The Powerful Magic of Immersive Entertainment

Date & Time: 2023/10/10 14:00-15:30

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Chien-Chang FENG／Artistic Director of FREES

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

Speaker: ※Simultaneous Interpreting

• Mariano Leotta

  Creative Director and Partner of ALTER AGENT

  Born in Sicily, since then he has lived in Milan, Berlin, Dubai, and Montreal. His career started with a focus on social awareness projects: from video art to multimedia installation and performances, his activist/artistic creations made it to prestigious art events, such as Moscow Biennale, Mediterranea, Milan Design Week and ISEA. Turning point for his career in 2015 when he undertook his long term bond as a director with the world class studio Moment Factory and he got to create immersive shows for international clients and artists, such as Royal Caribbean, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Childish Gambino, Namie Amuro, Sodagreen. In recent years he has established himself as a reference in the entertainment industry for the creative direction of live shows and immersive experiences, and in 2021 his passion for social matters and his experience in entertainment finally came full circle with Alter Agent: a new venture fully dedicated to the diffusion of human rights culture and environmental awareness toward the mainstream public thanks to the power of immersive experiences.

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We Are the Ones Who Laugh and Cry in the Comedy

Date & Time: 2023/10/14 16:00-18:00

Location: 7F Ji Hui Auditorium of Kaohsiung Main Public Library

Presenter: Kun-Lin TSAI／Scriptwriter

Reservation: Reserve Now

Speaker: ※Simultaneous Interpreting

• Kankurō Kudō

  Director, Actor and Scriptwriter

  Kankurō Kudō was born in 1970 in Miyagi Prefecture. He became involved with Otonakeikaku in 1991.

  In 2001, he received multiple screenwriter awards, including the Screenplay of the Year Category at the 25th Japan Academy Film Prize, for the film “GO.” Since then, he has scripted many highly regarded works.

  Kudō is not only a director and actor but also a versatile musician, actively participating in various fields.

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• John Han-Chiang HSU

  Director of “Detention” “Dead Talents Society”

  John Hsu is a screenwriter and director who graduated from the Master's program from the Department of Radio, Television, and Film at Shih Hsin University. His works often explore themes related to technology, fantasy, comedy, gaming, and virtual worlds. He excels in using a humorous and satirical style to critique contemporary social issues.

  In 2005, his TV movie “Real Online” earned him the Best Anthology Series Director award at the Golden Bell Awards. His short films have been nominated and awarded at various international film festivals. Starting in 2014, he ventured into producing online advertisements and micro movies, gaining high viewership and recognition, earning him advertising awards, and successfully sparking conversations. His debut feature film, “Detention,” was released in Taiwan in 2019 and became the highest-grossing Taiwanese film of the year. It received five Golden Horse Awards, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

  His first VR work, “Your Spiritual Temple Sucks,” was selected at over ten international film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival in 2018. It won international awards such as the Best Innovative Storytelling at the Swiss World VR Forum and the top prize at the LA Inception VR Film Festival. His VR interactive work, “Great Hoax,” was nominated in the VR competition category at the 2020 Venice Film Festival.

  Han-chiang Hsu is also the founder of the game video team, AFK PL@YERS, and has collaborated with Blizzard Entertainment for over a decade. He produced viral videos such as “Wrath of A Couch Potato,” “Cataclysm Millionaire,” and the “WoW Musical: Songs of Azeroth” series, which received acclaim from the Chinese-speaking gaming community.

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Your Role Isn't Just a Role - The Tango Between Directors and Actors

Date & Time: 2023/10/15 13:00-15:00

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Sam YUAN／Secretary-General of the NMEA

Reservation: Reserve Now

Speaker:

• Jing-Hua TSENG

  Actor

  In 2019, Jing-Hua Tseng stood out from over 7,000 candidates during a nationwide talent search. He made his official debut in the film ‘Detention’ and, within just five years, has already appeared in 12 different works. Despite accumulating a wealth of acting experience, he steadfastly refuses to set limits on himself, continuously interpreting various roles. For him, each story he takes part in injects new energy into his craft, allowing him to create a fresh version of himself. While relishing challenges and honing his acting skills, he consistently presents audiences with an array of ever-changing personas that surpass imagination. He is the embodiment of ‘irreplaceable’ and ‘incomparable.’ He is Jing-Hua Tseng.

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• Kuan-Hui LIN

  Director

  Kuan-hui Lin, a director and screenwriter, graduated with a concentration on filming from the Department of Radio, TV, & Film, Shih Hsin University, and with a directing focus from the Department of Filmmaking, Taipei National University of the Arts.

  She enjoys using fantasy elements to tell stories, often incorporating humor and heartwarming materials into her work. Her creative goal has always been to make the audience feel relaxed and joyful during the viewing process. Even when tackling serious topics, she uses humor in her presentation style, aiming to leave the audience with a sense of warmth and hope after viewing.

  Her first feature film was “Secrets in the Hot Spring,” and her latest work is the 2023 series “Oh No! Here Comes Trouble.”

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• Ivy SHAO

  Actress

  Ivy Shao made her debut in the drama industry in 2012. With her sweet image, she quickly gained popularity in dramas such as “Back to 1989” and “The Perfect Match,” becoming a guarantee for high viewership in idol dramas. Afterward, she began to explore various roles and genres, portraying a novice mother in “2049” and a Japanese-style nightclub hostess in “Ru-Taiwan Express Train.” In 2022, she delivered a breakthrough performance as an unmarried mother in “More Than Blue: The Series,” earning recognition for her acting skills and receiving a nomination for Best Leading Actress at the 57th Golden Bell Awards.
  In late October 2023, the upcoming film “Lost in Perfection,” directed by award-winning director Hsin-Yin Sung, features a groundbreaking performance by Ivy Shao, making it highly anticipated.

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• Pei-Ju HSIEH

  Director

  Director and screenwriter Pei-ju Hsieh holds a Bachelor's degree from the Department of Filmmaking, National Taiwan University of Arts and a Master's degree in Filmmaking from Columbia University in the United States. Her debut feature film, “Heavy Craving,” earned her the Fipresci Award from the International Federation of Film Critics at the 56th Golden Horse Awards. Her short film, “A Cockerel's Tale,” won the Best Director award at the 2020 Fantasia International Film Festival in Canada's International Short Film Competition. Pei-ju Hsieh also directed the series “More than Blue: Series,” which received the Best Miniseries or Television Film and Best Directing for a Miniseries or Television Film awards at the 57th Golden Bell Awards. Her film “Hello Ghost” was released in 2023.

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My Passion for Tokusatsu Outshines the Blazing Light

Date & Time: 2023/10/15 16:30-18:00

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: MR. SKIN／Director

Reservation: Reserve Now

Speaker: ※Consecutive Interpreting

• Taguchi Kiyotaka

  Japanese Tokusatsu (special effects) Director

  Taguchi Kiyotaka is a Japanese film and tokusatsu (special effects) director born in 1980. He is highly passionate about promoting the charm of tokusatsu and kaiju (monsters). In addition to his involvement in the production of numerous film and television dramas, he has also organized the “National Independent Monster Movie Player Rights” event since 2014. This event aims to popularize and nurture the production of independent monster movies.

  Director Taguchi developed a strong interest in tokusatsu (special effects) and monster films from a young age, particularly inspired by watching the “Godzilla” film series and reruns of tokusatsu TV dramas like “Ultra Q” and “Ultraman.” These works played a significant role in enriching Director Taguchi's formative years, and he even started creating independent movies centered around monsters during his high school days.

  Taguchi’s entry into the film and television industry began with his enrollment at the Nikkatsu Visual Arts Academy, where he accumulated experience in various works during his studies and gradually gained recognition as a visual effects creator. He directed several entries within the “Ultraman” series, including “Ultraman X,” “Ultraman Orb,” “Ultraman Z,” and the currently airing “Ultraman Blazar.” Outside of the “Ultraman” series, Taguchi has also served as a director in films such as “Chohatsu Daikaiju Gehara,” “The Next Generation: Patlabor,” and “12-nin no Ikareta Workshop.”

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Architect of Light── Give Me Different Colors of Light, I Can Give You A Magical City

Date & Time: 2023/10/22 13:30-15:30

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Agi Yi-Chieh CHEN／Artist of New Media and Projection mapping

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

Speaker: ※Simultaneous Interpreting

• Eto Ichiro

  Creative Director of the Naked, Inc.

  Eto Ichiro joined the company in 2010. He participated in the production and creative implementation of the 2012 Tokyo Station 3D light projection project and has since then became a member of Naked, Inc. as the Creative Director. Eto also contributed to the planning and creative execution of Naked, Inc.’s other projects such as Naked Ocean and Naked Flowers. His recent work includes the “Sakura Night Garden at Shinjuku Gyoen 2023” and “Naked Garden One Kyoto,” blending content from the real world with the virtual world and vice versa.

  Adapting to the changing times, Eto creates imaginative content that aligns with contemporary issues and trends. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he participated in the creation of “Naked, Inc. VR,” enabling people to experience “The Most Beautiful Starry Sky and Hot Springs at Achi Village” from the comfort of their homes. He also worked on immersive Tokyo projects like “Tokyo Art City by Naked,” exhibitions in Tokyo and Taipei, “Naked Sporev” at Miyashita Park in Shibuya, and immersive interactive experiences such as “Al Murabaa” held in Saudi Arabia.

  Since 2022, he has been fully dedicated to creating content, performances, and designs in the metaverse space.

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Capture The Glowing Moment of The Ordinary Workers

Date & Time: 2023/10/22 16:30-18:30

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Sam YUAN／Secretary-General of the NMEA

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

Speaker:

• Chun-Yang LIN

  Director of “Wave Makers”

  Born in 1980, Chun-yang Lin is involved in film and television production as both a director and a cinematographer. In the early stages of his career, he worked on projects centered around the theme of love. Later, he incorporated his experiences with love and emotions into his directorial work, as exemplified by his 2019 TV series “The World Between Us,” where he successfully and accurately tackled the highly controversial issue of schizophrenia. This film sparked conversations and reflections on the topic, elevating Taiwanese television drama to new heights. “The World Between Us” garnered six awards at the 54th Golden Bell Awards, including “Best Television Series” and “Best Directing for a Television Series.”

  In 2020, he participated as a cinematographer in the project “Workers,” using a gentle perspective to allow the audience to intimately experience a glimpse into Taiwan's diverse industries that should be carefully observed.
  
  In 2021, Chun-yang Lin directed the period drama “Gold Leaf,” undertaking a meticulous exploration of Taiwan's history. Taking the era into account, the series incorporated a variety of languages, including Hakka, Minnan, English, Japanese, Mandarin, and Shanghainese, to match the narrative context. The production aimed for authenticity in areas such as art direction and costume design, prompting viewers to contemplate the historical past of this land and actively to delve deeper into its exploration.
  
  In 2023, his film “Eye of the Storm” portrayed the experiences of medical professionals during the SARS quarantine incident that occurred 20 years earlier. The film received 13 nominations at the Taipei Film Festival, including “Best Director” and “Best Feature.”
  
  In the same year, his television series “Wave Makers” centered on the workplace of a publicity aide during a presidential election, telling the story of compromise and choices made beneath the overarching political landscape.

  Chun-yang Lin’s recent works focus on socially realistic themes. “What sparks my curiosity isn't just the issues themselves but what they reflect about the complexity of human nature.”

  Educational and Professional Background:

  • 2011: Graduated from the Master's program from the Department of Filmmaking at Taipei National University of the Arts
  • 2003: Graduated from the Bachelor's program from the Department of Communication Arts at Fu Jen Catholic University

  Television Series Director:

  • 2023: “Wave Makers”
  • 2021: “Gold Leaf”
  • 2019: “The World Between Us” (Won the “Best Directing for a Television Series” award at the 54th Golden Bell Awards)
  • 2019: “Brave to Love” (Co-directed with Robin Lee)
  • 2013: “Life Story - The Grand Slam”

  Film Director:

  • 2023: “Eye of the Storm”
  • 2015: “When Miracle Meets Maths”
  • 2012: “The Soul of Bread” (Co-directed with Ping-chuan Kao)

  Cinematography:

  • 2020: “Workers”
  • 2017: “Blossom”
  • 2016: “Black Sheep”
  • 2013: “Life Story - I Love Flowers”
  • 2012: “Life Story - Wonderful Single Life”
  • 2008: “My Grandma”
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• Fen-Fen CHENG

  Director of “Workers”

  Coming from a background in advertising production, Fen-fen Cheng has directed numerous episodes of the “Life Story” series for Public Television Service (PTS), garnering recognition at the Golden Bell Awards. Her debut feature film, “Keeping Watch,” received the “Best Screenplay Award” at the Singapore Asian Festival of First Films. Her second film, “Hear Me,” was the box office champion of that year in Taiwan and earned her a nomination for “Best New Performer” at the Golden Horse Awards. She also won the “Best Actress” award at the Taipei Film Festival. Among her other award-winning and successful films are “Taipei 24H,” “Bear It,” and “Go Brother!” Her latest television series, “Workers,” received several accolades at the 56th Golden Bell Awards, including “Best Miniseries,” “Best Directing for a Miniseries or Television Film,” “Best Leading Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film,” and “Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film.”

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• Yin-Chuan TSAI

  Director of “Tears on Fire”

  Yin-chuan Tsai is a director and screenwriter known for her works in both film and television. Her filmography includes movies such as “Stilt,” “Packages from Daddy,” and the TV series “Tears on Fire.” She also has authored picture books like “My 23 Faces” and “In the Year 2087.”

  Over the years, her films have received various awards, including the Best Screenplay Award at the Iran Jasmine International Film Festival, the Taiwan Excellent Screenplay Award, First Prize at the Filming Taipei Screenplay Competition, and the Gold Award at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival in the United States. Furthermore, “Tears on Fire” was deeply beloved by audiences, achieving top ratings across major platforms during its premiere. It also held the number one spot on Netflix for an uninterrupted 21 days. Both Chunghwa Telecom’s Hami Video and Taiwan Mobile’s myVideo announced that the series secured the top spot in the 2021 hottest drama rankings. It received the Most Popular Drama Series award at the Golden Bell Awards.

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• Li-Shu LIN

  Director of “Best Interest”

  Born in 1973.
  The quest for a delightful sense of humor has remained a consistent life theme.

  After concluding a career in law, Lin Lishu went to study acting and film in France at Université Paris III and Paul Valéry University Montpellier 3. Later, Lishu focused on audiovisual creation, working on commercials, films, television series, and music videos.
  Lishu has been selected as director by numerous well-known brands and has directed several notable works, including the 2011 film “The Killer Who Never Kills,” the 2013 film “Faithball,” the 2019 TV series “Best Interest.” In 2020, he took on the roles of producer, writer, and director for the film “Leaving Virginia,” and in 2022, he worked on the TV series “Best Interest II and III.”

  His works reflect warmth and satire, and he continues to create with a diverse style and enthusiastic energy.

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Let’s Make Taiwan’s Original Content Become An International Rage!

Date & Time: 2023/10/7 13:30-15:00

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Steve Wang／Co-founder of Activator Co., Ltd.

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

This forum is organized by TAICCA

Speaker:

• Yi-Chun HSU

  Vice Minister, Ministry of Culture

  Education:

  • M.A. in Mass Communication, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan(2000-2003)
  • B.A. in Journalism, Chinese Cultural University, Taiwan(1988-1992)

  Experience:

  • Director-General, Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, Ministry of Culture (2016-2023 August)
  • Director, Department of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, Ministry of Culture (2015-2016)
  • Director, Department of Culture & Creative Industry, Ministry of Culture (2013-2014)
  • Director, Department of Humanities & Publications, Ministry of Culture (2012-2013)
  • Deputy Director, First Department, Council for Cultural Affairs, Executive Yuan (2011-2012)
  • Senior Executive Officer, First Department, Council for Cultural Affairs, Executive Yuan (2007-2011)
  • Section Chief (Community & Local Museum), Second Department, Council for Cultural Affairs, Executive Yuan (2004-2005)
  • Section Chief (Cultural Heritage), First Department, Council for Cultural Affairs, Executive Yuan (2003-2004)
  • Specialist, First Department , Council for Cultural Affairs, Executive Yuan(1995-2003)
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• Hsueh-Hai HU

  President of Consumer Business Group, Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd.

  Experience: Hsueh-hai Hu holds a master's degree in Transportation and Communication Management Science from National Cheng Kung University. He previously served as the Vice President of the Mobile Business Group at Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd., and held roles as General Manager of the New Taipei Operations Division and Assistant Manager in the Marketing Department at the company. Additionally, He served as the General Manager of Spring House Entertainment Co., Ltd.

  Expertise: Hsueh-hai Hu specializes in telecommunications market operations and the strategic marketing of mobile, broadband, and value-added products.

  Recent Developments: In response to the government's policy aimed at elevating Taiwan's cultural and creative content to a "national-level strategic industry," Chunghwa Telecom actively collaborates with domestic film and television content providers to support content originating in Taiwan. Their recent investments in Taiwanese dramas, such as "Oxcart Trails" and "The Amazing Grace of Σ," have garnered 18 nominations at the 2023 Golden Bell Awards. Additionally, the production of "Port of Lies" has attracted significant attention and claimed the top spot on Netflix Taiwan's viewing charts.

  In addition, Chunghwa Telecom broadcasts major international events and sports competitions. Hami Video is the preferred sports event broadcasting platform for domestic audiences, with impressive viewership for the recent Hangzhou Asian Games broadcast.

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• Chun-Jung TSAI

  COO-Digital Entertainment of Far EasTone Telecommunications

  Chun-jung Tsai currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer at Far EasTone Telecommunications and Entertainment, where he is responsible for overseeing Far EasTone's digital entertainment services. This includes the planning and execution of strategies, marketing, distribution channels, and product development related to streaming video, music, and entertainment events.

  Chun-jung Tsai holds an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, as well as a degree in Diplomacy from the Department of Diplomacy at National Chengchi University in Taiwan. Throughout his career, he has held various positions, including serving as a Washington correspondent for China Television, working in roles at Fox/Star TV, being a part of the management team at Home+, and later serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the EMBA program at the College of Management, National Taiwan University.

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• Daphne LEE

  Vice President of New Media, Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd & Chairman of NMEA Taiwan New Media and Entertainment Association

  Daphne Lee is currently the Vice President of New Media at Taiwan Mobile, Taiwan's top 2 telco and largest e-commerce company, overseeing streaming services, content investment, Gaming business, Direct Carrier Billing, value added services and strategic partnership with global media partners.

  Daphne also serves as Chairperson of New Media & Entertainment Association (NMEA) and Board Director of Taiwan OTT Association, being an industry thought leader and a frequent speaker on Content & Digital Transformation.

  She has dedicated two decades of her career in the industry of digital domains, media and content business. Prior to Taiwan Mobile, she worked at Alibaba Group for five years, where she was heading Taobao International Business and spearheaded APAC Regional Business Development & Marketing for Alibaba.com. Her previous professional roles also include Director of Yahoo! eCommerce Group and Vice President of Internet Banking at Citibank Taiwan.

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Digital, Streaming, Experience: How Culture Interacts with the Technology Ecosystem

Date & Time: 2023/10/8 13:30-15:30

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Mashbean／Independent Researcher of FAB DAO

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

This forum is organized by TAICCA

Speaker:

• Mashbean

  Independent Researcher of FAB DAO

  Mashbean is a medical doctor turned web3 architect, currently working at the Ministry of Digital Affairs in Taiwan. He is both a researcher and practitioner of decentralized autonomous organization in the public and third sectors. Notably, he curated "Project %" for FABDAO and participated in the 2022 Ars Electronica Festival. With a deep appreciation for the spirit of Plurality, he is dedicated to finding a unique approach that deviates from the synthetic technocracy and corporate libertarianism.

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• Jay TSENG

  Director of Ultra Combos

  Co-founder and current Director of Ultra Combos. The studio is composed of adventurous professionals from various fields, and their works span from new media art to digital experience design. He curated 2020 DigiWave “CeilToInt();” and 2022 Design Expo in Kaohsiung “LOG-ING”

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• Escher TSAI

  Creative Director of Dimension Plus

  He devotes himself into digital art research, promotion and creation. He is the Creative Director of Dimension Plus, and Director of Arts and Technology: Creative Innovation and Counseling Project, and 5G Computing Art Project. He was Senior Consultant of the Preparatory Office of Technology Media Center (Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab), planner of many digital arts creation and center, host of Digital art exchange platform and “playaround workshop”, creative director of Microplayground.

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• James TENG

  Director of Giloo Group

  James TENG is a graduate of MIT's Media Arts and Sciences program. He currently leads Giloo Group with the mission to empower filmmakers to unlock the true potential of their creations. Giloo aims to cultivate a culture where everyone can actively engage in and shape the stories that matter most to them.

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Capturing and Generating: Emerging Technologies Behind Virtual Characters

Date & Time: 2023/10/8 16:30-18:30

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Grace LEE／Director of Content, Culture and Technology Department of Taiwan Creative Content Agency

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

This forum is organized by TAICCA

Speaker:

• Grace LEE

  Director of Content, Culture and Technology Department of Taiwan Creative Content Agency

  Grace is an award-winning film producer, she joined Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) in 2022 as director of the Content, Culture and Technology department. Before Grace joins TAICCA, she has been working in the XR field since 2018. Including co-producing VR content internationally, and programming XR section for Kaohsiung Film Festival.

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• Kun-Hsien LU

  Technical Director of IP Lab

  Kun-Hsien Lu is the Technical Director of IPLAB Virtual Studio. He also works in ICL of Industrial Technology Research Institute, specializing in intelligent video analysis technology and applications. In recent years, he has assisted Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) in helping domestic and foreign content producers to utilize 4DViews volumetric capture technology and equipment to produce dynamic 3D models, bringing real humans into the 3D virtual world.

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• Leeon CHEN

  Director of Mega Pictures

  Co-founder and current Director of Mega Picture - a group of young film makers dedicate to bring our creativity to the world. Always keep a fresh eye and open mind. Don’t be confused by the world as its will and representation. Explore the reality of things and matters. Only talk about true feelings and live in the moment.

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Jump out of the Earth! Can New Technology Liberate Us And Bring Us A New Kind of Freedom?

Date & Time: 2023/10/9 14:00-15:30

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Po-Wei WANG／Artistic Director of Digital Art Foundation

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

Speaker:

• Hsin-Chien HUANG

  Director, New Media Artist

  Hsin-Chien Huang is a prominent new media artist in Taiwan, currently holding the position of Distinguished Professor in the Department of Design at National Taiwan Normal University. Hsin-Chien Huang specializes in the creation of large-scale new media and immersive content that combines XR , interactive elements, performing arts, installation art, and kinetic machinery. His revolutionary VR works have garnered international attention and received acclaim and awards both nationally and internationally.

  One of his notable VR feature films, "La Camera Insabbiata," created in collaboration with American avant-garde music icon Laurie Anderson, won the "Best VR Experience Award" at the 74th Venice Film Festival. Another work titled "Bodyless" received the "Honorary Mention" at the 2020 Prix Ars Electronica and the highest honor, the "Golden Mask," at the New Images Festival in Paris. "Samsara" was awarded the top prize by the jury at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in Texas, USA, as well as the “Best VR Story” at the XR section of the Cannes Film Market in France. Furthermore, at 2022 Prix Ars Electronica, "Samsara" was honored with the "Computer Animation Honorary Mention" and "Jury Honorary Mention," showcasing its outstanding international recognition.

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Let’s Open the Anywhere Door: Case Study of Virtual Studio and Virtual Production

Date & Time: 2023/10/10 16:30-18:00

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Chien-Chang FENG／Artistic Director of FREES

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

Speaker: ※Simultaneous Interpreting

• Koji Matsunaga

  VFX Supervisor

  Joined NHK in 1990.

  Started working in CGVFX in 1997 after having worked in other fields such as photography.
  Mostly in charge of VFX for dramas and documentaries.
  Was the VFX director for the taiga drama “What Will You Do, Ieyasu?”

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• Yoshiyuki Ito

  NHK Media Technology Department Content Technology Center Expert

  Joined NHK in 2001.

  Has overseen the CG production for various programs such as NHK specials, taiga dramas, and election broadcasts since 2005.
  Leading the in-camera VFX team for the taiga drama “What Will You Do, Ieyasu?” as the senior technical director.

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• Chia-Chi LIN

  Founder of MoonShine Studio

  Chia-chi Lin, an engineer who serendipitously ventured into the world of animation, firmly believes that technology is the key to realizing dreams. His goal is to introduce innovation and breakthroughs to image production, thereby catalyzing a transformation in Taiwan’s post-production film and television industry. Committed to harnessing technology to unlock new realms of innovation, he established Moonshine Studio over a decade ago. While primarily focus on animation, their scope extends to encompass games, VR experiences, interactive technologies, projection, and cutting-edge film and television innovations. Chia-chi Lin is also spearheading projects such as “Moondream Reality,” an immersive theater experience; “4D REC” featuring high-resolution volumetric capture technology; and 5G circular live streaming technology.

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• Muh CHEN

  Founder of the Grass Jelly

  Muh Chen is a famous director of music videos and advertisements in Asia. He is known for his avant-garde visual editing, and strikingly beautiful style, warmth, and humanity in his work. Every year for the past ten years, he has been nominated in the best music video category at the Taiwan Golden Melody Award and has filmed almost every important Chinese musical artist and entertainer. His creativity and techniques are both bold and edgy. His creative process is typical and traditional, but his work has met with atypical success.

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How Technology Creates More Energy and Future Possibilities for Festivals

Date & Time: 2023/10/14 10:00-12:00

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Ya-Ling HUANG／Professor of the Department of Visual Communication Design, YunTech

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

Speaker: ※Simultaneous Interpreting

• Maurice Jones

  MUTEK Forum Co-programmer and Future Festival Lead

  Maurice is a curator, producer, and critical AI researcher based in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, Canada. He's a PhD student at Concordia University, Montréal, under Dr. Fenwick McKelvey, where he investigates cross-cultural perceptions of AI, public participation in technology governance, and festivals as sites of meaning-making.

  Maurice leads MUTEK’s Future Festivals think tank and curates the AI-related programming at the professional MUTEK Forum. From 2016 to 2023, he was the Artistic Director of MUTEK.JP festival of electronic music and digital arts in Tokyo.

  Maurice also produces audiovisual works including the Iwakura full-dome show together with visual artist Ali M. Demirel and ambient musician Kazuya Nagaya and the AI-driven multichannel sound installation Soundscapes of an Earthly Community.

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• Jay KIM

  XR Curator of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN)

  Jay Kim, the XR curator of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), introduced Virtual Reality (VR) content at BIFAN in 2016 for the first time among Korean film festivals and has been in charge of BIFAN's XR section program for seven years so far. Also, he newly established the BIFAN Beyond Reality section in 2019 and has introduced a variety of new media content to the audience.

  Also Jay produced many XR projects since he jumped into this industry from the filmmaking business in 2016, and his projects were invited to multiple international film festivals like Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW and IDFA and so on. Jay founded Gii%ii studio in 2020 and is currently focusing on expanding the new media content ecosystem in South Korea.

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• Martin Honzik

  CCO (Chief Curatorial Officer) and Managing Director of Ars Electronica Festival, Prix, and Exhibitions; Linz, Austria

  Martin Honzik is an artist, CCO (Chief Curatorial Officer) and Managing Director of the Ars Electronica’s Festival, Prix and Exhibitions. He studied visual experimental design at Linz Art University (graduated in 2001) and completed the master’s program in culture & media management at the University of Linz and ICCM Salzburg (graduated in 2003). Besides being an independent Artist in several art projects, he joined the staff of the Ars Electronica Future Lab as a researcher, in 2001, where, until 2005, his responsibilities included exhibition design, art in architecture, interface design, event design and project management. Since 2006, Martin Honzik has been Managing Director of the Ars Electronica Festival, the Prix Ars Electronica, the Exhibitions in the Ars Electronica Center and Ars Electronica Export. He has been curating a considerable amount of international Exhibitions in the context of Art, Science and Technology. Additionally, he became CCO (Chief-Curatorial-Officer) of Ars Electronica Festival, Prix, and Exhibitions in 2021.

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• Kun-Ying LIN

  Co-founder of Luxury Logical and Creative Director at Luxury Logico Co.

  As a cross-disciplinary artist, cultural director, and creative planner, Kun-ying Lin focuses on the discourse of contemporary issues, operations of creative organizations, connections within the art industry, and direction of technology performance. He actively engages in various cross-disciplinary presentations that promote social collaboration. Luxury Logico was awarded the Presidential Culture Awards in 2019.

  He has previously served as the director for the opening cultural program and the torch installation artist for the 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade, the director of the sound and light show “The Sound of Blooming” at the 2018 Taichung World Floral Exposition, the director for the “Performance Extravaganza” at the 2019 Tainan Arts Festival, the artistic director for the Taipei Nuit Blanche event from 2020 to 2022, and the chief curator for the 2021-2022 Creative Expo Taiwan.

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In the Era of AI, Does “Human-centered” AI Really Exist?

Date & Time: 2023/10/14 14:00-15:00

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Li SU／Associate Research Fellow/Professor of the Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

Speaker:

• Ethan TU

  Founder of PTT, Founder of Taiwan AI Labs, President of Taiwan AI Federated Learning Alliance

  Ethan Tu is most well-known as the founder of PTT, Taiwan’s largest and most popular online bulletin board system. In the US, he worked at the National Institute of Health (NIH) to develop cancer detection systems and human genetic research. He also worked as Microsoft’s Director of Research and Development for AI in the Asia-Pacific Region for 11 years, and was a key figure in development of Microsoft’s Cortana.

  In 2017, Ethan founded Taiwan AI Labs, Asia’s first open AI research organization specializing in next-generation AI solutions. AI Labs has shown significant results in medical AI/imaging applications, which contributed to the detection of Covid-19 from chest x-rays during the pandemic. He also started The Taiwan AI Federated Learning Alliance to encourage the pooling of data samples for better AI advancement while protecting privacy rights. Ethan also leads teams to develop AI solutions for drones, Smart Cities, speech and facial recognition, and the fighting of fake news.

  Building people-oriented AI technologies for everyday life has been Ethan’s biggest faith and focus, which explains AI Labs’ mission: “Innovate AI in Taiwan and for The World, bring technology to meet nature and humanity, and create impacts and improvements for human well-being. “

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Can New Immersive Technology Bring Us Genuine Empathy?

Date & Time: 2023/10/15 10:00-12:00

Location: TESL Kaohsiung eSports Arena

Presenter: Stephanie SU／Independent filmmakers, Former Taipei Film Festival XR Programmer

Reservation: Free Online Reservation

Speaker: ※Simultaneous Interpreting

• Amy Seidenwurm

  Founder of ANTLER, Former Executive Producer of Meta’s VR for Good initiative

  Acclaimed global innovator and tech leader, was the Executive Producer of Meta's VR for Good initiative (2016-2023). She had participated in impactful VR experiences, garnering awards and selections at 50+ festivals and social events, including Sundance, SXSW, and Venice Film Festival. Notably, she curated VR projects for the Nobel Peace Museum and UN General Assembly. Formerly, Amy managed digital ventures for LA Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl, producing VAN Beethoven—a VR tour bringing classical music to underserved LA art communities. Beyond work, she enjoys beekeeping and jalapeño, she is also a licensed pyrotechnician.

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• Singing CHEN

  Director of “The Man Who Couldn't Leave”

  Singing CHEN's work encompasses fiction, documentary and VR films and has received numerous festival accolades. Her debut Bundled (2000) competed at Vancouver and God, Man, Dog (2007) screened at Berlinale, VIFF, HK, Busan and elsewhere. Chen's documentaries detail artistic practice and the environment. Through VR technology she explores space and movement. Afterimage for Tomorrow (2018) was exhibited at the NewImage Festival. Her latest VR experience The Man Who Couldn't Leave (2022) won Venice Immersive Best Experience at 79th Venice International Film Festival. Chen's collective work is marked by a deep empathy for disenfranchised characters and a strong sense of social justice. Chen’s new project The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up has been selected for the 2023 Venice Gap-Financing Market, and she will also serve as the President of the Jury for the Venice Immersive Competition.

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