The rights protected by the two covenants are vast and far-reaching—so much so that even if we narrated them like a modern-day One Thousand and One Nights, we might still never finish. And yet, there’s so much we want to say, and only so much we can say. From refugees and the principle of non-refoulement, to inclusive education for persons with disabilities; from climate change and the right to adequate food, to Losheng Sanatorium and the fight against forced eviction; from state violence to transitional justice—these layered issues form a dense, interwoven fabric. Even if we only manage to capture fleeting glimpses, we still hope that through each human rights film festival, and through every note we take along the way, we can preserve a few shimmering fragments of truth. Together, we may begin to outline the most vivid and realistic images of human rights. Don’t forget: After watching any film in this program, be sure to complete the survey. It’s not just a way to deepen your understanding of the human rights themes linked to the covenants—it’s also your chance to enter our prize draw!
Author法務部法務部的業務，關係民主法治的發展與人權公義的維護。 法務部是我國法務行政的主管機關，掌理全國檢察、矯正、司法保護、政風及行政院的法律事務。 所屬機關依業務性質分5大系統，一、檢察機關；二、調查機關；三、矯正機關；四、行政執行機關；五、廉政機構。 分別負責打擊犯罪、為民眾伸張正義、矯正教化收容人、輔導更生人、保護犯罪被害人、推動廉政革新、提供法規諮商、執行公法上金錢債權等各項重要施政工作。 法務部同仁的全心付出，就是要讓人民有安全、安定、安心的生活環境。
Taiwan has long since become the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and LGBTQ+ lives seem to be increasingly woven into everyday life. Yet, when we turn our gaze to Asia’s mainstream media and cinema, where are the stories of lesbian women? The love left unspoken, the relationships that defy definition, and the intimacies that blur the line between friendship and romance—are they still hidden beyond the frame? And when lesbian women do appear on screen, how often are their stories truly told from their own perspectives? This time, through a collection of films, we summon those who have always been there, yet have rarely been seen. “I summon you by this name. Reveal yourself.”
The Taiwan Film Festival of Boston is dedicated to showcasing Taiwan’s diverse cultures and social landscapes through cinema while fostering meaningful exchange between Taiwanese filmmakers and North American audiences. Since 2011, the New Taipei City Documentary Film Award has supported documentary filmmaking and encouraged creators to engage with their times, capturing lived experiences and social realities through the moving image. Together, the two organizations present this virtual film festival, featuring outstanding works from past editions of the Taiwan Film Festival of Boston and the New Taipei City Documentary Film Award. By bringing Taiwanese stories of ecology, culture, identity, and coming of age beyond geographical boundaries, this collaboration invites audiences around the world to discover Taiwan through the lens of documentary filmmaking and engage in cross-cultural dialogue. Through the power of documentary cinema, the festival seeks to foster greater cross-cultural understanding, celebrate the creativity and vitality of Taiwan’s documentary tradition, and strengthen connections between New Taipei City, Taiwanese filmmakers, and international film communities. New Taipei City Documentary Award Section Title | Habitats of Life Envisioning a Sustainable Future Where People and the Environment Thrive Together From oceans and forests to where Indigenous communities and cities meet, life seeks ways to survive, grow, and belong. Where the Bees Belong, Hearing from the Dolphin, The Elimination, A Tayal, and Childhood In Between explore ecological conservation, wildlife conditions, cultural heritage, and identity, revealing complex relationships between people, nature, and society. As habitats shift and generations change, each story shows how life responds to environmental and social challenges while seeking new possibilities for coexistence. Echoing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this program invites audiences to reconsider habitat not only as a physical place, but also as an ecological, cultural, and emotional home—and to imagine a more diverse, inclusive, and sustainable future. The online screenings held in collaboration with the New Taipei City Documentary Film Awards concluded successfully on October 11. Some films have been taken offline as scheduled. We invite you to continue enjoying the other outstanding films available on the platform!
“Lu-se” (魯蛇, Taiwanese internet slang borrowed from the English word “loser”) seems to have become a dead word. You rarely hear anyone say it anymore, and I’m not sure why. I don’t think the term can be understood simply as the English “loser.” In the way it’s used in Taiwan, it seems to carry a touch of self-deprecating humor, and that’s a quality I really love. The films above are the ones that, to me, have that feeling.