victorian Government, and leaders from various community sectors. Members of the diplomatic corps in attendance included Acting U.S. Consul General in Melbourne Jordana Cox and Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Melbourne Jin-kwan Oh. The Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne has also confirmed attendance at subsequent festival screenings.
In his opening remarks, MTFF Chair Professor Yao-chung Chang noted that the festival has grown from a small community initiative into a recurring fixture on Melbourne’s cultural calendar, while remaining committed to its founding vision of bringing Taiwanese stories to broader Australian audiences through free, non-profit cultural programming. He said the theme “Transition” reflects not only Taiwan’s historical transformation, but also the subtle shifts that occur within families and across generations. Taiwanese cinema, he noted, places people at its center, telling stories of family, democracy, memory, belonging, and resilience.
Assistant Minister Julian Hill remarked that he had visited Taiwan twice and was therefore no stranger to Taiwan. He noted that Australia and Taiwan share many common experiences as multicultural societies, and that there remains significant potential for further cultural and community engagement between the two sides. He described the Taiwan Film Festival as a vivid example of such people-to-people exchange.
Director General Ray Ming-Tze Lu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Melbourne was invited to deliver remarks on Taiwan’s current circumstances. Director General Lu stated that the festival theme “Transition” is not merely symbolic for Taiwan, but part of Taiwan’s lived historical experience. Taiwan has gone through that journey and emerged as a free and democratic society where people choose their own leaders, tell their own stories, and live their own lives. He emphasized: “Taiwan is not a problem. Taiwan is a democratic society. We know who we are. This is Taiwan, and it has always been so.”
Director General Lu also quoted Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran: “Yesterday is but today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’s dream.” He reflected that five years ago, a group of people began with a simple belief — that Taiwan has stories worth telling, and that Melbourne is a city willing to listen. The gathering tonight of nearly 200 guests at the opening reception, including diplomatic representatives from the United States and the Republic of Korea as well as Australian political and community leaders, he said, demonstrated how Taiwan continues to deepen shared values with like-minded partners through cultural engagement.
President of the Australia Taiwan Club Luke Donnellan emphasized that the multicultural and community ties between Taiwan and Australia form one of the strongest foundations of the bilateral relationship. Film, he noted, serves as a bridge that transcends language and cultural backgrounds, fostering mutual understanding and resonance between people.
Three participating directors travelled to Melbourne to attend post-screening discussions in person: Pan Ke-lin, director of Family Matters; Shen Ko-shang, director of Deep Quiet Room; and Tang Sheng-rong, director of The Photo from 1977. Director Chen Yu-hsun of the closing film A Foggy Tale joined the post-screening Q&A virtually.
The festival program includes the opening film Family Matters (21 May), Deep Quiet Room (22 May), The Photo from 1977 (23 May), and the closing film A Foggy Tale (23 May). Directed by Chen Yu-hsun, A Foggy Tale draws upon memories of Taiwan’s White Terror period and uses the imagery of mist and fog to portray the people and experiences that form part of Taiwan’s historical memory. The festival runs at ACMI from 21 to 23 May.
Photo Captions
Photo 1 | Cinema Group Photo
The opening screening of Family Matters at the 5th Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival drew a full audience at ACMI, with the organizing team and director posing for a group photo before nearly 400 attendees.
Photo 2 | Family Matters Post-Screening Discussion
Director Pan Ke-lin (center) engages with audience members during the post-screening discussion of Family Matters, sharing insights into the film’s creative process and the human stories behind Taiwanese family life.
Photo 3 | Opening Ceremony Group Photo
Diplomatic representatives, Australian political and community leaders, festival organizers, and participating directors gather for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the 5th Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival.
Photo 4 | Five-Person Group Photo
From left: Professor Yao-chung Chang, Chair of the Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival; Director General Ray Ming-Tze Lu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Melbourne; Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill; Dr. George Hong of the Australasian Taiwan Studies Association; and Dr. Phyllis Huang pose for a photo in front of the MTFF backdrop.
