Asian World Film Festival Spotlights Taiwan with Special Program

The Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) is set to celebrate Taiwanese cinema with its special program, Focus on Taiwan, from November 13 to 17, 2025, at the Culver Theater in Culver City, California. This initiative highlights the rich cultural heritage and creativity of Taiwan through a selection of films, including submissions for the Academy Awards.

Director and co-writer Shih-Ching Tsou will showcase “Left-Handed Girl,” which represents Taiwan in the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards. The film, acclaimed for its poignant storytelling, recently secured the Best Film award at the Rome Film Festival. Tsou will be joined by co-writer and editor Sean Baker and cast members Shih-Yuan Ma and Nina Ye during a post-screening Q&A on November 14.

The Focus on Taiwan program is supported by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and the Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles. Attendees can expect to engage with filmmakers and cast members after select screenings, providing insight into the creative processes behind the films.

Key highlights of the program include several noteworthy entries. “From Island to Island,” directed by Lau Kek-huat, is Taiwan’s submission for Best Documentary Feature Film. The film has garnered multiple awards, including the Best Documentary at the 2024 Golden Horse Awards. “Side A: A Summer Day,” directed by Wan Kin-Fai, is an Oscar-qualifying entry for Best Live Action Short Film, having won the 2024 Golden Horse Short Film Award. Additionally, “Marching Boys,” directed by Jui-Chih Chiang, is a nominee for the 2025 Golden Horse Awards and will have its U.S. premiere at the festival.

Georges N. Chamchoum, executive director of AWFF, emphasized the importance of showcasing films that embody the spirit and history of their regions. “This year’s Focus on Taiwan showcases some of the island’s most acclaimed films and is an invitation to see Taiwan through its storytellers,” he stated.

The full AWFF lineup runs from November 11 to 20, 2025, and includes a total of 73 feature-length and short films from over 30 Asian countries. The festival will screen 23 official Oscar submissions for Best International Feature Film, making it a significant platform for Asian cinema.

In addition to the Taiwanese focus, the 2025 festival will also highlight films from Cambodia, South Korea, and Kyrgyzstan. This year’s lineup reflects AWFF’s commitment to fostering creative exchange between East and West, celebrating cinematic excellence rooted in culture and storytelling.

The AWFF is recognized as a launchpad for awards-season contenders and remains the only Los Angeles-based festival showcasing the majority of Asian submissions for the Academy Award® and Golden Globe® categories. It is a nonprofit organization under Aitysh USA and continues to strengthen the presence of Asian cinema in the international film landscape.

For ticket information and further details on the festival, visit asianworldfilmfest.org/2025-festival-lineup.