Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles-NEWSLETTER

Upcoming Event

Taiwan Comics at San Diego Comic-Con 2025: Stories Flow, Memories Glow

From July 24 to 27, 2025, Taiwan artists return to the global stage at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), one of the world’s largest and most influential pop culture conventions. Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles collaborates with the Chinese Animation and Comic Publishers Association (CCPA) to present a vibrant showcase of original comics and novels under the theme “T-Comics: Stories Flow, Memories Glow.” The program features exhibitions, artist signings, panel discussions, and interactive events that highlight the creative depth of Taiwanese storytelling.

At Booth 5524, three Taiwanese artists will connect with international fans through daily in-person engagement:

Zhou Jian-Xin ｜ Son of Formosa

This award-winning graphic novel brings Taiwan’s democratic history to life through compelling visual narratives. It has received the FREEMAN Book Award, the GLLI Translated YA Book Prize, and Germany’s Max and Moritz Award, and has been translated into several languages.

Imo and Yachter｜ Bottoms up! Wine Glasses no Goldfish

Inspired by cycling around Taiwan and local rice wine culture, this creative duo produced the first Taiwanese comic certified by FSC for sustainable publishing. Their work blends environmental awareness with heartfelt stories rooted in Taiwanese life.

Max Wan｜ Artist Alley Booth HH19

Based in Los Angeles, Max Wan is a seasoned concept artist with more than 15 years of experience in AAA game design, illustration, and art education. His mix of realism and fantasy will be showcased at Artist Alley through original artworks and artbooks.

Taiwan’s delegation also features 23 curated titles from the Taiwan IP Showcase, presented in a full color catalog in English available on site. Visitors can participate in artist signings, vote in a reader poll, and join giveaway events that celebrate the diversity of Taiwanese comics.

An official SDCC panel titled “Small Voices, Big Stories” will be held on July 26, featuring Zhou Jian-Xin and Imo as they discuss how comics can preserve memory, express identity, and build cross-cultural understanding.

Event Information (Pacific Time)

Dates：July 24 (Thu) – July 27 (Sun), 2025

Venue：San Diego Convention Center

Taiwan Booth：#5524

Artist Alley：Max Wan ＠Booth HH-19

Official Panel：Small Voices, Big Stories－July 26 (Sat), 5:00–6:00 PM ＠Room 25ABC

Tsai Ming-liang 2025 U.S. and Mexico Tour

Internationally renowned filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang launches his 2025 retrospective tour across the U.S. and Mexico this August. Joined by actor Lee Kang-sheng and Anong Houngheuangsy, Tsai will present his complete Walker series and iconic narrative features in Los Angeles, Mexico City, and San Francisco.

The Walker Series in North America Created between 2012 and 2024, the ten Walker films trace a unique cinematic and spiritual journey through Taipei, Paris, Tokyo, Washington D.C., and beyond. Red-robed and barefoot, Lee Kang-sheng embodies a walking meditation that transcends space and time.

Tsai Ming-liang, Lee Kang-sheng, and Anong Houngheuangsy are currently scheduled to attend all Q&A sessions whenever possible. The Walker series will be presented in its entirety for the first time in North America.

Tour Overview

Los Angeles｜American Cinematheque (August 6–10)

Mexico City｜Cineteca Nacional (August 13–19)

San Francisco｜BAMPFA – Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (August 22–31)

Ongoing Event

The Dream of Yūgen – Lo Chan-Peng Solo Exhibition

Currently based in Los Angeles, Taiwanese artist Lo Chan-Peng will have his solo exhibition in Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles. In Japanese aesthetics, “yūgen” is defined as a profound beauty that resides in the subtle and the unseen—a quiet that hovers between the visible and invisible. In his paintings, this sensibility is not expressed directly, but permeates the layers of color and texture like a delicate breath. The new series “Homesickness” will be first released at the show. Take a visit if you are interested from July 19 to August 23. Check https://coreyhelfordgallery.com/ for more information.

Update Information

Six Taiwanese film professionals have been invited to join the Academy

The organizer of the Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recently announced the list of new members for 2025. Taiwanese senior editor Ching-Sung Liao, producer Peggy Chiao, producer Vincent Wang, director Mong-Hong Chung, composer Wei-San Hsu, and editor Yang-Hua Hu from Taiwan were invited to join the highest hall of the global film and television industry! The Academy has about ten thousand members, most of whom are eligible to vote for the Oscars. Among the 534 new members this year, 6 Taiwanese filmmakers have been included, showing that their achievements have been recognized internationally. We look forward to more partners joining us to let Taiwanese film and television works be seen by the world.

Artist-in-residence Cheng Jen-Pei’s exploration of Angelenos’ food memories

Taiwanese artist Cheng Jen-Pei is participating in the residency program at the 18th Street Art Center from June to August 2025. After she arrived, she started to do interviews with participants who were willing to share stories of meaningful dishes from their past and sketched them in charcoal. These drawings will inspire Cheng’s upcoming photo works, which will be showcased this August at the 18th Street Art Center. She is also invited by DJ Sammy on KAZN AM1300 to talk more about her residency and artistic process.

Apply Now: 2026 Fulbright Taiwan Ministry of Culture Arts Professionals Grant

Since 2018, this program has been jointly administered by Fulbright Taiwan and the Ministry of Culture. It supports outstanding professionals in arts administration, cultural management, curation, technical production, and criticism to pursue academic and professional exchange in the United States.

To date, 19 Taiwan-based professionals have received this grant. Their fields of work include performing arts, exhibition design, heritage conservation, and audience engagement.

How to Apply
Applicants must complete the online application form and upload required documents by October 31, 2025.
Program Info and Application: https://www.fulbright.org.tw

Open call for the brand-new "Wen-Hsin Award" for public contributions in cultural equality

Since the establishment of the "Wen-Hsin Award" in 1998, more than 1,650 winners have been awarded. Starting from 2025, the award will be transformed to encourage concrete actions to implement cultural equality. The core lies in cultural access, social influence, and potential for change, and focuses on improving cultural accessibility, diversity and inclusion, innovative practice, and sustainable development. Apply before August 8. For more information, visit: https://aaba.moc.gov.tw

TIHRFF Call For Entries - 2025 Human Rights Film Award

The 2025 Human Rights Film Award, part of the Taiwan International Human Rights Film Festival, is now open for submissions. This theme of 2025 is "Environmental Human Rights", calls on filmmakers to spotlight the urgent challenges facing the planet and communities. Short films and documentaries (under 30 minutes) that explore topics such as climate change, biodiversity, sustainability, education, gender equality, indigenous rights, and environmental justice are welcome.

Directors must be at least 18 years old and hold ROC nationality or valid Taiwan residency. Films must be completed after January 1, 2024, and all genres and formats are accepted. The submission deadline is August 3, 2025 (GMT+8), with a total prize pool of NT$600,000. Selected works will receive awards and be featured during the 2025 festival. For more information, please visit https://tihrff.nhrm.gov.tw/home/zh-tw/2024news/139468?mark=