The Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (YIDFF) awards presentation was held in Japan on Oct. 15, where Taiwanese works stood out with remarkable achievements.
“Park (公園)” by So Yo-hen (蘇育賢) received the Award of Excellence in the International Competition, while “The Tales of the Tale (侯硐奇譚)” by Song Cheng-ying (宋承穎) and Hu Chin-ya (胡清雅) won the Award of Excellence in the New Asian Currents section.
This year’s YIDFF received 1,318 submissions from 129 countries and regions for the International Competition, with 15 works selected as finalists. The New Asian Currents section attracted 1,358 entries from 75 countries, from which 20 films were chosen for screening.
Minister of Culture Li Yuan noted that these documentaries reflect the many facets of Taiwanese society and amplify the voices of its people, while also showcasing the diverse perspectives and cultural depth of Taiwan’s creators. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuing its support for bringing stories from Taiwan to audiences around the world.
Taiwan’s Representative to Japan, Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋), remarked that the outstanding performance of Taiwanese documentaries at the festival demonstrates the maturity of Taiwan’s filmmakers and has drawn greater attention from the international community.
The Taiwan Cultural Center in Japan stated that by examining Taiwan’s society through its urban public spaces and mining communities, the award-winning works resonate with international audiences through their moving imagery. The center expressed its intention to continue engaging and collaborating with the YIDFF to further promote Taiwanese documentaries.