Four Taiwanese films will be screened virtually at the 2021 Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) from Apr. 8 through Apr. 18. With the support from Taiwan's Ministry of Culture and Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles, the lineup includes the four Golden Horse awards' winner "My Missing Valentine (消失的情人節)," "Final Exam (期末考)," "Get The Hell Out (逃出立法院)," and "The Teacher (我的靈魂是愛做的)," which will be available on-demand at SIFF's streaming portal.
"My Missing Valentine" is a time-shifting romantic comedy about the loneliness and growth of modern people. It scooped Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, and Best Film Editing at the Golden Horse Awards. "Final Exam" reflects the education crisis provoked by declining birth rates in Taiwan and was selected for the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema, Argentina.
The martial arts infused zombie satire comedy "Get The Hell Out," was the winner of Best Action Choreography at the Golden Horse Awards. "The Teacher," is a story about the limits of acceptance of LGBTQ people as Taiwan became the first country in Asia to pass a marriage-equality law. It won Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Horse Awards.
Besides film screenings, SIFF partners with Taiwan Studies Program, the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington (UW), to host a "Taiwanese Filmmaker Roundtable" - which will connect Taiwanese filmmakers virtually via Zoom with the students of UW. The filmmakers will share the stories of Taiwanese cultural essence and the development of Taiwan's film industry.
Founded in 1976, SIFF is among the top film festivals in North America. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SIFF will take place virtually in April, showcasing 92 features and 126 shorts from 69 countries.