The Taiwan European Film Festival (歐洲魅影影展) is a great opportunity for filmgoers to catch up with what is happening with the increasingly diverse range of films now being offered by Europe. Residents of Taipei are no strangers to European films, with a number of cinemas dedicated to screening films from around the world, but outside the capital, the opportunities to view films other than local or Hollywood productions are limited.
The Taiwan European Film Festival got started in 2005, and is sponsored by the European Economic and Trade Office (歐洲經濟貿易辦事處). From small beginnings, and with the rapid penetration of digital technology, the festival has grown quickly, and this year will feature screenings at 26 venues located in 12 cities across Taiwan. According to Infine Art and Culture Exchange (上苑文化藝術有限公司), the organizer, the prejudice against European films as exclusively hard-to-fathom art house works is gradually breaking down, due both to increased exposure and the embracing of more commercial and mainstream ideas in the film industries of European countries. As a result, the festival has become an ideal medium to facilitate a greater understanding of Europe by Taiwanese.
Most of the screenings take place in university auditoriums around the country. Films will be screened at six venues in Taipei, and also in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, Yunlin, Kaohsiung, Yilan, Hualien and Taitung until Dec. 10. Full screening information and location of venues is available at the festival Web site: teff.pixnet.net. All screenings are free.
Photo courtesy of Infine
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