Lost and Found: 70th Anniversary of “Taiyupian” (Taiwanese-Language Cinema) | 2026 TFAI Research Symposium

Each year in celebration of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI) hosts a research symposium to present its annual findings. As the year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of Taiwanese-language cinema (Taiyupian), TFAI is dedicated to repositioning its place in world cinema history through long-term efforts in collecting, organizing, and restoring these precious films. Under the theme "Lost and Found," this year's symposium focuses on examining surviving Taiwanese-language film fragments and related historical research to reconstruct new meanings from these remnants. In addition to presenting in-house research on "Reconstructing Lost Taiyupian," international scholars have been invited to deepen the dialogue between Taiwan and the world, enriching the contemporary exploration of Taiwanese-language films.

➤ Date: October 23-24 (Friday-Saturday), 2026 | Location: Cinema A, Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (No. 2, Wenyi Rd., Xinzhuang Dist., New Taipei City)

Celebratory Outdoor Events Commemorating World Day for Audiovisual Heritage and 70th Anniversary of “Taiyupian”

In response to UNESCO’s World Day for Audiovisual Heritage and in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Taiwanese-language cinema, TFAI is joining this year's Audiovisual Heritage celebrations by expanding the event series to Beitou District—famously known as the "Hollywood of Taiwanese-language films." The event will feature performances of classic Taiwanese songs by renowned singer HUNG Jung-hung and the a cappella theater troupe "dramAcappella," a series of interactive Taiwanese film set experiences, and an outdoor screening of the digitally restored classic Love Never Ceases (1962), all aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of preserving and restoring Taiwanese-language films and audiovisual archives.

➤ Date: October 31 (Saturday), 2026 | Time: 13:30–21:00 | Location: Qixing Park, next to Xinbeitou Metro Station (No. 1, Qixing Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei City

◢◤ (1) Taiwanese Film Set Experiences◥◣ 

➤ Date: October 31 (Saturday) 13:30-18:00 | West Side of Beitou Qixing Park 

Transforming Qixing Park into an outdoor Taiwanese film set, this event invites visitors of all ages to enjoy an afternoon of Taiwanese-language activities featuring cinema, gaming, music, and authentic local culture. Participants who successfully clear the challenges will have a chance to receive promotional gifts, including movie posters (limited to 20 copies), vinyl records (limited to 20 copies), and antique items (limited to 20 pieces). The event also offers traditional Taiwanese food experiences (limited to 100 portions) and free vintage-style Polaroid photography (limited to 40 prints).

 ◢◤ (2) Live Music Performance and Pre-Screening Talk◥◣ 

➤ Date: October 31 (Saturday) 18:00-18:30 | Xinbeitou Train Station Platform 

This event kicks off with a short musical performance by dramAcappella—currently the only ensemble in Taiwan specializing in performing musicals via a cappella. Inspired by the imagery of train stations prominent in classic Taiwanese-language films, this performance pays tribute to the town of Beitou and the professionals of the Taiwanese film industry.

Following this, Golden Melody winner HUNG Jung-hung will perform iconic Taiwanese film theme songs originally composed by his father, HUNG I-feng, featuring vocal accompaniment by dramAcappella. After the concert, HUNG will hold a panel talk with the audience to discuss behind-the-scenes stories involving his father and the classic film Love Never Ceases (1962).

 ◢◤ (3) Outdoor Screening of Newly Restored Classic Love Never Ceases (1962)◥◣ 

➤ Date: October 31 (Saturday) 18:30-20:30 | East Side of Beitou Qixing Park 

Screening: Love Never Ceases | Dir. SHAO Lo-hui | Taiwan | 1962/2026 | B&W | 95 mins

Marking the feature film debut of "King of Formosan Song" HUNG I-feng in a leading role, the film presents numerous popular tracks combining Japanese folk influences, local ballads, and original compositions.

Talented music instructor HUNG I-feng arrives in southern Taiwan for a teaching post and quickly falls in love with a local woman, Yue-xia. However, their romance is cut short when Yue-xia’s adoptive father forces her into an arranged marriage with a business chairman and dismisses HUNG from his teaching position, forcing him to relocate to Alishan. Seeking true love, Yue-xia flees her home, reunites with HUNG, and later gives birth to a daughter. Just as stability seems within reach, Yue-xia’s adoptive father tracks her down and forcibly separates the small family. Years later, when Yue-xia and HUNG’s daughter goes missing in Taipei while searching for her mother with her nanny, a frantic HUNG abandons his quiet life to launch a music career, hoping his newfound fame will help him find his lost wife and child.

 ◢◤(4) Talks:Lost and Found: 70th Anniversary of “Taiyupian” (Taiwanese-Language Cinema) | 2026 TFAI Research Symposium◥◣ 

Host: Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI)

➤ Date: October 23-24 (Friday-Saturday), 2026

➤  Location: Cinema A, Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI) (No. 2, Wenyi Rd., Xinzhuang Dist., New Taipei City)

➤ Registration: https://forms.gle/mtmRbJNo1BaJ9dYh6

Reminder:

* On-site Distribution of Reconstructing Lost Taiyupian: An Archival Research Practice.

* Light refreshments will be provided on both days. Please arrange your own lunch and dinner.

* Bringing a light jacket is recommended, as the air conditioning in Cinema A is quite cold.

* Certificates of seminar attendance can be provided upon request.

* Admission is free. Please help us spread the word and register early!

* Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. A confirmation email will be sent upon successful registration.