Filmmakers from around the world were recognized at the Nov. 13 award ceremony in Taipei City for the 10th Trending Taiwan Short Film Competition, an annual event organized by the Department of International Information Services under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This year’s contest saw 247 submissions from creators competing for prizes totaling NT$1.25 million (US$38,519). The entries covered topics ranging from Taiwan’s foreign aid, artificial intelligence technology and industrial innovation to religion and sustainable conservation.
First prize in the creative theme category was awarded to “Hold the Hope,” which portrayed how horseshoe crabs are inextricably tied to Taiwan’s culture and detailed sustainable efforts to protect the species. The winning piece of the reel-style short video category went to “Amazing Images of Taiwan (A.I. of Taiwan)” by a South Korean couple who integrated AI animation into Taiwan’s landscape.
Two entries were given the special award for students, one depicting a walking journey around Taiwan and the other showcasing endeavors by Indigenous youth to preserve the sounds of their cultures.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung presided over the ceremony, praising contestants for embodying the diplomatic spirit. He thanked all creators for representing the best of Taiwan through their own lens.
According to the MOFA, in addition to Taiwan and South Korea, this year’s contestants hail from nine other countries including Eswatini, Japan and Malaysia. The 16 winning shorts will be subtitled in English for broadcast on the ministry’s affiliated Trending Taiwan YouTube channel, the ministry said, adding that it will continue to employ digital diplomacy and promote Taiwan via social media to raise the country’s international visibility.
First launched in 2015, the competition is one of the MOFA’s most successful digital diplomacy campaigns. It has attracted around 1,200 submissions from international participants from countries such as France, India and Switzerland. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News