Showcasing first or second films by emerging directors, 

highlighting fresh talent in queer cinema.

Programmer’s Picks: <A Journey in Spring>, <They Are Siufung Law>, <Who'll Stop the Rain>

The New PRIDE section highlights notable emerging directors and their distinctive creative visions. Featuring first or second films, this section presents high-quality works that showcase outstanding new talent. In 2024, the New PRIDE section will feature several Asian premieres of acclaimed films by promising directors recognized at major international festivals.

 <A Journey in Spring>, directed by PENG Tzu-Hui and WANG Ping-Wen, tells the story of an elderly man facing profound change after the passing of his wife, on whom he has depended his entire life. As he attempts to move on and continue his seemingly peaceful life, his estranged son visits with a new partner, marking a new turning point. With its nuanced portrayal of human emotions, this Taiwanese film is sure to captivate audiences.

<They Are Siufung Law>, directed by Jean-Luc BONEFACINO, is a documentary about a professional bodybuilder, LGBTQ+ rights activist, and PhD student in Hong Kong who fights for the freedom and right to live authentically in the face of societal stereotypes and binaries. Spanning from Hong Kong to Atlanta, USA, the film follows the journey of this gender-fluid bodybuilder as they challenge deeply embedded social and cultural structures that have shaped Chinese and Latin American societies for centuries.

<Who'll Stop the Rain>, directed by SU Yi-Hsuan, is another standout in this section. Set in 1994 Taipei, Taiwan, shortly after martial law was lifted, the story follows three characters who meet by chance at a protest advocating for freedom of expression. As their bonds deepen, the protest evolves into a fight for the freedom to love. Against the turbulent backdrop of Taiwan’s democratization, the film meticulously portrays a tale of young love and the quest for freedom.

This year’s program also features a notable Korean queer film: <Wintering>, directed by JANG Jun-young. The story follows a woman in her mid-thirties who lives alone with her mother, exploring the new, female-centered family that three sisters—each with her own unique circumstances—aspire to create. The lead roles are played by actors JANG Sun and YANG Mal-bok.

With such a diverse selection of fresh and distinctive voices, New PRIDE is a must-see section for those interested in examining the current state of queer cinema.