For the fifth year in a row, Taiwanese films will be hitting London’s cinemas as a part of the London East Asia Film Festival – the largest film festival of its kind in the UK. Running on an adjusted timeframe due to the pandemic and local restrictions, Taiwanese films “Detention”, “I WeirDO” and “Wild Sparrow” will be screening at this year’s festival.

SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies, University of London is set to launch the 2020 Taiwan Post-New Wave Cinema Project. Supported by the Ministry of Culture of Taiwan, this series of online events introduce 15 films by 3 important directors who emerge after New Wave Cinema in 1980s: Hou Chi-Jan, Lin Shu-Yu, and Cheng Yu-Chieh.

The Queer East 2020 highlighted Taiwan as the country of focus this year, celebrating Taiwan’s landmark same-sex marriage law - the first in Asia. The special strand showcases the country’s rich tradition of LGBTQ+ filmmaking, including classic titles like The Wedding Banquet, Girlfriend Boyfriend and a strong selection of short films.

The exhibition ‘Transcending Boundaries: Contemporary Lacquer Art & Metalwork in Taiwan‘ took part in the UK’s largest celebration of craft culture. A new generation of innovative Taiwanese craftspeople are redefining the essence of craft in Taiwan society, breaking the stereotype that craft was a traditional practice exclusively for legendary masters.

The Taiwan Film Festival Edinburgh is a nomadic UK festival delving deep into the rich history and culture of the people of Taiwan. For the first time, the Festival was planned to take place in Edinburgh but, in light of the global pandemic, the event was re-pivoted to a purely online form, presenting 20 carefully selected titles to the audiences.