The surreal often emerges from everyday life. The rituals, urban legends, and folk beliefs in this selection may appear as distant as myths, yet they are deeply embedded in our daily experience, touching the most potent emotions and sense of awe within us. I have always believed that the surreal is not the strangeness of the external world, but an enlargement of what lies within. Between the mysterious and the mundane, the landscapes of Asia give rise to their own authentic and singular tales. These films move through the cracks between reality and myth, illuminating the subtle, ineffable connections between people and the world, between faith and the void.

The Korean Independent Animation Filmmakers Association (KIAFA) has established a distribution team called AniSEED, dedicated to protecting the rights of animation directors, safeguarding the copyrights of animated works, and actively advancing distribution and marketing efforts. The name "AniSEED" symbolizes the act of planting seeds, embodying a commitment to nurturing the boundless potential and vitality of independent animation. As KIAFA's distribution team for independent animation, AniSEED sets out on this journey with the goal of managing and preserving works while creating diverse screening opportunities. Guided by the philosophy of planting small seeds and patiently watching them grow, AniSEED is committed to cultivating a sustainable ecosystem for independent animation.

Sometimes, you’re drawn back to the scene by an unseen force—treading carefully, almost fearfully. The crime scenes where bloodstains have long been washed away, the streets where fervent slogans have faded, and the lives forever frozen in a single moment of history—all compel creators to pick up the pen, to lift the camera, and to tell their stories in countless ways. Rooted in reality, the act of creation becomes a delicate balance. Is it a faithful record, an excavation of truth? A transformation of reality? Or a search for meaning in the present? Imagination may run wild, but what is the thread that keeps pulling him back—again and again—to the real?

Collaborating with Giloo, Fresh Wave International Short Film Festival has created its own online streaming platform where the past short films will be launched in turn. This platform not only provides the audience with viewing the short films again but also strives for getting in touch with more people. The first-round released short films are those award-winning titles from international or local film festivals. There will be more features coming up. Please stay tuned with us!

Wherever you are, in Taiwan or abroad, you can watch with ease! Discover acclaimed films from the Cannes, Venice, and Golden Horse film festivals, plus a lineup of highly anticipated works from emerging filmmakers waiting for you to explore. Start watching anytime — no borders, no limits.