The Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF) 2024 concluded with an awards ceremony that capped off four days of high-energy panels, international collaborations, and inspiring project pitches. This year’s TCCF was a resounding success, drawing over 10,000 visitors and providing a unique platform for Taiwanese and global creators to exchange ideas, form partnerships, and celebrate innovative storytelling. With a star-studded finale and record attendance, the TCCF 2024 showcased Taiwan’s presence in the global creative industry, signaling a bright future for Asian content on the international stage.
The awards ceremony highlighted the standout projects from TCCF’s PITCHING section, with the TAICCA X CNC Grand Prize awarded to Clouded Leopard, a work by Mangowork Studio Co., Ltd., which won a $30,000 USD price. This top honor celebrates outstanding storytelling and market potential, affirming TCCF’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking content. The TAICCA Award for Best Story went to Rest in Pieces by Balena Islet Publishing Inc., accompanied by a $10,000 USD prize, recognizing its compelling narrative and artistic vision.
This year’s lineup showcased diverse projects, capturing attention from both the jury and industry professionals. The jury added a Special Jury Award due to the outstanding range and quality of proposals, awarding $10,000 USD to The Alleyway, a collaboration between South Korea, Qatar, and Denmark. This new category underscores TCCF’s dedication to encouraging high-potential projects that unite cultural perspectives.
TAICCA Chairperson Homme Tsai praised the event’s international participation and professional excellence, adding that TCCF’s growing reputation is transforming Taiwan into a global creative hub. “We look forward to even more major international platforms and production companies participating in next year’s TCCF,” he stated, expressing his vision for deeper exchanges that could bring Taiwanese stories to audiences worldwide.
Diverse Storytelling Shines in PITCHING Section
TCCF’s PITCHING section garnered acclaim for its exceptional diversity and creativity. A wide range of Taiwanese and international projects earned accolades, underscoring Taiwan’s role as a leader in innovative storytelling. Notable winners included Taiwanese Folklore ‒ The Crown Prince and the Boys on the Railways, which received both the Video Original Story Award and the CTS Original IP Award, as well as Reborn as Grandma: There Must Be Something More Important Than Inheritance, which took home the GTV Best Originality Award and the SET TV NEXT STAR Award. The supernatural project Don’t Worry About Vampire won both the Taipei International Film Award and an invitation to the Asian Project Market at South Korea’s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, exemplifying the potential for these stories to resonate with international audiences.
TAICCA CEO Lu Jiun-Wei emphasized the diversity of this year’s proposals, noting that they received strong recognition from the international jury and signaling TCCF’s rise as a major Asian pitching event. With robust support from industry insiders and TAICCA’s ongoing commitment to cross-border partnerships, TCCF has cemented itself as a vital platform for Asia’s creative content sector.
Global Perspectives at TCCF FORUM
The TCCF FORUM sessions were another major highlight, offering thought-provoking discussions led by international experts and drawing over 1,000 attendees. Korean producer Nah Yung-suk, known for popularizing variety shows in South Korea, was a star attraction. His session, “Unveiling How South Korea’s Ace Producer Creates Globally Popular Entertainment Programs,” explored the secrets behind his global hits and offered industry attendees a glimpse into South Korea’s entertainment strategies. The enthusiastic response reflected the shared passion for content that transcends cultural boundaries.
Additionally, a session titled “Crafting Fear: The Possibilities of Horror Film Themes” brought together horror experts from across Asia, including Thai director Banjong Pisanthanakun, Japanese producer Taka Ichise, and Taiwanese director Lester Hsi. The panel discussed the appeal of horror narratives and their ability to reach audiences worldwide, showing how Asian horror has become a powerful cultural export.
TCCF also featured an exciting exploration of international and intercultural collaboration, exemplified by a presentation from Chalermchatri Yukol, head of Thailand’s Film and Series Subcommittee. Yukol shared plans to launch the Thailand Creative Content Agency (THACCA), inspired by Taiwan and other countries, to elevate Thailand’s cultural exports. This spirit of collaboration resonated throughout the event, with speakers like Pascal Breton of Federation Studios noting the similarities between Taiwan and France in their commitment to storytelling and IP development.
Cross-Cultural Adaptations and New Horizons in Global Media
The TCCF 2024 also spotlighted cross-cultural adaptations, notably with insights on adapting the popular BL manga Cherry Magic for television. Japanese director Kazama Hiroki, producer Homma Kanami, and Thai adaptation director Nuttapong Mongkolsawas discussed the challenges of translating Japanese manga for a global audience. Their discussion highlighted the unique demands of different markets and celebrated the universal appeal of heartfelt narratives, a theme that ran throughout the event.
In the “Shaping New Horizons in Variety Shows” panel, Korean executives from Something Special and Munhwa Broadcasting Company shared strategies for adapting Korean content to international tastes. By integrating diverse elements and repackaging Korean shows for global audiences, they demonstrated how TCCF serves as an incubator for content that bridges cultural gaps and captures hearts worldwide.
The TCCF’s commitment to showcasing original and diverse stories resonated deeply with audiences, proving Taiwan’s value as a creative nexus. As Homme Tsai and Lu Jiun-Wei reiterated, the success of TCCF 2024 bodes well for Taiwan’s role in the international creative content industry. They pledged ongoing support for creative professionals and a continued focus on building cross-border partnerships, promising an even larger and more impactful TCCF in 2025.
