Taiwanese Feature ‘Uncle’ Wins Top Prize at Tokyo Gap-Financing Market Awards
Taiwanese filmmaker Yen Hao-hsuan’s debut feature, “Uncle”, won the Tokyo Project Award at the seventh Tokyo Gap-Financing Market. The film also received the Asian Gen-Z Award, drawing recognition for a story about family, disability and the social prejudices surrounding it.
Set in rural Taiwan from 1997 to 2000, “Uncle” follows a boy whose affection for his uncle, who has an intellectual disability, turns to shame as he grows older and leaves home. The story draws on Yen’s 18 years living with his uncle; the project was selected for a market of 24 films and had its first Asian market presentation in Busan. The Asian Gen-Z Award carries JPY500,000, about $3,300, while other awards went to “Wild Zero Overdrive” for post-production services worth $25,000 and “Nature Boy” for sound design valued at up to $10,000.
In short
- “Uncle” won Tokyo’s top gap-financing prize and the Asian Gen-Z Award.
- Yen’s debut draws on 18 years living with his uncle.
- “Wild Zero Overdrive” and “Nature Boy” also received awards.
Explained simply
The Tokyo Gap-Financing Market is part of the Tokyo International Film Festival, where filmmakers present projects seeking money and industry support to complete them. Its awards recognise projects at different stages, and may include cash or services such as post-production and sound design.
“Uncle” is the debut feature by Taiwanese filmmaker Yen Hao-hsuan. Set in rural Taiwan in the late 1990s, it draws on Yen’s experience of living with his uncle, who has an intellectual disability, and explores how a boy’s feelings towards him change as he grows up.
The film’s subject touches on family relationships and how people with disabilities are treated by those around them. Recognition at an international film market can help a project gain attention and support as it moves towards production.