2015 Taichung International Animation Festival is coming soon! Transforming Taichung into a city of animation

Words by Gao Yong Mou Translated by S. Ying
Photos by Taichung City Government Information Bureau

Cultural products such as movies can help showcase a city's highlights and include animated films ideal for all ages.

The Taichung International Animation Festival--Taiwan's largest--will open in October with an International Film Exhibition and Taiwan Animation Film Contest. Over 379 works were submitted to the competition and nominated entrees will be announced in early August, with a total of about 44 animated films being shown at Top City's Vieshow Cinema between Oct. 16 and 23. Final awards will be announced at the closing ceremony on Oct. 23 with the winner receiving a prize of NT$500,000.

Although the 2015 Taichung International Animation Festival isn't yet open to international contestants, Taichung audiences can still view globally-renowned animated films and the festival has invited internationally respected judges to ensure a fair judging process and overseas promotion, with the goal of making this event Asia's largest animated film festival.

Expectations of becoming an international 'Animation City'
The 2015 Taichung International Animation Festival was created through the efforts of Taichung City Mayor Lin Chia-lung and Taichung City Government Information Bureau Director-General Kuan-Ting Cho, as well as festival director Ms. Chen, as part of on-going efforts to promote animation around Taiwan.

Director-General Cho pointed out that Taichung City Government was eager to promote the film industry in order to achieve the goal of becoming a "Creative City and Lifestyle Capital City" and help residents expand their horizons via contact with different types of movies. In addition, the festival is also designed to boost Taichung's profile in the global community as it strives to become an international hub for animated movies.

ABISAnimation scroll for "RE"

Film festivals have been hosted in Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan and Kaohsiung and Mayor Lin is leading efforts to use animated films as the theme for his own city's film festival. Director Chen noted that there were Taichung universities such as Asia University, Chaoyang University of Technology, Overseas Chinese University and Ling Tung University that were all great breeding grounds for animation talent and optimal for developing the city's animated film industry.

Also noting that Dayeh University in Changhua city and Tainan National University of the Arts were other important Taiwanese incubators for animation talent, Ms. Chen said that hosting this festival in central Taiwan was great for integrating resources from both northern and southern Taiwan, further adding to Taichung's appeal as a Taiwan animated film industry hub.

As the gaming industry is related to animated film-making and very lucrative with tremendous growth potential, holding the film festival has the potential to further raise this industry to new heights. Towards all of these goals, Chen hopes that Taichung can emulate the efforts of the Festival International du Film d'Animation d'Annecy, held in Annecy, France. This little town of 30,000 residents, near the French-Swiss border, attracts tourists from around the world each year in a big boost for its tourism industry.

Animation characters in the movie "Noon"

International contestants welcome next year
The 2015 Taichung International Animation Festival will begin in October and a professional judging panel will select winners, announced in the closing ceremony. The affiliated International Film Exhibition will air hundreds of animated movies and host 41 seminars to discuss animation-related topics.

There will be a NT$500,000 grand prize for the Taiwan animation film contest winner; a Taichung Award of NT$200,000, a special Judges' Nomination Award of NT$100,000, a special Student Award of NT$50,000 and various honorable-mention awards.

Nominated animated film "Abyss"

Out of the 379 animation entries, contestants included famous animation studios, film directors and other animated film industry companies. Notably, many Taichung contestants were among 44 selected award nominees. Although there will be no international contestants allowed this year, widespread international interest in this event means that international participants will be welcomed in the film competition next year, hopefully adding international exposure for Taiwanese animated films.

Ticket Info:
Tickets go on sale at noon on 9/18 at all 7-Eleven i-bon kiosks.
Free event tickets (with NT$25 i-bon kiosk fee).