The Taichung International Animation Festival (TIAF), Taiwan's largest platform for animation showcases, marks its 10th anniversary this year. Guided by the Taichung City Government and the Information Bureau, and carefully organized by the Taichung Film Development Foundation, the festival will take place from October 18 to 27 at Vieshow Cinemas in Taichung Taroko Mall. With ten special programs showcasing renowned animation directors, international film festivals, and distributors from countries such as France, Croatia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, this is an event that animation enthusiasts won’t want to miss!

According to Deputy CEO Chang Wan-yu of the Taichung Film Development Foundation, one of the highlights of the Taichung International Animation Festival's 10th anniversary is its collaboration with three renowned global film festivals, including Seoul Indie-AniFest, Animafest Zagreb, and StopTrik—Europe’s only stop-motion animation festival. Three programs—TIAF Observatory: Seoul Indie-AniFest’s Fables About Relationships, TIAF Observatory: Animafest Zagreb, and Baby Universe: StopTrik IFF Presents—have been curated. Now, animation fans can experience world-class film festival selections right in Taichung, without needing to fly overseas.

One of the ten major programs, Director in Focus, highlights the works of Boris LABBÉ, a figure in contemporary animation known for his creative and visually striking approach. Boris LABBÉ’s films delve into the endless possibilities of different time-space layers through nonlinear narratives and smooth, finely detailed compositions. His acclaimed works include The Fall, which won top awards at TIAF 2018, and Animafest Zagreb, and the Prix Fipresci Award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival; the experimental short Rhizome, which explores the intricate connections between plants and animals; and Crowd, which reflects his unique insights on time and space. Through his abstract animation style, his works inspire audiences to ponder philosophical concepts such as the relationship between civilization and nature, the workings of the world, and the eternal cycle.

Another highlight in the Studio in Focus program is Miyu Distribution, which showcases works personally selected by Luce Grosjean, the founder of Miyu Distribution, a well-known French distribution team. She has selected a lineup of recent standout animated short films distributed by Miyu, including The Great Arc, which delves into environmental issues; the Oscar-nominated Letter to a Pig, which explores a young schoolgirl's journey of self-discovery through the memories of a Holocaust survivor; and Flatastic, which uses bold colors and graphic design elements to probe the flattening of modern societal development. Miyu Distribution excels in utilizing its sharp market positioning and effective promotion strategies, supporting creators in gaining international festival exposure, organizing themed screenings, and networking within the global animation scene.They also work closely with filmmakers, offering valuable insights into production and distribution.

The Studio in Focus program is packed with surprises, including a special appearance by prominent Japanese producers Nakatake Tetsuya from WIT STUDIO and Horiguchi Kotaro from 100studio. They will be at the festival to engage with fans and share their expertise on creating blockbuster anime. WIT STUDIO, known for captivating millions of anime fans with Attack on Titan, has turned anime IPs into commercial value and recently partnered with global streaming platform Netflix. At the festival, they will present the big-screen edition of GREAT PRETENDER razbliuto - Taipei Rendezvous Intermission1-1, a plot-twisting anime released just at the beginning of this year. On the other hand, 100studio from Japan, with its commitment to 100% passion for creation, exploring 100 possibilities, and innovating for 100 years, will present A Few Minutes of Cheers, voiced by well-known voice actors like Natsuki Hanae and Mariya Ise, along with selected episodes (1-3) of Quality Assurance in Another World, based on Masamichi Satō's manga. Set in a fully immersive VR game, it tells the story of a girl rescued by a mysterious organization as she begins to uncover the truth of her world and seeks to break through.

Alongside the impressive lineup of international filmmakers, local animation directors are equally in the spotlight. This year, the festival has introduced a new approach, curating from the creators' perspective. In the Guest Programmer program, award-winning director Joe Hsieh—famed for his suspenseful style and winner of the Golden Horse Award for Best Animated Short Film—has been invited. Known for his skill in conveying intricate character emotions, Joe Hsieh’s selection focuses on the star appeal and superb performance in animation, highlighting how these directors capture audiences' attention from the moment their creations appear on screen!

The special program TIAF One Decade of Animation showcases top award winners from past years. Animation fans are invited to review these outstanding works in the theater, creating cherished memories to celebrate TIAF’s 10th anniversary! The 2024 Taichung International Animation Festival will take place from October 18 to 27 at Vieshow Cinemas, Taichung Taroko Mall. For more information on film selections and the latest event news, be sure to stay tuned to the Taichung International Animation Festival’s official website (https://twtiaf.com) or its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/tiaf.taichung).