TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Culture announced Thursday (Aug. 28) that "Left-Handed Girl" (左撇子女孩) will represent Taiwan at the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. Director Shih-Ching Tsou's (鄒時擎) poignant drama weaves together three generations of women against Taipei's bustling night market backdrop. The selection showcases Taiwan's distinctive local culture and storytelling prowess.
The Ministry of Culture praised the film's exploration of traditional patriarchal society, energetic pacing, and contemporary visual style. "Left-Handed Girl" follows a single mother and two daughters struggling to survive in Taipei's vibrant night markets. The family navigates urban challenges while searching for belonging and stability in their new environment.
"Left-Handed Girl" has earned significant international recognition across prestigious film festivals worldwide. The drama captured the Gan Foundation Award for Distribution and Rails d'Or at Cannes Film Festival's Critics' Week. Festival invitations poured in from Toronto International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, and Busan International Film Festival's main competition.
The film launches commercial screenings in French cities on Sept. 17, followed by Taiwan-wide theatrical release on Oct. 31. Netflix will stream "Left-Handed Girl" globally beginning Nov. 28. Taiwan's Ministry of Culture hopes the acclaimed drama will distinguish itself in Oscar competition, bringing international recognition to the island. ◼