Returning for the third consecutive year, MTFF offers a cinematic experience lending to the best films emerging out of Taiwan.
Our city has the unique experience of being the first to witness some of Taiwan’s best filmmakers with ACMI’s Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival (not to be mistaken for the Taiwan Film Festival which kickstarts on July 25).
ACMI first hosted the film festival in May 2022 to present films focused on shared topics of concern for Australian and Taiwanese audiences, such as democracy, First Nations, human rights, gender and environmental protection.
Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival
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Some of the themes you can expect these films to explore include coming-of-age, turbulent family dynamics and the backdrop of post-martial law in Taiwan.
The three-day film showcase will include exclusive Q&A sessions with the esteemed directors, allowing the audience a wonderful treat to put forward the burning questions that arose during the screening. It’s not often you get the chance to ask a director face-to-face what inspired their film. And did we forget to mention the tickets are free?
Trouble Girl
- Thursday 30 May at 6:30pm
- Released 2023
- PG classification
Follow Xiao Xiao on her adventures through the tranquil beauty of Taiwanese nature in Trouble Girl brought to us by director Chin Chia-Hua. Viewed as a troublemaker, join Xiao Xiao on her roller-coaster journey of emotions as she navigates close relationships and discovers she’s maybe not so different from her mum. This is the first directed and written film from director Chin Chia-Hua which recently received seven nominations at the 60th Golden Horse Awards.
Lokah Laqi
- Friday 31 May at 6:30pm
- Released 2016
- G classification
Characterised as an enticing spectacle of strength and transformation – the award-winning film Lokah Laqi from director Laha Mebow is an important feature not to be missed. The story closely follows three Indigenous boys, Watan, Chen-Hao and Lin Shan living in their community village as they confront the adversities that go hand-in-hand with growing up. This coming-of-age film delves into the topics of alcoholism and the youth diaspora from Indigenous villages.
Who’ll Stop the Rain
- Saturday 1 June at 6:30pm
- Released 2023
- MA15+ classification
Encapsulating a changing Taiwan – Su Yi-Hsuan’s award-winning film Who’ll Stop the Rain will bring the film festival to an end. The festival favourite is inspired by the student movement of 1994 at Chinese Culture University. The story shows college student Chi-wei joining the protests advocating for freedom of expression which is the first step in her journey of self-discovery.
For information on how to get your free tickets head here and learn more about the program on the MTFF Instagram here.
