2025 New Southbound Film Series | Taipei Film Festival x Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation: “New Southbound Visions” Officially Launched
The Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation, in collaboration with the 27th Taipei Film Festival, proudly presents a newly curated section titled "New Southbound Visions". This category presents a selection of five outstanding works from Southeast and South Asia that have garnered international acclaim. This special program invites film enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the rich convergence of diverse cultures and cinematic expressions. The program will officially open on June 21, with several internationally renowned directors and actors attending in person. A "New Southbound Cultural Forum" will follow on June 22, offering in-depth discussions on the evolving landscape of cinema and culture in the South.
Bridging the Indo-Pacific through Cinema with the 2025 “New Southbound Film” Series
The New Southbound Film Series aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cinematic languages and cultural narratives of the New Southbound countries through the powerful medium of film. Exploring themes such as national identity, historical memory, and ethnic consciousness, the series presents some aspects of the social and cultural contexts of Southeast Asia and South Asia, guiding audiences toward a deeper understanding of the region's lived realities and spiritual landscapes.
This year’s program centers around the “New Southbound Visions” section, featuring five exceptional films from across the region. These works not only highlight the multifaceted charm of contemporary Asian cities but also reflect the genuine intersections of culture, language, and faith. As the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation remarks, “The brilliance of this film program lies in its portrayal of the dynamic cultural diversity of Asian cities, offering insight into how different societies embrace and integrate various traditions, languages, and beliefs.”
With years of dedication to engagement in the New Southbound countries, the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation partners with the 27th Taipei Film Festival to present a compelling collection of representative cinematic works. This initiative allows Taiwanese audiences to witness the rise of Asian talents in the international cinematic scene, promotes cultural interaction among Taiwan’s diverse communities, strengthens Taiwan’s cultural connections with the Indo-Pacific region, and deepens engagement with foreign missions in Taiwan.
Throughout the film festival, the audience will witness how culture transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries, revealing both shared experiences and unique distinctions. TAEF hopes that this will foster broader cultural identities and enable mutual understanding as well as two-way dialogue.
“New Southbound Visions” Selection: Five Critically Acclaimed Films from Berlinale and Sundance
For this first collaboration, our selection broadcasts five films spanning a variety of narrative styles and social themes, blending artistic merit with audience appeal. Together, they showcase a unique flair of South and Southeast Asian cinema and offer a rare, cross-cultural cinematic journey.
Here are the movies curated in this 2025 New Southbound Vision category:
Sunshine – Winner of the Crystal Bear in the Generation Kplus section at the 2025 Berlinale, this Filipino film centers on a pregnant teenage girl confronting the tension between her dreams and bodily autonomy, shedding light on the pressing issue of reproductive rights for women in the Philippines.
Cactus Pears – Recipient of the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, this drama delves into the seldom-explored realm of queer relationships in the Indian context. Through a protagonist who returns home for a funeral and reconnects with a childhood friend, the film tenderly portrays the tug-of-war between forbidden love and society expectations.
I, the Song – From Bhutan, this film won Best Director at the 2024 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Critics’ Choice). It follows a female teacher wrongly accused of starring in an ‘indecent’ video, sparking a journey that intertwines traditional Bhutanese songs with contemporary feminist struggles. This journey leads the audience through a reflection on identity, culture, and awakening in the face of modernization.
Macai – A Malaysian road comedy full of absurdity, this film connects themes of social class, drug cartels, disillusioned youth, and fractured family dynamics, offering an absurd yet biting commentary on contemporary Malaysian society.
Crocodile Tears – A surreal fable by an emerging Indonesian director, this film explores the interplay between trauma and myth, using fantastical storytelling to examine the enduring power of memory and legend.
Together, these five works illuminate the multifaceted realities of gender, identity, belief, and cultural transformation in some of the New Southbound countries. The “New Southbound Visions” section demonstrates the power of cinema as a cultural bridge, leading viewers into the richly diverse landscape of Asia and opening new pathways for cross-cultural dialogue.
Taipei Film Festival: New Southbound Vision- Trailer
The 27th Taipei Film Festival will be held from June 20 to July 5, 2025 at Zhongshan Hall, VieShow Cinemas Xinyi, and SPOT Huashan Cinema. The full film lineup and event schedule have been announced, and ticket sales open on June 8. Please stay tuned to the TAEF social media platforms and the official festival website for the latest updates. Details: https://www.taipeiff.taipei/tw/