Asian World Film Festival Unveils Focus on Taiwan Program Nov. 14, Culver City

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) today unveiled the details of its 2026 Focus On Taiwan program, which will take place on Nov. 14, 2026 at the Culver Theater in Culver City, California. The half-day celebration of Taiwanese cinema will present four award-winning films—a feature film and three shorts—red carpet arrivals, and audience Q&As.

"From the animated world of 'Praying Mantis' to the intimate portrait of Taiwan past in 'A Foggy Tale," Focus On Taiwan provides audiences with a sense of the sweep of Taiwanese cinema," said Georges N. Chamchoum, AWFF executive director. "Taiwan has long inspired filmmakers beyond its borders and it's a joy to present work that continues that tradition."

"This year, TAICCA is presenting 'A Foggy Tale,' Taiwan's official Oscar entry, which earned more than US$3 million at the Taiwan box office, along with three Oscar-qualified shorts that reflect the depth and range of Taiwanese filmmaking across different forms," said Sue Wang, chairperson of the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA). "The Asian World Film Festival is an important North American stage during awards season, and we hope it will help more Academy members discover Taiwanese stories."

Focus on Taiwan will open with a trio of shorts that have qualified for Academy Award consideration, each winning in a different category—animation, live action and documentary. "Praying Mantis," directed by Hsieh Wen-ming (Joe), comes to the festival after receiving both the Golden Horse Award for Best Animated Short Film and the Grand Prize for Short Animation at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Huang Sheng Chun's live action "The Brave Swing" won the Best International Fiction Award at the Odense International Film Festival. And, Hsu Hui-ju's "Fragments of Herstory," garnered the Golden Horse Award for Best Documentary Short Film.

Closing the day will be "A Foggy Tale," Chen Yu-Hsun's poignant drama set in mid-20th century Taiwan. The film won four honors at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards, including Best Narrative Feature, and was selected as the Taiwanese entry for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.

Focus On Taiwan is presented in collaboration with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and the Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles.

Tickets for Short Film Program are here.

Tickets for A Foggy Tale are here.

Media Contact:
Weissman/Markovitz Communications
Rick Markovitz
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SOURCE Asian World Film Festival