AWARDS & PRIZES
The Taiwanese American Film Festival recognizes filmmaking achievement through presentation of juried and balloted awards.
The festival awards and prizes include:
FESTIVAL GRAND JURY AWARD
Presented to a short film that demonstrates overall excellence in content and cinematic technique. $2500 cash prize towards recipient’s next cinematic production.
CULTURAL SPOTLIGHT AWARD
Presented to a short film that demonstrates an innovative way to highlight Taiwanese culture and/or issues. $1500 cash prize towards recipient’s next cinematic production.
AUDIENCE AWARDS
Presented to an audience favorite film, as chosen by audience ballot from each of the screening blocks. Prizes will be sponsored by filmmaking resources - Value $500 for each recipient.






We are now accepting submissions for the Taiwanese American Film Festival slated for August 3-4, 2018 at the Downtown Independent Theater.
The festival will serve its second year as the nation’s premiere showcase for film and media works by Taiwanese American and Taiwanese international cinema artists.
Our ultimate goal is to strengthen the platform for this growing cinema community and to help emerging filmmakers in their next cinematic venture.
Last year’s inaugural one-day festival drew an attendance of over 400 throughout the day and included an intimate showcase of 17 unique films and a sold out panel discussion.
With an additional night this year, we plan to expand our program which will include an Awards Ceremony, opening and closing celebrations, industry panels, and a variety of food, drink and music attractions.
NEVER LET YOU GO
2017 Audience Award winner
MY MOM'S WEDDING
2017 Audience Award winner
WHITE TUNNEL
2017 Cultural Spotlight Award winner
APOLLO 11
2017 Grand Jury Award winner
2018
AUGUST 3-4
DOWNTOWN
INDEPENDENT
OPENING
FEATURE
FRI.
AUG 3

2018
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
AUG. 3
7:00PM - 9:30PM
Opening Feature followed by a Q/A with filmmakers
10:00PM - 1:00AM
Opening Party
SATURDAY
AUG. 4
10AM - 12:00PM
Filmmakers Brunch
12:30PM - 2:00PM
1st Shorts Block followed by a Q/A with filmmakers
2:30PM - 4:00PM
2nd Shorts Block followed by a Q/A with filmmakers
4:30 - 5:30PM
Industry Panel
7:00PM - 9:30PM
Closing Feature followed by a Q/A with filmmakers
10:00PM - 1:00AM
Awards Ceremony followed by Closing Party

COMING
SOON
INDUSTRY PANEL
INDUSTRY
PANEL
4:30PM
5:30PM
SAT.
AUG 4
#METOO
This year we will have a diverse panel of women in the industry, focusing the conversation of overcoming adversity and raising their voices in the turn of the #metoo movement.
~Lineup of guests will be announced shortly!~
PLAY
INDUSTRY PANEL
presented by:
N3XTCON
NATWA
INDUSTRY
PANEL
4:30PM
5:30PM
SAT.
AUG 4
PLAY
presented by:
N3XTCON
NATWA
VISION FOR A NEW WORLD IN FILMMAKING
As a Festival, we are committed to building bridges between the Taiwanese/American community and other minority communities. Given the seismic shift we have experienced with the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, we have chosen to curate a panel of diverse women filmmakers for a discussion about who gets to tell what story and how we can shape a future for everyone.
INDUSTRY PANEL


FESTIVAL INFO
The festival will serve its second year as the nation’s premiere showcase for film and media works by Taiwanese American and Taiwanese international cinema artists.
Our ultimate goal is to strengthen the platform for this growing cinema community and to help emerging filmmakers in their next cinematic venture.
Last year’s inaugural one-day festival drew an attendance of over 400 throughout the day and included an intimate showcase of 17 unique films and a sold out panel discussion.
With an additional night this year, we plan to expand our program which will include an awards ceremony, opening and closing celebrations, industry panels, and a variety of food, drink and music attractions.
2018
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
AUG. 3
7:00PM - 9:30PM
Opening Feature followed by a Q/A with filmmakers
10:00PM - 1:00AM
Opening Party
SATURDAY
AUG. 4
10AM - 12:00PM
Filmmakers Brunch
12:30PM - 2:00PM
1st Shorts Block followed by a Q/A with filmmakers
2:30PM - 4:00PM
2nd Shorts Block followed by a Q/A with filmmakers
4:30 - 5:30PM
Industry Panel
7:00PM - 9:30PM
Closing Feature followed by a Q/A with filmmakers
10:00PM - 1:00AM
Awards Ceremony followed by Closing Party
SUBMISSION DEADLINES/FEES
Feb 2 - $15
Earlybird deadline
Mar 9 - $25
Regular deadline
Apr 13 - $35
Final deadline
May 4 - $45
Extended deadline
SUBMISSION INFO
ELIGIBILITY
The Taiwanese American Film Festival accepts short films and mediaworks directed, written or produced by a Taiwanese and/or Taiwanese American person.
If the director, writer, producer is non-Taiwanese, the film must involve Taiwanese themes about, but not limited to, Taiwanese and/or Taiwanese American culture, history and experiences.
Currently we are accepting short films, music videos and/or media works under 25 mins in length that have been produced after January 1, 2016. ALL genres are eligible for consideration.
SUBMIT
Submit one of two ways:
withoutabox
submit >>
filmfreeway
submit >>
TAP Members submit for FREE! Limit one waiver per member. Find out more about Taiwanese American Professionals Membership here


SPONSORS
DIAMOND
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
AWARD
FOOD/BEVERAGE
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
VENUES
ORGANIZERS


Anthony Ma
Executive Director
Lien Chen
Marketing Director
Matthew Hayashida
Art Director
TAP-LA
Taiwanese American Professionals (TAP) enhances the Taiwanese-American community by networking individuals interested in professional and career development while emphasizing the promotion and preservation of Taiwanese American cultural identity.
TAP-LA is a chapter of Taiwanese American Professionals, a national program of Taiwanese American Citizens League (TACL). TAP chapters make up the largest network of Taiwanese American young professionals in the United States, and can be found in most major cities spanning coast to coast.
Roxy Shih
Festival Director
Edwin Yu
Creative Director
JC Chang
Founder




Ling Family Trust
Ben Ling



7:00PM - 9:30PM


SUNSET SUNRISE
FRI.
AUG 3
7:30PM
9:30PM
Directed by
Bruce Hsin-Ta Chiu
SYNOPSIS
Owing to the self-condemnation of not being a good mother, Lily, a traditional Chinese woman, tries to “change” her son, Bao, from being gay. However, her action almost causes a tragedy of losing her son.
DIRECTOR'S BIO
Born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, Bruce Hsin-Ta Chiu is an experienced director, photographer and cinematographer. Before coming to the United States, Bruce had worked as a director in the production company “Amazing Image Studio” he co-founded for five years. His works include commercials, documentaries and short films, and got selected at USC Asian Pacific Film Festival, Taiwanese American Film Festival, Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards, and Formosa Festival of International Filmmaker Awards, etc. With a strong ambition to become a feature film director, he is currently studying film production at USC School of Cinematic Arts, Los Angeles, focusing on directing and cinematography.