As a longtime supporter of independent cinema and someone who has attended numerous film festivals around the world, I must say that Sundance Asia is rapidly becoming one of my favorite events. The energy and excitement at this year’s edition, held for the first time in Taiwan, was palpable. It was truly inspiring to see Hollywood creatives mingling with local filmmakers, exchanging tips on everything from jetlag survival to skateboarding in the streets of Taipei at 4 a.m.!
Sundance Asia has officially kicked off in Taipei, Taiwan.
For the next five days, fifteen full-length movies and six short films will be showcased at the Asian edition of the Sundance Film Festival, with “Didi” by Taiwanese-American director Sean Wang serving as the opening night’s main attraction.
Prior to the debut of Wang’s award-winning film (which garnered both the audience award and a special jury prize for its ensemble at the Park City festival) in Taiwan, the Legacy Taipei hosted the opening ceremony gala. The event brought together Hollywood creators with local filmmakers and actors. Attendees included Nina Yang Bongiovi, producer of “Fancy Dance”, Lawrence Sher, cinematographer for “Joker 2”, Brendan Bellomo, director of “Porcelain War”, Caroline Lindy and Kayla Foster, directors and producer of “Your Monster”, Wang and Esther Liu, Chen Yi-Wen, Hank Chen, and Aviis Zhong.
Many travelers arrived from Toronto and Los Angeles, and at this event, they shared strategies for overcoming jet lag. Wang and film director Jack Begert decided to go skateboarding on the streets of Taipei at 4 a.m., while others explored convenience stores like 7-11 or relied on Red Bull for an energy boost. A few opted to catch up on work, and as the opening ceremony began and over 250 people gathered for the “Didi” screening, there was a noticeable increase in anticipation throughout the venue.
Since its debut in 2016, Sundance Asia has experienced significant growth and expansion. The event now offers an increased number of movie screenings, discussions, and workshops. As the Institute strives to build a connection between professionals who have worked on major Hollywood films and local filmmakers in Taiwan, these additional activities are designed to facilitate this collaboration.
At the 2023 Sundance Film Festival: Asia, which took place in Taiwan for the first time, we found that Taiwan possesses a robust capacity for events and film production,” Kim Yutani, director of programs at the Sundance Institute, stated during the event. “Our aim is to encourage more collaborations between Asian and global independent filmmakers. I’m excited to engage with everyone in Taipei.”
As a film enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I must say that this year’s event has truly caught my attention. With its impressive lineup of 14 master panels and workshops, there’s no shortage of learning opportunities for those passionate about the industry. However, it’s the AI panel that particularly piqued my interest, given my own background in technology and its intersection with storytelling.
At the start of the event, the jury prize for the top short film, given by Gold House, went to “Suo Jiang” directed by Lin Chien-yu who was previously a production designer. Bing Chen, one of the co-founders of Gold House, presented the award. Along with the honor, the winner received 50,000 New Taiwan Dollars and became a member of Gold House.
As a seasoned filmmaker with years of experience under my belt, I am excited to engage in a conversation later this week with some esteemed industry professionals, including Chen, Christine Yi (General Manager of Futures at Gold House), Bongiovi, and director Lloyd Choi. This discussion, titled “A Filmmaker’s Creative & Financing Journey,” promises to be an enlightening experience as we share insights and tips on the intricacies of filmmaking. The event is part of Sundance Asia, which runs from August 21-25, a festival that I have always admired for its dedication to showcasing independent films and fostering creativity in the industry. I am looking forward to this opportunity to learn from my peers and contribute to the vibrant filmmaking community.
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2024-08-22 05:16