Mayor of Taichung City

Dear Fans of TIAF,

With your companionship, the Taichung International Animation Festival (TIAF) has journeyed through a decade and now proudly steps into its 11th year. Looking back, it has gradually grown into a remarkable event in this city. Each milestone bears witness to Taichung’s transformation into both a “film-friendly international city” and a “capital of animation.” I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the fans and creators whose faith and support have built a strong connection with the world.
 

In 2025, we embrace the theme “Animation Feels the World.” In an age of fast-moving information and overwhelming sensory stimulation, we took inspiration from the woodpecker—our festival’s mascot—whose “Perspective of the Scenes” reminds us not only to see with our eyes, but also to feel with our hearts. Animation offers us new ways of seeing, reconnecting, and deepening our sense of the world.
 

This year’s festival welcomes distinguished guests and international partners: Directors such as Kiyotaka OSHIYAMA, acclaimed for “Look Back”, and Jae-huun AHN, the Korean hand-drawn animation maestro. The festival also welcomes Folimage Studio, France’s world-renowned studio, Japan’s dwarf studios, masters of stop-motion, the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival, the only airport-based film festival in Asia; and Taiwan’s own prestigious Taiwan International Children’s Film Festival. Together, bringing audiences the most diverse and compelling visions of contemporary animation.

Most importantly, a new milestone has been launched this year! The festival has for the first time introduced a Feature Film Competition, complementing the existing Short Film Competition. Out of 2,879 submissions, the final selection includes 63 short films and 5 feature films, many of which are award-winning works from leading international festivals. This underscores TIAF’s role as one of Asia’s key platforms for global animation.

Taichung places great value on international cultural exchange. Beyond curatorial collaborations with local and global festivals, we are committed to long-term policies that strengthen talent cultivation, industry support, and film funding. With the steadfast partnership of the Taichung Film Development Foundation and the Information Bureau, we ensure that creativity in our city is seen, supported, and shared with the world. My deepest gratitude goes to the filmmakers and artists—both at home and abroad—whose contributions have elevated TIAF into Taiwan’s largest and most dynamic animation event.

This autumn, I warmly invite you to join me in Taichung. Step into the theaters, and experience the spirit of a city that truly feels.

LU Shiow-Yen

Mayor of Taichung City