The 2nd Annual Seattle Taiwanese American Film Festival (SeaTAFF), presented by TAP-Seattle, concluded on Wednesday, June 26 at SIFF Uptown Cinema. The Festival featured four Taiwanese American short films, seven Taiwanese feature-length films, and two Q and A sessions with Director Johnathan Yang and Director Yue Fu from Taiwan. The Festival also included a panel discussion by speakers from the Pacific Northwest.

The Film Festival opened on Saturday, June 22 with a series of short films titled “Her Stories from West to East.” Each of the four selected short films presents a female protagonist and her struggles with immigration, family, and culture norms. These films are produced by Taiwanese and Taiwanese American directors as the Festival aims to be a platform for Taiwanese American moviemakers to showcase their work. Our panelists, Professor Yomi Braester from the University of Washington and local community leaders Margie Chen and Cathy Hughes discussed the impact of women in films has on society and the Taiwanese American experience. “Guo Mie” short film directed by Joseph Hsu won the People’s Choice Award.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the festival’s theme is “Act in Action”. The TRA remains a cornerstone for maintaining and enhancing relations between the U.S. and Taiwan that have enabled their partnership to prosper in the absence of diplomatic relations. The theme is a play on words. From theatrical acts to the Act, the relationships featured in films are as intricate as the tightly-knit U.S.-Taiwan relations. The Festival hoped the greater Seattle community encountered our common values of human compassion and morality through the films selected.

On Sunday, June 23rd, “Lost Black Cats 35th Squadron” highlighted the special relationship between the two countries. This movie documented the human sacrifices behind the secret joint air missions between the U.S. and Taiwan Air Force in the 1960s. Now in their 90s, the interviewed pilots share how these potential deadly flights to spy on Communist China impacted their lives in the movie. Audiences had the opportunity to interact directly with the movie director and former Black Cat U-2 veteran pilot Colonel Johnny Shen during the Q and A session.

On Wednesday, June 26th, the audience had an engaging conversation with Golden Horse Documentary winner Director Yue Fu.  “Our Youth in Taiwan” documents the Sunflower Movement in which students occupied the Taiwanese legislature in protest of the cross-strait trade legislation. As a documentary specialist, Director Fu’s films explore the younger generations’ ideas and attitudes toward Taiwan’s political and economic landscape. She shared her thoughts on what the protest meant for her and fellow protesters and a hint of what she plans to do for her next project.

Other movies showed during the festival included Xiao Mei, More than Blue, Gatao 2: Rise of the King, Long Time No Sea, and Sen Sen.

The Festival’s Best of Show this year goes to “Long Time No Sea”. It is a true story based on the experiences of Director Tsui (Heather) Yung-hui’s involvement with the Little Flying Fish Culture Exhibition dance troupe and the Tao children of Orchid Island. It is a family drama of a rookie teacher from the city who prepares his students for the annual Aboriginal Dance Competition. However, the process turns into a journey about preserving traditional cultures and languages and highlights the harsh reality of families forced to live apart due to financial constraints. Thanks to the commitment of Director Tsui of hiring a cast of mostly Tao actors, she ensures that an authentic story is brought to the audience.

TAP-Seattle hope the audience enjoyed the Festival. We appreciate the exuberance from both the Taiwanese and mainstream community in Seattle that came together once again this year to support our festival. Regardless of different background, audiences got to experience Taiwanese and Taiwanese American’s unique film styles and topics. 

SOME SPECIAL GUESTS WHO ATTENDED THE FESTIVAL

• Director Jonathan Yang of Lost Black Cats 35th Squadron
• Director Yue Fu of Our Youth in Taiwan
• Colonel Johnny Shen
• Director-General Alex K.S. Fan of TECO in Seattle, WA
• Professor Yomi Braester of University of Washington
• Margie Chen of Chen Heritage Foundation
• Cathy Hughes of Catherine and David Hughes Asian Programming Endowment
• Key Donn of Museum of Flights
• Former ROCAF, US Navy, CIA, pilots, and their friends and family
• Our friends at Museum of Flights

OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

• Vancouver Taiwanese Film Festival
• Victoria Taiwanese Film Festival
• Taiwanese American Film Festival by TAP-LA
• SPOTLIGHT – Ministry of Culture, Taiwan

FOR MORE INFORMATION & UPDATES ON FUTURE FESTIVAL INFO:

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