This year, the 40th Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) presented 200 films from 45 countries through a combination of online screenings, drive-in theater screenings, and live screenings at theatres from November 5th to 29th. HIFF also launched "Spotlight on Taiwan," showcasing four Taiwanese feature films and two short films. Actor Chen Yi-wen (陳以文) in short film "Growing Pains (少年阿堯)" won Best Actor Award of the Short Film Category, shining a spotlight on Taiwanese films on the international stage.
"Growing Pains" is a semi-autobiographical film by director Lin Po-Yu that portrays a father and son relationship. In "Growing Pains," Chen plays a gambling addict who is deep in debt while struggling to gain his son Yao's (阿堯) approval.
Born in 1990, Lin grew up in Taipei, and graduated from the National Taiwan University of Arts with a Master's degree in Film Studies. He has directed several short films and commercials. Chen, who is an actor, director, screenwriter, and playwright, won the Best Leading Actor Award at the 56th Golden Horse Festival for the feature film "A Sun (陽光普照)."
The Short Film Category jury included Asian-American actor Kelly Hu, known for her roles in "The Scorpion King" and "X2," senior producer-director Erin Lau, who won the HIFF 38th Best Hawaii Short Film Award, and writer-director Alika Maikau, who won the HIFF 39th Best Hawaii Short Film Award.
The jury panel remarked that the film won because of Chen's powerful performance, conveyed in his dialogue and moments of silence, bearing witness of a burdened man and a loving father all in one breath. "We are honored to acknowledge this incredibly vulnerable and raw performance," the jury added.
Emmy Yang (楊婷媜), Director of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles (臺灣書院) remarked that HIFF is the only statewide independent film festival in the United States, and regarded as the gateway for Asian films seeking entry into the American market, making it an important film festival for fostering cultural exchange between the East and West. "We are pleased with the award winning achievement by "Growing Pains," and will endeavor to promote outstanding Taiwanese films to the world through HIFF," she added.