The Taiwan International Ethnographic Film Festival (TIEFF;) is the oldest and longest running international ethnographic film festival in Asia.[1] Founded in 2001 in collaboration with Academia Sinica, the biennial festival features new and classic works from ethnographic filmmakers around the world.
Each year the festival organizes around a central theme, curating a selection of films and organizing discussions that explore a specific aspect of human life. TIEFF also includes a “New Visions” category that showcases notable ethnographic films made within the past two years. While the selection process is highly competitive, the festival does not include a competition in the event, in order to present each film as equally valuable.[2]
TIEFF is organized by the Taiwan Association of Visual Ethnography (TAVE), a non-profit organization that works to raise public awareness around documentary and ethnographic films.[3] With this foundation, TIEFF serves as a forum for education, discussion, community building, and global exchange. The festival has also been a source of consistent support for indigenous cinema in Taiwan, promoting upcoming directors and introducing local works to international audiences.[4]
Each year the festival curates a selection of films around a specific topic.[5] Past themes include: