The pandemic has taught us that human society is not immune to dysfunction, failure, or sudden standstills. When the old order is disrupted, what philosophy of artistic action can emerge in this so-called new normal? And when human activity is put on pause, how might the rest of the world begin to move again? This year, the Taipei Arts Festival advocates for an eco-conscious, non-anthropocentric perspective, repositioning the human within a broader spectrum of non-human spaces. Through art, we return to the ocean, the land, the city, the community, and the myriad sentient beings that co-inhabit our world. These reflections invite a reimagining of coexistence and relationality between humans and the more-than-human world—probing how all beings, in this time and ecological age, possess their own agency, vitality, and voice.
Author臺北表演藝術中心臺北表演藝術中心自2018年起承辦臺北藝術節，作為首善之都的文化名片，期許打造市民接觸藝術的第一哩路以及藝術家的創意基地。透過創造力，對外分享臺北多元文化及社群融合的精神與活力，並承載活絡文創產業，促進台北與國際表演藝術產業的交流發展與對話。2023年起，北藝中心邀請旅法藝術家林人中擔任臺北藝術節策展人，透過其豐富的國際策展工作經驗以及長年關注國內的視覺與表演藝術產業生態的各項交流，本次將與北藝中心共同打造臺北藝術節與當代藝術跨域對話的新方向。
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!
No matter where you are, not just in Taiwan, international movie fans can easily watch too! The first wave of films from emerging creators are now live in our international section. Featuring top selections from prestigious film festivals like Golden Horse Awards and Golden Harvest Awards, as well as many highly anticipated emerging works for you to explore anytime, anywhere!