2019 Taichung International Animation Festival will be held during October 11-20 at the Kbro Cinemas in Taichung, screening 176 animation films from around the world. In particular, there are 2,201 submissions to the international competition, setting an all-time high record. Taichung City Information Bureau Director-General Kuo-wei Huang unveiled the list of opening and closing films today (12th) including Away and The Swallows of Kabul, featuring extravagant art design and enthralling plot. He emphasized that movie fans are in for a treat! Pre-sale tickets will be available from tomorrow noon, and everyone is welcome to take advantage of the early bird special offer.

Information Bureau held the kick-off press conference for Taichung International Animation Festival today. According to Director-General Huang, the 5th Taichung International Animation Festival is divided into 2 categories, namely Feature Films and International Competition. The number of submissions has increased at a rate of over 10% per year; with 2,201 international submissions this year, it has set an all-time high record, indicating the growing stature and international recognition of the event, and demonstrating Taichung's influence in the animation industry!

Director-General Huang also mentioned that 176 exciting films have been selected for the international competition (including 60 films from 28 countries and 116 feature animation films), and they will be screened at the Kbro Cinemas in Taichung during October 11-20. Pre-sale tickets will be available from noon tomorrow at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks nationwide. The pre-sale price of NT$100 is 38% off of the original price (NT$160), all movie buffs should definitely take advantage of the early bird special offer.

TFDF CEO Ying-chih Lin, TIAF Program Director Chang-chieh Shi, animation director Ssu-yu Pan, and Finance Bureau Director-General Hsien-fa Lo all attended the press conference today. According to Director Shi, the opening film Away – recipient of the Feature Film Contrechamp at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France – is the debut film of 25-year-old Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis. Taking three–and–a–half years to complete independently, the film depicts the story of overcoming setbacks in life with care and courage. The 3D animation presents majestic yet serene scenery.

The closing film The Swallows of Kabul portrays life under Taliban control in the Afghan capital, and the sorrowful but beautiful story of women's rights, romance, and human rights. Featuring voice talents from numerous French golden award actors, the film immediately captured the attention of the audience after it was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The opening and closing films are both highly popular creations.

Moreover, the key visual and commercial of this year's film festival was also unveiled at the press conference today, and both are the brainchild of Ssu-yu Pan, the director who has impressed everyone at major film festivals with her film Neon. The use of evocative vintage electronic music creates a lively and euphoric vibe to convey the fantastic theme of this year's film festival – Music and Sound. The commercial will be screened prior to every screening during the film festival.

According to TFDF CEO Ying-chih Lin, Taichung International Animation Festival is the only animation-themed city film festival in Taiwan, and it is rapidly gaining international recognition and status year after year. During the 10-day festival, 66 screenings will be conducted including 12 feature films and 164 short films; the NT$499 "Film Festival 5-Day Pass" is also launched, enabling pass holders to view films till their hearts' content during October 14-18, averaging only NT$20.4 per screening, making it a superb bargain. For more information, please refer to the film festival's official website (http://twtiaf.com), Instagram (http://instagram.com/tiaf.taichung) and Facebook page (http://facebook.com/tiaf.taichung).