2021 Venice Film Festival announced the VR Expanded list, Seven Taiwan works were selected

The 78th Venice Film Festival (第78屆威尼斯影展) recently announced the official selection of VR Expanded nominees. A total of seven immersive works from Taiwan were selected, five of which were selected for competition, one for Best of VR Expanded-Out of Competition, and one for Special Event-Out of Competition, setting the best result for Taiwan VR works selected for the Venice Film Festival.

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Taiwan's shortlisted works show unique cultural diversity. Photo/Courtesy of Taiwan Creative Content Agency

The Venice Film Festival first created a VR Expanded in 2016 and set up a main competition unit the following year, hoping to encourage new creations. The Taiwanese works "Sick Rose" (病玫瑰), The Last Worker, The Starry Sand Beach, Bedlam, and "Samsara" (輪迴), were shortlisted in the main competition unit. “Speak to Awaken-Ep. 2 Kusunda” was selected Best of VR Expanded-Out of Competition and “In the Mist” (霧中) were selected as Special Event-Out of Competition of the film festival.

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Taiwan's shortlisted works show unique cultural diversity. Photo/Courtesy of Taiwan Creative Content Agency

The Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA, 文策院) held the "78th Venice Film Festival VR Unit Taiwan Finalists Press Conference" (第78屆威尼斯影展VR單元 台灣入圍作品記者會). Curator Michel Reilhac stated that many internationally co-produced shortlisted works show that language can break national barriers, the categories and richness of the chosen works show the diversity of Taiwan culture. I would like to thank Taiwanese creators for their abundant creative energy for bringing good works to the world. Curator Liz Rosenthal pointed out that the selected works in 2021 will be displayed on the online platform.