SEOUL SWEETHEARTS
The Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) has signed an MoU with Korean production company Studio Dragon – behind “Queen of Tears,” “The Glory,” and “Crash Landing on You” – to launch “Bubble: Teen Romance Feature Co-Development Program,” an open call for authentic Taiwanese love stories or transnational Taiwan-Korea narratives. Selected projects will be co-developed by Taiwanese creative teams and seasoned Korean producers, with a focus on commercial works targeting international audiences.
TAICCA chair Sue Wang cited the strong Asian box office performance of Taiwanese teen romance films – including “Our Times,” “18×2 Beyond Youthful Days,” and “Lovesick” – as the impetus for seeking Korean co-production partners. Wang also pointed to the growing popularity of “Taiwan Sensibility” – the warm, nostalgic emotional tone rooted in Taiwanese culture – among Korean audiences as further momentum for the collaboration.
FORMOSA FLASHBACK
The Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI) has launched “Formosa Treasure: Taiyupian as World Cinema,” a year-long commemorative series celebrating the 70th anniversary of Taiyupian – commercial films produced in Taiwan and voiced in the Taiwanese language. The milestone traces back to 1956 and the release of “Xue Pinggui and Wang Baochuan,” the first Taiyupian shot on 35mm film.
Of approximately 1,200 Taiyupian titles identified in TFAI’s research, only around 200 survive in the institute’s collection. The program, running through 2026, spans film screenings, exhibitions and artifact showcases across four thematic pillars. Among the highlights are newly digitized restorations including “Zhang Di Seeks A-Zu” (1969) and “Good Neighbors” (1962). TFAI also plans international touring screenings in Singapore and Japan, alongside theatrical collaborations and open-access research initiatives.
NONFICTION NAVIGATOR
The U.K.’s Documentary Film Council (DFC) has appointed Mandy Chang as its first chief executive officer. Chang joins the member-owned organization – which represents nearly 1,000 filmmakers and industry professionals – from Fremantle, where she served as global head of documentaries. She previously served as commissioning editor of the BBC‘s Storyville strand from 2017 to 2021, and has directed, produced and executive produced over 100 films and series, including “The Mole Agent,” “Writing With Fire” and “Welcome to Chechnya.”
The DFC has also co-opted two new trustees: Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and programmer Zara Meerza, and Julian Carrington, executive director of the Documentary Organization of Canada.
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