Taipei: Several Taiwanese productions have been shortlisted for awards at a U.S. film festival, while a feature film has been nominated for an award at a Canadian festival, organizers said in Facebook posts.
According to Focus Taiwan, organizers of Canada's Banff's Rockie Awards International Program Competition announced that the Taiwanese LGBTQ+ feature film "Silent Sparks" has been selected for the program's Feature Length Film award.
Co-produced by the Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation (PTS) and By-The-Blueprint Production, "Silent Sparks" narrates a drama about two ex-cons who drifted apart after developing an intimate relationship during their incarceration. Starring Taiwanese actors Shih Ming-shuai and Akira Huang, the film is up against South Korea's "The History of Us," Canada's "Lowlifes," and "Little Wing" and "Out of My Mind" from the United States. The film's director Ping Chu thanked PTS for believing in his creative process and expressed his happiness at the global audience's opportunity to view the film. Organizers said the winner will be announced on June 9.
Shih and Huang also co-starred in the Taiwanese historical drama, "Three Tears in Borneo," which has been considered by the New York Festivals -- TV and Film Awards for a Drama Special award in the Entertainment Special category. Also produced by the PTS, the period piece tells the story of Taiwanese personnel forced to commit war crimes while working for and serving in the Japanese army in Borneo during Japan's colonial rule over Taiwan. In a press release, the show's director Sun Jie-heng expressed his satisfaction at sharing Taiwan's World War II story with the world and hoped it would inspire more Taiwanese narratives.
In addition, the Taiwanese psychological thriller "Tasty Tongue" has also been nominated for a Student Film award. Director Pearl Zheng from the Taipei National University of the Arts mentioned her intent to convey the theme of "karma" to her audience. The competition organizer announced that all winners will be named on May 22.