Screening Taiwan Soft Power: Film Festivals in and about Taiwan

As Dina lordanova (2010: 18-19) has noted, ‘There is disparity in the behaviour of countries when it comes to festivals organised with the mandate to promote national cinemas. This dis- parity is often linked to the availability of resourc- es directed to culture. […] A country like Taiwan which seeks state recognition, uses film festivals as an important tool in international relations.’

This paper surveys film festivals in and about Taiwan to provide the above statement with a clearer context and investigate how Taiwan uses film festivals as a tool of cultural diplomacy to screen the island’s soft power.