The award ceremony of 2019 Taichung International Animation Festival international short film competition took place at the Kbro Cinemas in Taichung today (October 16), and the grand prix of the short film competition went to Mascot by Korean director Dohyung Kim, while the grand prix in the student films competition went to Daughter by Czech director Dari Kashcheeva. The grand prix of Taiwan short film competition and Taiwan student short film competition – both highly-coveted titles in the domestic animation industry – went to Gold Fish by Fish Wang and Do-ji-le? by Tzu-hsin Yang respectively. The film screenings end on October 20, and everyone is invited to take the opportunity to view the films.
This year's film festival saw 2,201 submissions from 88 countries and regions, and 60 submissions were shortlisted during the preliminary round of selection to contend for 10 awards and a total cash prize of NT$1.2 million. In particular, the most sought-after short films grand prix went to Mascot, and the event also marks the first time that an international filmmaker has attended the ceremony to collect the grand prix trophy and a cash prize of NT$500,000 since the international short film competition was launched in 2017.
Deputy Mayor Bruce Linghu presented the Taiwanese student short films grand prix and Taiwanese short films grand prix to director Tzu-hsin Yang's Do-ji-le? - featuring precise animation language - and director Fish Wang's Gold Fish, an ambitious and visually awe-inspiring film.
Deputy Mayor Linghu welcomed master animators and animation creators from domestic and abroad to Taichung, and he expressed his gratification in seeing the prospering of the animation film festival year after year, so much so that animation creators from Taiwan and overseas now perceive Taichung as an important platform for showcasing their creations in Asia. As a result, more outstanding Taiwanese animations and creative talents can be promoted worldwide.
Information Bureau Director-General Kuo-wei Huang presented the audience award to La Noria from Spain. He indicated that the audience award involves the selection of the most popular film during the film festival by the audience, meaning that the winning film has garnered the most public support.
According to the Information Bureau, Winter in the Rainforest and The Night of the Plastic Bags snatched the outstanding work award and jury distinction award respectively in the short films category; Locomotor won the outstanding work award with its original techniques and skillful control of the rhythm; In Passing – features the portrayal of the urban landscape of Hong Kong during the 70s – received recognition of the judges and took the jury distinction award. Finally, the Czech animation Daughter was awarded the grand prix of student short films with its intricate, imaginative perspectives on the complexity and emotionality of familial relationships.
In addition, The Kite was the recipient of the children's choice award, which garnered recognition from the judges by depicting the sorrow of bidding farewell through the kite.
2019 Taichung International Animation Festival international short film competition will be held at the Kbro Cinemas in Taichung until October 20. Please refer to the ibon ticketing system nationwide or purchase your tickets in person at the venue. For more details, please refer to the Taichung International Animation Festival's official website (twtiaf.com) and Facebook fan page (facebook.com/tiaf.taichung).
Today's award ceremony was hosted by celebrity Vega Tsai, and dignitaries including Taichung City Deputy Mayor Bruce Linghu, Information Bureau Director-General Kuo-wei Huang, TFDF CEO Ying-chih Lin, 2019 Taichung International Animation Festiva Program Director Chang-chieh Shi, directors Raimund Krumme, Max Hattler, Joe Hsieh, Yu-ting Hsueh, Mores Zhan, Hong Kong film critic Che-ying Lo, and all of the shortlisted international competition filmmakers all turned out for the function.