Independent Era: Taiwan Shorts Restoration Projects 1997-2005

The late 20th century is often regarded as one of the lowest points in Taiwanese cinema. Yet in 1999, a group of young filmmakers boldly shot independent films on 16mm and organized their own event—the “Pure 16 Film Festival.” These works entered the market with a spirit of creative independence, injecting much-needed vitality into a long-dormant film industry. In doing so, they opened up an alternative path beyond the mainstream, igniting new hope for the next generation of Taiwanese cinema. Recognizing the fragility of film stock, the Kaohsiung Film Archive undertook the digitization and restoration of independent films produced between 1997 and 2005. Through this effort, these past classics are now reintroduced in renewed form, allowing their historical and artistic value to shine once again.