Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage in May 2019. This landmark legislation paved the way for a higher level of creative freedom for Taiwan's LGBTQ artists. One year after the law took effect, with the support from Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles has first partnered with Frameline44 San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival and will present “Spotlight on Taiwan” through September 17-27, 2020, within which one feature “The Teacher” and one documentary “Taiwan Equals Love” will be screened virtually followed by a Q&A and a panel discussion about Taiwan’s diversity and equality. The film streaming with Q&A and panel discussion is geo-blocked to California, and tickets are available only to viewers in California. Spotlight on Taiwan is expected to amaze the audience with Taiwanese films in an innovative way!
“The Teacher” depicts the dilemma among love, family, and career faced by a gay teacher starred by Oscar Chiu, who was nominated for Best New Performer at 56th Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival. And Actress Winnie Chang Shih-ying, who played the wife, won the 56th Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress. Director Ming Lang Chen, actor Oscar Chiu, and actress Winnie Chang Shih-ying will participate in the virtual post-screening Q&A. “Taiwan Equals Love” documents the clash between marriage equality activists and their opponents in late 2016, a time when the parties of the Taiwan Legislative Yuan submitted drafts on the marriage equality act but were confronted with anti-LGBTQ groups. Meanwhile, three pairs of same-sex partners of different generations are also facing their own issues that challenge their relationships. The screening of “Taiwan Equals Love” will be followed by a panel discussion which co-producer Jay Lin and director Ming Lang Chen of “The Teacher” are invited to share with the audience Taiwan’s LGBTQ film story creation after legalization of same-sex marriage. Moreover, in order to reveal the production of Taiwanese film and Taiwan’s LGBTQ artistic achievements to the world, the panel discussion and Q&A will be available to be viewed worldwide on Youtube and Facebook since September 19 (PST, panel discussion) and September 26 (PST, Q&A).
Founded in 1977 by media arts nonprofit Frameline, the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival has become the longest-running, largest and most widely recognized LGBTQ film festival in the United States. With an annual attendance of 60,000+, the festival is held every year in late June that coincides with the annual San Francisco Pride parade, which takes place on the last Sunday of June. This year, due to the impact of COVID-19, the Frameline44 Festival is announced to be held virtually through September 17–27, featuring 30 features and 7 shorts sections from 24 countries, an opening drive-in screening, Q&As, panels and a virtual Award Night.