Ming-Yeh Rawnsley, Research Associate, SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies, University of London, UK

As Dina Iordanova (2010: 18–19) has noted, ‘There is disparity in the behaviour of countries when it comes to festivals organised with the mandate to promote national cinemas. This disparity is often linked to the availability of resources directed to culture. […] A country like Taiwan which seeks state recognition, uses film festivals as an important tool in international relations.’ This talk surveys film festivals in and about Taiwan to provide the above statement with a clearer context and investigate how Taiwan uses film festivals as a tool of cultural diplomacy to screen the island’s soft power. A part of the Asian Studies Center Global Virtual Speakers Program.