Taiwan's Ministry of Culture announced on August 18 that A Foggy Tale, directed by Chen Yu-Hsun, will represent the island at the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
The film was chosen from seven domestic submissions by a selection panel administered by Taiwan's Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development. The committee voted by majority, citing the film's "vivid characters and fluid narrative" and its ability to portray a pivotal era in Taiwan's history "through the lens of ordinary people, with universal resonance."
Chen Yu-Hsun Frames White Terror Through Grassroots Eyes
A Foggy Tale — 大濛 in Chinese, literally "great fog" — uses its title as a metaphor for the fear and uncertainty of 1950s Taiwan under the White Terror, a decades-long period of authoritarian rule and political persecution. Director Chen, known for weaving dark humor into compassionate storytelling, centers the film on ordinary people caught in history's undertow rather than those who shaped it.
The film stars Caitlin Fang and Will Chi Wang, with special appearances by Tseng Jing-Hua, Lily Pan, and Vivian Sung. It is produced by Yeh Jufeng and Lee Lieh under the MandarinVision banner.
Golden Horse Wins and Global Festivals Anchor the Film's Credentials
A Foggy Tale arrived at the Oscar race already heavily decorated. At the 62nd Golden Horse Awards — the most prestigious honors in Chinese-language cinema — it swept four prizes: Best Feature Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design. The 28th Taipei Film Awards in 2026 added five more, including Best Narrative Feature and Best Screenplay, from 13 nominations. Internationally, the film competed at Italy's Udine Far East Film Festival and screened at festivals in Hong Kong, San Diego, and Singapore, while posting strong streaming numbers globally.
Record Domestic Box Office Backs Taiwan's Global Push
The Oscar bid reflects a confident moment for Taiwan's film industry. Five domestic productions surpassed NT$100 million at the box office between 2025 and early 2026. As of July 2026, cumulative domestic revenue stood at NT$1.192 billion with over 4.4 million admissions — already exceeding all of 2025. The Ministry of Culture is reinforcing that momentum through its "Great Navigation Plan," which prioritizes international co-productions and cross-border talent exchange to raise Taiwan's profile on the global film stage. （Related： Opinion | Hidden Threats to National Security: Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity ｜ Latest ）
