FEFF27 – When the West Turns Its Gaze on Contemporary Asia
75 titles from 11 countries examining time and society through cinema.
Sylvia Chang will be collecting the Golden Mulberry for Lifetime Achievement Award.
Opening title is Chinese comedy Green Wave, a story of hopes and mistakes.
If Asia is a galaxy, contemporary Asia is the planet upon which the Far East Film Festival of Udine rests its eyes – eyes that are as curious as they are enamoured. That’s what it’s been doing ever since its very first edition in 1999, and now that it’s about to write the 27th chapter of its long history, its eyes are looking more intensely than ever. And as well as being curious and enamoured, its eyes are also deeply attentive to the colours, nuances and pressures of current events. Even more than being a journey and an accumulation of narratives, the FEFF is a gaze – a gaze that graphic designer Roberto Rosolin has crystallised in the new official image that the festival will multiply through the thematic trajectories of the new line-up.
75 titles (48 in competition, 27 out of competition) from 11 countries. More precisely, 7 world premieres, 15 international premieres, 20 European premieres and 19 Italian premieres. A vast selection of popular cinema, which obviously also includes auteur movies and tributes to the past, through which to observe today’s Asia and its narrative close-up. Very close-up. Never before, in fact, has popular cinema seemed so interested in speaking about time and society – without giving up its popular, mainstream and commercial vocation, but also without skimping on the food for thought. Food for thought that is sometimes trenchant.
Held in Udine at the historic headquarters of the Teatro Nuovo theatre and in the spaces of the Visionario cinema from 24 April to 2 May the festival will offer a 9-day full immersion (with screenings from morning to night, talks, a daily live press review and stars walking the red carpet, without obviously forgetting the Focus Asia industry section, the journalistic itineraries of Bambù and the educational focus of the FEFF Campus) and will transform the heart of the city into a vibrant Asian Zone (there are over 100 Far East Film Events scheduled).
Taiwan films at FEFF27
COMPETITION SECTION [48 films]
There are 48 films in this section. Five of them from Taiwan.
Daughter’s Daughter
HUANG Xi
Three generations of three women
Taiwan 2024, European Premiere
Family Matters
PAN Ke-yin
Four chapters of a family drama
Taiwan 2025, European Premiere*
Gatao: Like Father Like Son
YAO Hung-i, Ray JIANG
The war between gangsters never ends
Taiwan 2024, Italian Premiere
Gatao: Like Father Like Son at IMDB
Organ Child
CHIEH Shueh Bin
Bleak revenge thriller
Taiwan 2025, International Premiere
Organ Child at IMDB
The Uniform
CHUANG Ching-shen
Falling-in-love-with-the-same-boy
Taiwan 2024, European Premiere
RESTORED CLASSICS [8 films]
A special mention goes to the restored classics section, which is packed with truly unmissable movies: from the
European premiere of Barking Dogs Never Bite, the explosive directorial debut of Oscar winner Bong Joon-ho, and
Filipino evergreen Bona by Lino Brocka, right up to Johnnie To’s absolute masterpiece PTU. The FEFF has also
renewed its collaboration with the Taipei Archive (Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute) and will be presenting a
three-film tribute to director Pai Ching-jui who, in 1961, managed to realise his dream and enrolled at the Centro
Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome where he studied Italian cinema and, in particular, neorealism.
There are 8 restored. One from Taiwan.
The Story of a Small Town, LEE Hsing, drama, Taiwan 1979/restored 2024, World Festival Premiere
Tribute to PAI Ching-jui
Accidental Trio, PAI Ching-jui, comedy, Taiwan 1969/restored 2024, World Premiere
Good Bye! Darling, PAI Ching-jui, romance, Taiwan 1970/restored 2024, World Premiere
Lonely Seventeen, PAI Ching-jui, coming of age, Taiwan romance, 1967/restored 2024, World Premiere
ALL THE FEFF STARS 2025
…from TAIWAN
HUANG Xi, director, Daughter’s Daughter
Sylvia CHANG, actress, Daughter’s Daughter and Shanghai Blues
Shiny FANG, producer, Daughter’s Daughter
PAN Ke-yin, director, Family Matters
CHIEH Shueh Bin, director, Organ Child
Moon LEE, actress, Organ Child
CHUANG Ching-shen, director, The Uniform
WANG Li-Wen, scriptwriter, The Uniform
Buffy CHEN Yan-fei, actress, The Uniform
David TANG, producer, The Uniform
FEFF27 Golden Mulberry Award
In 2024 a king by the name of Zhang Yimou took the stage of the Teatro Nuovo and the FEFF awarded him the
Golden Mulberry for Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, on the same stage, a queen will be collecting the
Golden Mulberry for Lifetime Achievement Award: Sylvia Chang. Actress, singer, director, screenwriter, producer
and radio DJ. If it weren’t so overused, the word “icon” would be perfect for her – but to be honest, no word can really
capture her greatness! FEFF 27 will allow visitors to admire the diva of yesterday, with Tsui Hark’s legendary
Shanghai Blues (one of the gems of the restored classics section), and the diva of today, with splendid family drama
Daughter’s Daughter.
Sylvia Chang
Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award 2025
Sylvia Chang’s journey began as a DJ and singer in Taiwan during the 1970s, but it wasn’t long before she made the
transition to film and television. Her natural talent and charisma quickly made her a star, and she became known for
her ability to inhabit a wide range of roles. Chang’s filmography includes some of the most iconic performances in
cinema, including Raymond To’s “Forever and Ever”, Johnnie To’s “All About Ah-Long” and Tsui Hark’s “Shanghai
Blues”, among many others.
In the 1980s, Chang began with writing and directing, and quickly proved to be a formidable talent behind the camera
as well. Her films have been celebrated for their sensitivity, emotional depth, and ability to capture the complexities of
human relationships and experiences. As an actress, writer, and director, Chang’s contributions to the film industry
have been recognised with numerous awards and accolades, including awards in acting, directing, and writing.
Chang’s influence on the film industry extends beyond her own work as an artist. She has been a vocal advocate for
greater diversity and representation in the industry, and has worked tirelessly to promote the work of other filmmakers,
particularly women and artists from underrepresented communities. Her impact has been felt not just through awards
and recognition but also through the way that her work has inspired and influenced generations of filmmakers.
But perhaps even more important than her individual achievements is the influence that Chang has had on
generations of filmmakers and audiences. She has challenged conventions, broken down barriers, and created art
that is both promising and thought-provoking. She has been a role model for not just women in the industry but also a
symbol of the power of creativity and perseverance for every filmmaker.
