On the evening of June 24, the 27th Taipei Film Festival held its International New Directors Competition Award Ceremony, where Jury President Mag Hsu and four jurors unveiled the four major awards. Lithuania’s Drowning Dry took home the Grand Prize and a cash award of USD 10,000. Two Times João Liberada was honored with the Jury’s Special Prize and received USD 5,000. Meanwhile, Empire of the Rabbits received the Taiwan Directors Guild Award, and the Taiwanese film Family Matters won the Audience Choice Award.

As one of the festival’s two major competitive sections, the International New Directors Competition concluded with a grand ceremony hosted by Huang Xiang-ting. In his speech, Taipei Film Festival Chair Liao Ching-Song remarked that this year’s selection of finalists spanned across Europe and Asia, with filmmakers transforming personal life experiences into diverse cinematic expressions. “We’re delighted that the Taipei Film Festival continues to be a hub for creative energy and international exchange,” he said. “We look forward to seeing these directors’ future works take shape and flourish.”

This year’s jury featured a distinguished lineup of film professionals from Taiwan and abroad. Golden Bell–winning screenwriter Mag Hsu served as jury president, joined by two-time Golden Horse nominee Mason Lee, Berlin International Film Festival selector Jessica Kiang, Philippine producer Bianca Balbuena—known for producing Viet and Nam, which was selected for Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight—and Japanese director Daishi Matsunaga, whose debut feature was invited to the Jeonju International Film Festival. Together, they selected the Grand Prize and Jury’s Special Prize recipients.

The Taiwan Directors Guild Award, established in collaboration with the Republic of China Film Directors Guild, was judged by three directors with distinct styles: Gilles Yang, who won Best Narrative Feature at the Golden Horse Awards with The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful; Fen Fen Cheng, who rose to prominence with Hear Me and sparked public discussion on labor rights with Workers; and Liao Shih Han, director of the hit Taiwanese horror franchise The Rope Curse.

This year’s Grand Prize went to Drowning Dry. The jury praised the film as a masterfully orchestrated magic trick that deftly misdirects the audience’s attention. Even with full concentration and a desire to uncover its mysteries, one remains entranced by its deceptive yet elegant storytelling. Director Laurynas Bareiša shared his impressions of walking through the streets of Taipei: “To me, filmmaking is about sharing life experiences. Traveling opens your mind and helps you break through established frames and narratives. I love traveling, I love Taiwan—thank you all.”

The Jury Special Prize was awarded to Two Times João Liberada. The jury praised the director for demonstrating a distinctive voice and creative freedom in her debut feature, using a language that is both sharp and sincere to explore issues of identity, while boldly breaking away from existing frameworks.Director Paula Tomás Marques remarked that in her home country of Portugal, far-right groups frequently target queer people, people of African descent, and immigrants. “Cinema may not be able to save lives,” she said, “but I believe that through creating and screening films, we can inspire those around us to reflect—and slowly accumulate the power to change. That is the reason I make films.”

Empire of the Rabbits received the Taiwan Directors Guild Award. The jury praised the director’s heartfelt perspective in portraying a harsh world through the eyes of a young boy. With refined cinematography and emotional subtlety, the film succeeds in the challenging task of using animals as story agents, ultimately delivering a work that is both genuine and moving.

Finally, the Taiwanese feature Family Matters was awarded the Audience Choice Award. Its Taipei premiere deeply resonated with audiences, touching hearts and moving many to tears. The film’s popularity and acclaim both surged following the screening. Director Pan Ke-yin, who has worked as a film editor for a decade, described the transition to directing as a leap of courage. He expressed heartfelt thanks to his creative team and the audience, saying: “Being able to convey my observations and emotional connection through a story, and having that reach people, is the reason I tell stories. This award is an enormous affirmation for me.”