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2025 Taichung International Animation Festival (TIAF) Rules and Regulations for Submission of Entries

About the Festival

The 11th Taichung International Animation Festival is organized by Taichung Film Development Foundation (TFDF) with the support of the Information Bureau of Taichung City Government, co-organizer assigned by the Animation & Visual Effects Association (AVA).

Eligibility/Qualification

  1. Feature Films
    • The running time (including end credits and film length) of these animations, regardless of the technology and medium used to create them, must be over 60 minutes.
    • The film must be completed after 1 January 2023 and no other version of the work can be entered previously.
    • The Organizer reserves the right to request the applicant to supplement or provide necessary documents to clarify the eligibility of the applicant.
  2. Short Films
    • The running time (including end credits and film length) of these animations, regardless of the technology and medium used to create them, shall not exceed 25 minutes.
    • The films must be completed after 1 January 2024 and no other version of the work can be entered previously.
    • To submit a "Taiwanese Short Films" or "Taiwanese Student Short Films", the director must be a national of Taiwan with a valid ID, or more than half of the production costs must be from Taiwan, or more than half of the production staff must be Taiwan (R.O.C.) nationals with a valid ID national. (Please refer to Article 5 in Criteria for Differentiating Domestic Motion Pictures and Non-Domestic Motion Pictures legislated by the Ministry of Culture R.O.C., revised on Oct 16, 2015.)
    • The Organizer reserves the right to request the applicant to supplement or provide necessary documents to clarify the eligibility of the applicant.

Categories

  • Entries should be submitted to the following five categories: "Feature Films", "Short Films", "Taiwanese Short Films", "Student Short Films" and "Taiwanese Student Short Films".
  • Applicants for the "Taiwan Short Film" category may also apply for the "Short Film" category.
  • The applicant applying for "Student Short Films" should be a student who is currently enrolled or still enrolled at the time of completion of the project; the applicant applying for "Taiwanese Student Short Films" may additionally apply for the category of "Student Short Films", but may not apply for "Short Films"or"Taiwanese Short Films" simultaneously.
  • The Preliminary Review Jury has the right to recommend "Student Short Films" to the "Short Films" and "Children's Short Films" categories, and to recommend "Taiwanese Student Short Films" to the "Taiwanese Short Film" and "Children's Short Films" categories.
  • Applicants from each short films category may also apply for the "Children's Short Films". The works sent to the "Children's Short Film" should be suitable for children and should not violate any public policy or moral code.

Competitions and Awards

  • Feature Films
    • Best Feature Film – prize money 350,000 TWD
      (Approximately 11,000 USD)
  • Short Films
    • GRAND PRIX – prize money 300,000 TWD
      (Approximately 9,200 USD )
    • JURY DISTINCTION – prize money 100,000 TWD
      (Approximately 3,100 USD)
    • OUTSTANDING WORK – prize money 50,000 TWD
      (Approximately 1,500 USD)
  • Taiwanese Short Films
    • GRAND PRIX – prize money 150,000 TWD
      (Approximately 4,600 USD)
  • Student Short Films
    • GRAND PRIX – prize money 100,000 TWD
      (Approximately 3,100 USD)
    • JURY DISTINCTION – prize money 50,000 TWD
      (Approximately 1,500 USD)
  • Taiwanese Student Short Films
    • GRAND PRIX – prize money 100,000 TWD
      (Approximately 3,100 USD)
    • JURY DISTINCTION – prize money 70,000 TWD
      (Approximately 2,100 USD)
    • PROMISING NEW TALENT – prize money 40,000 TWD
      (Approximately 1,200 USD)
      A total of two winners.
  • Popularity Awards
    • CHILDREN’S CHOICE AWARD – chosen by popular votes, no cash reward
    • AUDIENCE AWARD – chosen by popular votes, no cash reward

【Note】

  • The prize money provided for "Jury Distinction" and "Promising New Talent" in Taiwanese Student Short Films is sponsored by Animation & Visual Effects Association (AVA).
  • All cash prizes must comply with the tax laws of Taiwan and the relevant tax must be withheld in accordance with the law (for residents of Taiwan or residents holding a profit-making business at a fixed location, 10% of the full prize or competition and game proceeds are subject to withholding. For individuals who are not residents of Taiwan or who do not hold a fixed place of profit, 20% is required to be withheld).
  • Except for the " Promising New Talent " in the Taiwanese Student Short Films, If there are multiple recipients of the same prize, the cash prizes shall be divided equally among the recipients.
  • The organizer reserves the right to disqualify an entry if there is a dispute over its eligibility to be entered. The prize money will be withheld until the dispute is resolved.
  • The Final Review Jury has the right to award "Special Mentions Award" to short films based on their completeness, storytelling aspects and creative techniques. Multiple awardees without cash rewards will be given.

Submissions

  • The deadline for submission of entries is Monday 30 June 2025. All applicants should complete the online application form on the competition website at twtiaf.com/2025rg, which must contain the following material:
    • 1 photograph of the director(s). (300dpi or above, in JPG format).
    • 3 film stills. (300dpi or above, in JPG format).
    • All films with linguistic dialogue or narration, except those without dialogue, should have English subtitles; films with Chinese dialogue or narration should be accompanied by English and Chinese subtitles and should be provided with time-coded text of the dialogue or relevant narration in SRT, DOC, DOCX or TXT format.
    • 1 web link to the full film. (Please upload the film to a website or cloud storage where it can be viewed and downloaded online, or submit it via Filmfreeway).
  • The format submitted must be MP4 (video codec: H.264) or MOV (ProRes 422) or with a resolution of 1920✕1080 or above.
  • The work should be available by 31 October 2025 for the duration of the web link to the full film submitted.
  • If the work is submitted for registration in the name of a company, the applicant should be the production company, the projection company or the distribution company. For any doubts, TIAF reserves the right to request proof of rights ownership by the applicant.
  • If the work is submitted in the name of an individual, the applicant should be the director or producer of the registered film. If this is not the case, a letter of authorization from the copyright owner and relevant supporting documents (See Annex 1) should be provided for retention by the TFDF and for future reference. For any doubts, TFDF reserves the right to request proof of rights ownership by the applicant.
  • The applicant as well as the film’s producer(s), projector(s), distributor(s), and other relevant entities, are obligated to ensure the legality of the film. TFDF reserves the final right to determine the film’s eligibility for competition and has the authority to reject any film that may potentially harm the reputation or image of TFDF.
  • Submitted film files and related materials will be provided to TFDF free of charge for further archival purposes or academic research.

【Note】

  • NO entry fee will be charged for this competition.
  • The jury will only make decisions on completed films. Incomplete films (works in progress) will not be considered.

Film Selection

  • The official films will be selected by TFDF in collaboration with a selection of professionals and academics from domestic and international animation experts. The review process consists of an eligibility qualification, followed by a preliminary and a final review.
  • The selected films will be announced on the official website twtiaf.com by 8 August 2025.
  • If the film submitted is selected, TFDF will notify the applicant by email and request the materials required for publication and screening.
  • Selected films may be withdrawn from the competition by submitting a request to TFDF on or before Friday 15 August 2025 (including the submission deadline). After that date, any withdrawal requests will not be considered.
  • The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, on the official website and on relevant social networking sites.

Screening Copies

  • Once notified, the selected film applicant must provide a complete copy of the film by Monday 18 August 2025. Films with non-Chinese dialogue or narration should be accompanied by English subtitles. Films with Chinese dialogue or narration should be accompanied by both English and Chinese subtitles. Applicants may choose to provide the following formats:
    • DCP (subject to industry standards for theatrical exhibition);
    • MOV (ProRes 422) format is recommended. MP4 (codec H.264) format is also acceptable.
  • Applicants are advised to use a preferred cloud storage service (Google Drive, WeTransfer, FTP, etc.) to upload their files (all of the above formats are acceptable). A valid URL and password must be provided or the file must be saved on an external hard drive or USB 3.0 flash drive and sent via courier (DHL, FedEx, EMS, etc.) to the following address:Taichung Film Development Foundation
    Taichung International Animation Festival 
    9F-2, No.186, Dadun 19th St.,
    Xitun Dist., Taichung City 40758,
    Taiwan (R.O.C.)
  • If an applicant fails to comply with the above rules, including deadlines and formats, TFDF reserves the right to assume that the applicant has voluntarily forfeited his or her place.

Shipping and Insurance

  • All shipping costs and related expenses, such as insurance and customs duties, shall be borne by the sender. The cost of returning the goods shall be borne by the TFDF.
  • The packaging of a film copy from abroad should be marked "Temporary import. No commercial value, for cultural purposes only" and must be accompanied by a pro forma invoice of a maximum value of 20 euros or 20 dollars.
  • TFDF will return the copy of the film to the address provided in the online entry within 14 working days of the event. If the participant wishes to do otherwise, please inform TFDF.

Statement of Intellectual Property Rights

  • The applicant must be the copyright owner of the film, or have obtained the authorization of the copyright owner. A letter of authorization from the copyright holder must be provided to TFDF (See Annex 1) for future reference.
  • If the film quotes other works, including images, sounds, etc., permission must be obtained from the intellectual property owner. TFDF does not tolerate any form of plagiarism.
  • TFDF reserves the right to disqualify a submitted film and recover the prize if there is any dispute over intellectual property rights. The applicant is responsible for any related legal matters.

Duties and Obligations of Applicants

  • The applicant shall provide a copy of the film during the period of consideration by the Jury (1 April to 31 October 2025) and agrees to show the film free of charge during the period of consideration by the Jury. TFDF will not pay for the secondary screening of the film selected for the competition and related events.
  • The participant shall consent to TFDF recording the event site by photography, audio, video or any other means and to the necessary editing of said recording, and TFDF is the author of said recording. Applicants are obliged to provide such texts, pictures, images and other materials as TFDF may request. Nominees are encouraged to participate in festival-related activities as well as award ceremony.
  • Applicants shall agree (or have obtained authorization to agree) to the free use of their information including footages, stills, posters, films, trailers, scores, songs and text materials (including script and dialogues) by TFDF, which shall have the right to reproduce, adapt and compile (including but not limited to adding English and Chinese subtitles, producing promotional videos, etc.) the shortlisted films free of charge for use in the 2025 TIAF program, catalogue, official website and other promotional materials of TFDF also has the right (or is granted the right) to broadcast clips from the shortlisted films free of charge on television, online or other media for promotional purpose, without specified number or period of broadcasts.
  • Applicants from Taiwan should agree to authorize TFDF to compile the film information into a "Best Taiwanese Animated Short Film Book" and use it to promote the festival locally and internationally.
  • In addition to granting the organizer the right to use the shortlisted video works in accordance with Item (3) herein, the finalists are free to choose whether or not to grant the organizer, without specific number and period, the right to use the shortlisted video works and to arrange for the broadcast of the video works for public welfare and non-profit promotion activities to serve people in remote areas such as children and communities. (The consent form is shown in Annex 2).
  • The winner of the Feature Films shall agree (or be authorized to agree) that TFDF shall unconditionally make one public broadcast at local and international promotion of the festival or in the context of non-profit promotional events, without specific period. (e.g. Taichung International Animation Festival, Taichung International Animation Day, Taichung International Film Festival award-winning film tour.)
  • The winner of the Short Fim shall agree (or be authorized to agree) that TFDF shall unconditionally edit some of the films into the "Best of Taichung International Film Festival" and use them for local and international promotion of the festival, or for public broadcast, public display, or public dissemination in the context of non-profit promotional events (e.g. Taichung International Animation Festival, Taichung International Animation Day, Taichung International Film Festival award-winning film tour.), without specific number and period of broadcast. 
  • The Organizer will provide the "Laurel of Taichung International Animation Festival" to nominated and awarded films, with authorization limited to use in film promotional materials, official websites, or other publicity media. Any other usage requires prior written consent from TFDF and must not be altered.

Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

  • Upon completion of registration, applicants shall agree to and understand the above terms and conditions without reservation.
  • These Guidelines shall be printed in the Chinese and English languages. In case of dispute, the content in Chinese shall be considered for interpretation and understanding and the laws of Taiwan (Republic of China) shall prevail. Applicants agree that the Taiwan Taichung District Court shall be deemed to be the court of first instance.
  • In the event of force majeure factors such as natural disasters or pandemic, the Competition will adjust its submission guidelines in accordance with government policies (including but not limited to changes to the submission timeline, announcement of shortlists and finalists, and the format of the awards ceremony) or postpone relevant activities. Applicants must comply with adjustments to the film authorization period or other specified matters; for any outstanding matters, please refer to the latest announcement on the official website twtiaf.com.
  • In case of any doubts or unspecified matters in these Guidelines, TFDF reserves the right to modify and interpret the competition rules.

Contact

Group of Taichung International Animation Festival, Taichung Film Development Foundation
Telephone: +886-4-2323-6100 #21 / Ms. Tsai
Email: tiaf.competition@tfdf.org.tw

Footnotes