The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) enters its 42nd year this year and will run from November 3rd to 27th. The Taiwan Academy of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles cooperates with the Hawaii International Film Festival for the 12th year to launch "Spotlight on Taiwan", an in-person and online screening of 8 Taiwanese films at Consolidated Theatres Kahala in Hawaii. This includes a special screening of "Goddamned Ashura," a film that will represent Taiwan for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards.
"Spotlight on Taiwan" presents films with good box office and good reputation. The film "Godmanned Ashura," which is based on actual events, investigates the ripple effects of a random murder incident by bringing out the complex and multi-layered psychology of six characters. " Mama Boy" is a romantic comedy depicting the process of an innocent boy looking for love and self-worth in the parent-child relationship and in real life. The film "Gaga", nominated for 6 Golden Horse Awards and chosen for the "Indigenous Lens" section of HIFF, is to tell how the three generations of the Atayal tribe had conflicts over political values and different cultures. "Demi God", adapted from the legendary puppet show hero Su Huan Zhen, won the Best Animation Award at the Taipei Film Festival. The four features all have an impressive cast. In addition, "Goddamned Asura" and "Mama Boy" directors Lou Yian and Arvin Chen will be present for the post-screening discussion to share the underlying narratives.
The short film program will be broadcast online in the United States, including "Tank Fairy," a film that explores gender identity and won the Best Narrative Short Film Award at the Frameline San Francisco International Film Festival. And "To the Sea," a short film that subtly conveys the caregivers' powerlessness and pressure. The short films "Swallow," which Taiwan and Japan jointly produced , and "Do Not Go Gentle in Taipei," which depict the connection between men and women in Taipei City, will also be shown.
The Hawaii International Film Festival promotes cultural exchanges between Asia, the Pacific Islands, and North America through films. It is one of the few film festivals in the United States that attaches great importance to Asian-Pacific films and emerging directors.
This year, 102 feature films and 124 short films from more than 30 countries will be screened. An in-person film festival will run from November 3 to November 20, while a streamed online screening will run from November 3 to November 27. The award presentation will take place on November 13. For more film festival tickets and information, please visit https://hiff.org/
Press Contact: Felicia Cheng
- Cultural Officer Taiwan Academy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles
- Email: felicia@moc.gov.tw
- Tel: (213) 403-0168 #10
