In 2019, director Hsiao Chu-Chen was deeply moved by stories shared at the memorial of semiconductor pioneer Hu Ding-Hwa—accounts of engineers who, driven by a sense of national mission, journeyed overseas to acquire the crucial knowledge that ignited Taiwan’s chip industry. Their spirit of sacrifice and collective resolve not only laid the foundation for Taiwan’s semiconductor revolution, but also marked a pivotal chapter in the island’s struggle for survival and global relevance.
Directed by award-winning Hsiao Chu-Chen and produced by semiconductor veteran Ben Chen and acclaimed Oscar member Ben Tsiang, this five-year project draws on insights from voices across generations—from early contributors to today’s professionals in the semiconductor industry. A Chip Odyssey traces Taiwan’s journey from humble beginnings to its emergence as a critical pillar of the digital world. Through the eyes of pioneering engineers, female line technicians, frontline policymakers, visionary scientists, and a new generation now facing critical choices, the film reveals how, half a century ago, an entire island came together in a high-stakes gamble to shape its own destiny—and the future of global technology.
Though Taiwan accounts for less than 0.02% of the world’s landmass, it has become an indispensable force in the era of AI and advanced chipmaking. As the invisible engines of modern life, chips produced in Taiwan now power everything from smart devices to strategic defense, placing the island at the center of the global technology race.
A Chip Odyssey is not only a chronicle of technological ascent; it is a powerful testament to the spirit of a small island that poured its heart and soul into survival, innovation, and global relevance. As tensions rise and the semiconductor race intensifies, the film reminds us that behind every chip lies a human story—and behind every breakthrough, a cross-generational gamble.
-->> Event - Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus
-->> A Chip Odyssey - on facebook
-->> A Chip Odyssey - on Instagram
See more on the A Chip Odyssey - Website
A Chip Odyssey is part of the Taiwan Film Festival in Vienna.
Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Austria.
There is no entrance fee but to help the organizer estimate attendance, please fill out the form
Taiwan Film Festival in VIENNA - Google forms
See the full program : Taiwan Film Festival in Vienna
_______________________________________________________________Sun, 21 Jun 2026 | 14:30
iCal -- Google
Office 365 -- Outlook Live
_______________________________________________________________
