In June and July of this year, film lovers from Taiwan and abroad will be able to enjoy a fantastic and diverse offering of films from around the world. This is thanks to the 11th Taipei Film Festival (TaipeiFF) and the administrative team behind it, who have worked tirelessly and in a highly professional manner to bring these films to viewers and bring this event to life.

This occasion allows us on one hand to look back on critically acclaimed classic films.  At the same time, it also lets us bear witness to the work of a new generation of film actors, directors, writers, cinematographers, technicians and producers. With the seal of approval of the TaipeiFF behind them, these new talents are ready to rise to the top and show their true merit on a world stage. 

Especially worthy of note in this year’s TaipeiFF is the manifestation of the continuing tradition of 100 years of Mexican film, which comes through a showcase of a new era of Mexican film. What the films on hand have in common is that they have all found great favor in international film festivals and film markets. Especially worthy of praise are previously released films, including Amores Perros, Babel, and El violín; brilliant, gifted directors like Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro González Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuaron; outstanding actors like Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal and Salma Hayek; and master cinematographers Emmanuel Lubezki and Rodrigo Prieto, whose marvelous talents have helped films, including The New World (2005) and Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain (2005) merit Oscar nominations for “Best Picture.”  

For decades, Mexico has been a cultural leader in Latin America, and the TaipeiFF organizers have made Mexican film part of this year’s themed section “Voices from Latin America.”

Finally, I firmly believe that in undertaking the formidable task of running this festival, the TaipeiFF’s elite administrative team will be rewarded by the undying thanks of Taipei audiences. As such, I sincerely wish the greatest honor upon the TaipeiFF and Taiwan’s entire diversity of cultural events.

Martín MuñozLedo
Section Chief
Mexican Liason Office in Taiwan, Cultural Affairs Section