2025 TIAF Lineup Announced

The Taichung International Animation Festival (TIAF) — the only city film festival dedicated exclusively to animation in Taiwan — will be held from October 11 to 18 at Vieshow Cinemas in Taroko Mall, Taichung. Today (August 8), the full list of this year’s official competition selections has been revealed! This year’s festival has drawn a dazzling array of entries, with 5 feature films and 63 short films selected for the finals. Several of the selected works have also been featured at prestigious international festivals such as Cannes Film Festival and Annecy International Animation Film Festival, all vying for a total prize pool of NT$1.35 million.

 

This year's festival theme, "Sensory World," comes to life through the main visual designed by renowned visual artist Ahn Zhe. Incorporating elements of Taichung, the design is centered around the perspective of a woodpecker — symbolizing the creator — who rediscovers the world from within. This enchanting visual marks the beginning of a fantastical cinematic journey.

 

Director of the Information Bureau, Luan Chih-Yi, stated that with the full support of Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen — who also chairs the Taichung Film Development Foundation — and the full backing of the city government, TIAF has now entered its 11th year. For the first time, the festival will feature a Feature Film Competition, alongside its long-running Short Film Competition. This year’s call for entries drew 2,879 submissions from 104 countries and regions, including 65 feature films, demonstrating the festival’s growing influence as one of Asia’s premier platforms for animation.

 

Chang Wan-Yu, CEO of the Taichung Film Development Foundation, emphasized that this year’s selections reflect the diversity and innovation of contemporary animation. After a rigorous review process, 68 outstanding films were chosen. In the Feature Film Competition, highlights include "ChaO," the latest work by Japan’s world-renowned Studio 4°C, as well as "My Life in Versailles," an Annecy-selected feature from France. The Short Film Competition features "Dollhouse Elephant," winner of the SACEM Award for Best Original Soundtrack at Annecy, and "Psychonauts," recipient of the Jury Special Mention. Notable Taiwanese titles include "Rocked by the Wind," directed by industry veteran Huang Shiao-Shan and winner of both the Grand Prize and Audience Award at the Golden Harvest Awards; "IMMATURE," a Taiwan–Netherlands co-produced animated documentary; and "Dancing in the Rain" by director Yeh Chao-Chun.

 

To provide Taiwanese students with diverse international learning opportunities, TIAF is partnering for the first time with the French Office in Taipei and the world-renowned GOBELINS Paris – School for Animation. Through this three-way collaboration, the winner of the Taiwan Student Short Film Competition will be invited to attend an about two-week summer exchange program in Paris in June or July 2026. The curriculum will focus on specialized fields such as character animation  or visual storytelling, with classes led by experienced industry professionals. The French Office in Taipei will sponsor the related costs, aiming to encourage more emerging Taiwanese creators to step onto the international stage.

 

TIAF Program Director Wang Chi-Sui added that this year’s jury lineup is truly star-studded. The Feature Film Competition jury includes three Golden Horse Award-winning animation directors: Yee Chih-Yen ("City of Lost Things"), Sung Hsin-Yin ("On Happiness Road"), and Huang Yun-Hsien, known for the stop-motion film "Where Am I Going?". The Short Film Competition jury consists of six professionals from film, animation, and media production: Liao Wei-Chih, known for his work in festival programming and education; Chao Ta-Wei, whose works "Pig Box" and "Black Bear Moon" demonstrate a unique visual language; Huang Shih-Ming, who explores indigenous and fantasy themes in "Gu"; Huang Shih-Yen, recognized at Annecy for her hand-drawn short "Butterfly Jam"; Liu Yen-Chen, winner of Best Student Animation at the Monstra Festival for "A Gong"; and Tsai Shiu-Cheng, who took home the Golden Fireball Award at the Kaohsiung Film Festival for "A Night with Moosina." These jurors bring their artistic insight and creative judgment to the selection of compelling short films.

 

The main visual incorporates mechanical structures to reflect the spirit's sensory experiences, while weaving in elements of Taichung — such as urban flow, everyday details, and imaginative characters — blurring the line between the ordinary and extraordinary. It invites audiences to explore multiple perspectives and new ways of seeing the world.

 

The Taichung International Animation Festival (TIAF) is organized by the Taichung Film Development Foundation under the guidance of the Taichung City Government and Information Bureau, and co-organized by the Animation & Visual Effects Association. For years, TIAF has strived to be a bridge between animation creators and audiences, bringing outstanding works from around the world to Taiwan while also encouraging local emerging talent to innovate and grow.

 

This year, TIAF continues its collaboration with the Animation & Visual Effects Association to establish the Jury Distinction and Promising NewTalent Award in the Taiwan Student Short Film Competition, offering young Taiwanese animators more opportunities to showcase their creativity. With continued efforts to promote the animation industry and deepen international exchange, TIAF hopes to bring even greater global attention to outstanding works from Taiwan.

 

TIAF 2025 will take place from October 11 to 18 at Vieshow Cinemas in Taroko Mall, Taichung.  

For the full list of nominees and more exciting film details, please visit the official TIAF website: https://twtiaf.com  

or follow the official Facebook page: http://facebook.com/tiaf.taichung