2025 Taipei Film Awards Winners Announced Documentary Island of the Winds Wins Grand Prize Wanlop Rungkumjad Becomes First Non-Taiwanese to Win Best Actor at Taipei Film Awards Alexia Kao Named Best Actress for Family Matters
2025.07.05
The 27th Taipei Film Awards Ceremony took place on the evening of July 5 at the Zhongshan Hall in Taipei City. The highly anticipated Grand Prize, with a cash award of NT$1 million, was awarded to the documentary Island of the Winds. The jury praised the film as more than just a documentary—calling it a cinematic memory of Taiwan’s land.
Wanlop Rungkumjad won Best Actor for his performance in Mongrel, making history as the first non-Taiwanese recipient of this award. The film won three awards in total, tying as the biggest winner of the night alongside Yen and Ai-Lee, Island of the Winds, and Dead Talents Society. Alexia Kao received the Best Actress award for her powerful portrayal in Family Matters, marking her first win at the Taipei Film Awards.
The jury selected one winner from each major category—Narrative Feature, Documentary, Short Film, and Animation—then chose the Grand Prize winner from among them. Island of the Winds not only claimed Best Documentary but also secured the festival's top honor. Best Narrative Feature went to Yen and Ai-Lee, while Side A: A Summer Day and Rocked by the Wind took home Best Short Film and Best Animation, respectively.
Wanlop Rungkumjad, who was previously nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Horse Awards for the same role, impressed the jury with his deeply compassionate and powerful performance. Despite the character's minimal dialogue, he conveyed kindness and humanity, making the audience believe in the character’s gentle spirit. In the film, he portrays an undocumented Thai caregiver in Taiwan and remarked, "Taiwanese cinema has always accompanied me through life. It's because of Taiwanese films that I stand here today. No matter how difficult things get, I hope we all keep going."
Veteran actress Alexia Kao, who started her career in commercials and modeling 30 years ago, has in recent years returned to her passion for acting. Her nuanced performance in Family Matters captured the repressed emotional world of a traditional Taiwanese mother, earning her the Best Actress title. In her acceptance speech, she expressed gratitude to mothers and mother figures everywhere: “Thank you for your sacrifices and devotion to family. Thank you to everyone who’s shown me the warmth of maternal love.”
Lee Kang-sheng won Best Supporting Actor for Stranger Eyes. The jury highlighted his subtle facial expressions and strong presence. Lee expressed hope that the award would bring him good fortune and thanked the jury, the crew, and director Yeo Siew-hua.
Best Supporting Actress went to Yang Kuei-mei for Yen and Ai-Lee. The jury praised her mesmerizing performance and emotional depth. After previously winning Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Horse Awards for the same role, Yang was delighted to be honored again: “Thank you for seeing Yang Kuei-mei through Ai-Lee. I’m grateful to director Tom Lin for giving me this unique character—she may be strange, but I love her.”
Newcomer Alisia Liang received the Best New Talent award for her performance in The Chronicles of Libidoists.
The 2025 Taipei Film Festival’s Outstanding Contribution Award was presented by previous winner Huang Chien-yeh to veteran film critic Chang Chang-yen. In a heartfelt speech, Chang said, “Film is all I have in life. I’m thrilled to see so many people passionate about cinema. Doing what you love is the best thing, and this award belongs to everyone who loves film.”
Wanlop Rungkumjad won Best Actor for his performance in Mongrel, making history as the first non-Taiwanese recipient of this award. The film won three awards in total, tying as the biggest winner of the night alongside Yen and Ai-Lee, Island of the Winds, and Dead Talents Society. Alexia Kao received the Best Actress award for her powerful portrayal in Family Matters, marking her first win at the Taipei Film Awards.
The jury selected one winner from each major category—Narrative Feature, Documentary, Short Film, and Animation—then chose the Grand Prize winner from among them. Island of the Winds not only claimed Best Documentary but also secured the festival's top honor. Best Narrative Feature went to Yen and Ai-Lee, while Side A: A Summer Day and Rocked by the Wind took home Best Short Film and Best Animation, respectively.
Wanlop Rungkumjad, who was previously nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Horse Awards for the same role, impressed the jury with his deeply compassionate and powerful performance. Despite the character's minimal dialogue, he conveyed kindness and humanity, making the audience believe in the character’s gentle spirit. In the film, he portrays an undocumented Thai caregiver in Taiwan and remarked, "Taiwanese cinema has always accompanied me through life. It's because of Taiwanese films that I stand here today. No matter how difficult things get, I hope we all keep going."
Veteran actress Alexia Kao, who started her career in commercials and modeling 30 years ago, has in recent years returned to her passion for acting. Her nuanced performance in Family Matters captured the repressed emotional world of a traditional Taiwanese mother, earning her the Best Actress title. In her acceptance speech, she expressed gratitude to mothers and mother figures everywhere: “Thank you for your sacrifices and devotion to family. Thank you to everyone who’s shown me the warmth of maternal love.”
Lee Kang-sheng won Best Supporting Actor for Stranger Eyes. The jury highlighted his subtle facial expressions and strong presence. Lee expressed hope that the award would bring him good fortune and thanked the jury, the crew, and director Yeo Siew-hua.
Best Supporting Actress went to Yang Kuei-mei for Yen and Ai-Lee. The jury praised her mesmerizing performance and emotional depth. After previously winning Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Horse Awards for the same role, Yang was delighted to be honored again: “Thank you for seeing Yang Kuei-mei through Ai-Lee. I’m grateful to director Tom Lin for giving me this unique character—she may be strange, but I love her.”
Newcomer Alisia Liang received the Best New Talent award for her performance in The Chronicles of Libidoists.
The 2025 Taipei Film Festival’s Outstanding Contribution Award was presented by previous winner Huang Chien-yeh to veteran film critic Chang Chang-yen. In a heartfelt speech, Chang said, “Film is all I have in life. I’m thrilled to see so many people passionate about cinema. Doing what you love is the best thing, and this award belongs to everyone who loves film.”