Mayor of Taichung City

Dear Friends of TIAF,

This year, the Taichung International Animation Festival (TIAF) proudly celebrates its 12th edition. Over the past eleven years, what began as a seed has steadily taken root, blossomed, and grown into the festival we know today. As autumn arrives, I am delighted to share that this year's festival has reached another important milestone: a record-breaking 3,205 international submissions—the highest number in its history. This achievement not only marks a new benchmark for TIAF but also represents one of the strongest submission totals among animation festivals in Asia. It is a testament to Taichung's continued progress toward becoming both an internationally recognized film-friendly city and a dynamic center for animation and creative culture.

On behalf of the Taichung Film Development Foundation, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our audiences, filmmakers, creators, and partners for your unwavering support. Your encouragement and trust have sustained the festival throughout its journey, and we look forward to transforming that collective support into the momentum that will carry TIAF toward an even brighter future.

As Taiwan's second-largest city, Taichung is celebrated for its pleasant climate, diverse landscapes, and strategic location. These qualities have shaped a city that is not only highly livable but also rich in creativity, innovation, and cultural vitality. This year, we are honored to welcome distinguished guests and renowned organizations from around the world to experience Taichung's unique charm. Among them are Chris LAVIS, director of the 2026 Academy Award-winning Best Animated Short Film "The Girl Who Cried Pearls", and acclaimed Japanese animation artist Yoriko MIZUSHIRI, whose distinctive sensory aesthetic has earned international acclaim. The festival is also proud to collaborate with the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France and the Ottawa International Animation Festival in Canada to present specially curated programs, enabling audiences to engage with outstanding animation from around the world without leaving the city. In addition, TIAF presents the special program Spotlight on Taiwan: The Next Frame – New Voices in Animation, showcasing the creativity of Taiwan's emerging animation talents and bringing their remarkable works to a wider international audience.

In 2026, TIAF embraces the theme "VIBE." Inspired by two of animation's earliest techniques—the flipbook and the phenakistoscope—this year's visual identity invites audiences to rediscover the very essence of animation: the transformation of still images into moving life. The design brings together the festival's signature woodpecker, symbolizing dedication to craftsmanship; butterflies, representing transformation and renewal; and rabbits, embodying boundless imagination and creative momentum. Interwoven with visual elements inspired by the city of Taichung, these symbols reflect a shared stage where artists, audiences, and the festival come together. More than a visual identity, the artwork embodies TIAF's mission as a platform where cultures converge, ideas resonate, and meaningful connections are created, inviting everyone to experience the vibrant rhythm and creative energy that define both the festival and the city.

This autumn, I warmly invite you to join us in Taichung. Together, let us follow the rhythm of animation, celebrate the power of storytelling through moving images, and discover the boundless imagination and heartfelt emotion that animation inspires.