Taiwanese works nominated for awards at North American film festivals

Taipei, March 23 (CNA) 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.

Organizers of Canada's Banff's Rockie Awards International Program Competition announced that the Taiwanese LGBTQ+ feature film "Silent Sparks" (愛作歹) 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 (施名帥) and Akira Huang (黃冠智), 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 (朱平) thanked PTS for believing in his creative process.

"Thank you for all the sacrifices from the cast and crew," Chu said, "I am happy the world can watch our 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" (聽海湧), which has been considered by the New York Festivals -- TV & 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. At that time, Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule.

In a press release, the show's director Sun Jie-heng (孫介珩) said he was glad that Taiwan's World War II story was being told to the rest of the world.

"I hope this message will encourage us to tell more Taiwanese stories," he said.

In addition, the Taiwanese psychological thriller, "Tasty Tongue" (美味的舌頭), has also been nominated for a Student Film award.

Director Pearl Zheng (鄭憶臻) from the Taipei National University of the Arts said she hoped to convey the theme of "karma" to her audience.

The competition organizer said that all winners will be named on May 22.