Taiwan Makes Its Mark at Annecy With VR Innovation and Diverse Animation Slate

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2023’s Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Market is witnessing Taiwan making a significant impact, featuring numerous works spanning both competition and market segments. Known as the globe’s top animation gathering, the event officially begins on June 8 and continues through the 10th.

At the forefront is “Hungry,” a virtual reality exploration that modernizes Taiwanese glove puppetry using advanced technology for immersion. This innovative work, led by Liu Yu-Shu and influenced by nostalgic recollections of the traditional art form, has been selected for the VR Works competition category at Annecy.

As a captivated admirer, I’m excited to share that “Hungry” seamlessly merges conventional art performances with state-of-the-art VR and animation technologies. This innovative project has garnered support from Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA)’s 2023 Future Content Grant and has been chosen for the 2024 FilmGate Interactive Media Festival in Miami. At the moment, it’s a star attraction in “Portals of Solitude: Virtual Experiences from Taiwan,” a VR exhibition jointly organized by TAICCA and New York’s Museum of the Moving Image.

At the market areas, “Poems of Life” by director Wu De-chuen is the only Asian entry in MIFA Pitches – Immersive Experiences. This innovative project merges paper crafts, 3D animation, and VR technology to guide viewers on a post-apocalyptic adventure featuring a young boy and a vividly colored bird.

As a representative of Taipei National University of the Arts, Althea Huang’s stop-motion animation titled “The Translation of Wilderness” has been selected for the MIFA Student Pitch. This project combines stunning visuals with the “voices of the wilderness,” skillfully blending artistic innovation with commercial attractiveness.

The diverse lineup of featured acts encompasses various genres, with “Bliss: Beyond the Edge of Time” serving as the headliner – a captivating sci-fi anthology composed of six self-contained stories. Notable contributors to this project are Chiu Li-wei, winner of the Golden Horse Award, and Liu Yu-Shu, who delve into the conflict between impersonal technology and heartfelt humanity.

Notable projects under development also feature “Blue Runners,” helmed by the accomplished director Huang Shih-ming, famous for his animation work on the Golden Horse Award-winning film “On Happiness Road.” This production transforms Chang Ying-min’s acclaimed novel into a heartfelt tale of growth and resilience.

In “Puringau,” director Liao Tai-yu employs Taiwanese Indigenous folklore to weave a chilling narrative about nature and the supernatural, while Erik Lee’s “Tag” chronicles the transformation of a young gangster as he seeks atonement after inadvertently stepping into the criminal underworld.

Completing our roster is “Wacky Tidy Pals,” directed by the award-winning animator Redic Hsu from Golden Horse, which presents a whimsical journey. In this tale, four unique characters, acting as cleaners, tackle unruly supernatural occurrences, all while providing laughter and valuable life lessons.

As a movie reviewer, I’ve had the pleasure of previewing four captivating films that were once part of TAICCA’s Creative Content Development Program: “Blue Runners,” “Puringau,” “Tag,” and “Wacky Tidy Pals.” This program serves as a nurturing ground for early-stage creative development, helping these projects shine.

In simpler terms, I got a sneak peek at four amazing movies that were once in their infancy thanks to the support from TAICCA’s program designed to foster creativity!

As a follower, I’m thrilled to be part of the spotlight this year at the Taiwan Pavilion, where 31 companies and 47 incredible animations are displayed. This diverse collection showcases the rich talent in Taiwanese animation. Among the highlights, you’ll find the second season of “Brave Animated Series,” which made history as Taiwan’s first animated series on Netflix. Also, don’t miss out on other captivating shows such as “Deer May,” “Flamie Rangers,” “Yaya’s Band,” and “Beerua’s Yum Yum Time.

The full-length animated films “Jhugeshiro – The Demon Society” and the award-winning “Clouded Leopard,” which clinched the Grand Prize at the 2024 TCCF Pitching, are also included in the program.

Alice Chang, as TAICCA’s deputy CEO, showed great enthusiasm about how Taiwanese creators consistently stand out on a worldwide scale, speaking in a uniquely Taiwanese manner.

The Taiwan Pavilion and exhibit are funded by the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, which falls under the Ministry of Culture.

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2025-06-06 09:47