The 2026 Oscars season has officially begun. The Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles, in collaboration with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), is hosting screenings across Los Angeles featuring three acclaimed Taiwanese films representing Taiwan in this year’s Academy Awards race.
The program opens with the Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) and its special “Focus on Taiwan” section, presenting three distinctive works: The Left-Handed Girl, Taiwan’s official submission for Best International Feature Film; Side A: A Summer Day, an Oscar-qualifying live action short; and From Island to Island, an Oscar-qualifying documentary feature. Together, these films highlight the diversity and depth of contemporary Taiwanese cinema.
Screenings at the Culver Theater featured post-film Q&As with directors and creative teams. Side A: A Summer Day (Nov 14) was followed by a discussion with director Wan Kin-Fai; The Left-Handed Girl (Nov 14 & 15) included director Shih-Ching Tsou, screenwriter Sean Baker, and lead actors Shih-Yuan Ma and Nina Ye; and From Island to Island (Nov 17) welcomed director Kek Huat Lau. A special screening of Marching Boys on Nov 13 launched the “Focus on Taiwan” program.
In partnership with the American Cinematheque, the Taiwan Academy also presented Side A: A Summer Day and From Island to Island on Nov 16 at Los Feliz 3 Theatre, with both directors joining the post-screening discussion.
Through this series, Taiwanese cinema continues to engage international audiences with its creative vision and storytelling strength. The Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles remains committed to promoting Taiwanese films worldwide and fostering cultural dialogue during the Oscars season.
Screening Schedule：
Asian World Film Festival｜Culver Theater
• Nov 13 (Thu) – 3:00 PM | Marching Boys (Special Screening)
• Nov 14 (Fri) – 4:00 PM | Side A: A Summer Day | Q&A with Director Wan Kin-Fai
• Nov 14 (Fri) – 6:30 PM | The Left-Handed Girl | Q&A with Director Shih-Ching Tsou, Screenwriter Sean Baker, and Lead Actors Shih-Yuan Ma, Nina Ye
• Nov 15 (Sat) – 6:00 PM | The Left-Handed Girl (Encore Screening) | Q&A with Screenwriter Sean Baker
• Nov 17 (Mon) – 2:00 PM | From Island to Island | Q&A with Director Kek Huat Lau
American Cinematheque｜Los Feliz 3 Theatre
• Nov 16 (Sun) – 4:00 PM | Side A: A Summer Day & From Island to Island
Post-screening Q&A with Directors Wan Kin-Fai and Kek Huat Lau