By KHT Staff. Cover image shows promo for “Arrested Memory” via Bella Magazine.
KAOHSIUNG — The 26th Kaohsiung Film Festival (高雄電影節) is underway, with screenings and events continuing through Oct. 26 at venues across the city.
The festival opened Oct. 9 and features around 200 feature-length and short films from Taiwan and overseas. This year’s theme, “抓馬人間,” plays on the English word “drama,” exploring the humor, conflict, and unexpected turns of everyday life.
Audiences can browse screening times and ticket links on the official festival website, along with a schedule of filmmaker appearances and discussions.
The closing film, Will You Still Be My Friend (日光), offers a particularly local connection. Director Lu Po-hsun’s (呂柏勳) debut feature was filmed mainly in Zihguan District (梓官區), including the fishing community of Kezihliao (蚵仔寮). It follows two boys whose friendship develops against tensions over local development, according to the festival’s introduction.
The film screens Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. in the seventh-floor auditorium of the Kaohsiung Main Public Library (高雄市立圖書館總館), with a filmmaker discussion listed. Visitors should check the film’s screening page for ticket availability.
The festival opened with Arrested Memory (狂忘警探), a Taiwan-Japan black-comedy crime film directed by SABU. Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said the film left a strong impression on him and praised its 11 Golden Horse Award nominations. The film had its Asian premiere at the festival on Oct. 9.
Other festival venues include the Kaohsiung Film Archive (高雄市電影館), Neiwei Arts Center (內惟藝術中心), VR Film Lab (VR體感劇院), Pier-2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區), and LIVE WAREHOUSE.
