2017
Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane

2017 Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane
The 2017 Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane was held on 13–14 October at Cinema 2, Schonell Theatre, The University of Queensland, offering free entry to all. The festival celebrated Taiwanese culture and cinematic storytelling, with a focus on “Documenting Taiwan, Approaching Asia”.

Opening with the acclaimed film "KANO", audiences were taken on a journey through history as a high school baseball team from southern Taiwan overcame adversity to compete in the 1931 empire-wide tournament. The team’s story highlighted the power of diversity and teamwork, bringing together Taiwanese, aboriginal, and Japanese players.

The festival program featured a variety of thought-provoking films, including:

"Viva Tonal", exploring Taiwan’s “Dance Age” and its impact on youth culture under Japanese occupation.
"Taivalu", a poetic reflection on the aftermath of flooding in Taiwan, set against the backdrop of the disappearing island of Tuvalu.
"The Priestess Walks Alone", a personal documentary about family, identity, and reconciliation.
"Heibei Taipei", recounting the journey of a former soldier adapting to life in Taiwan.
"Absent without Leave", a debut feature tracing personal and collective history, banned by the Malaysian Government.
"Jade Miners", documenting the risks and hopes of workers seeking jade in Burma’s Kachin State.
"Three Times", Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s beautifully shot exploration of love across three eras.

The festival also included forums and post-screen conversations with esteemed scholars and filmmakers, encouraging deeper discussions around history, identity, and cultural exchange.

The 2017 Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane was a true celebration of Taiwan’s cinematic voice, inviting local audiences to experience the stories, struggles, and triumphs that shape Taiwan and its connections to Asia.