'Big Fog' Selected to Represent Taiwan in Oscars' Best International Feature Race

Taiwan's Ministry of Culture announced today (the 18th) that "Big Fog" has emerged from a field of seven domestic contenders this year to be selected as Taiwan's entry for the Best International Feature category at the 99th U.S. Academy Awards in 2027. The selection committee praised the film for portraying its era through a vivid and diverse everyman's perspective, capturing Taiwan's historical character while also conveying a universal sense of compassion.

The Ministry of Culture said that seven domestic films registered for this year's Oscar Best International Feature selection. Following lively discussion, the selection committee passed "Big Fog" as Taiwan's entry by majority vote. In their recommendation, the committee noted that "Big Fog" features "vivid characters and fluid storytelling, presenting its era through a lively and diverse everyman's perspective, reflecting on Taiwan's character while embracing universal concerns."

The title "Big Fog" alludes to a heavy mist, a metaphor for the historical atmosphere of 1950s Taiwan. Chen Yu-hsun approaches the history of the White Terror from an ordinary person's point of view, depicting the helplessness and kindness of small figures struggling to survive beneath the wheels of history. At the same time, he sustains his grassroots comedic style, portraying the joys, sorrows, and moral complexities of human nature.

"Big Fog" had already amassed an impressive record during the domestic awards season, winning four major prizes at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards — Best Feature Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction and Best Makeup and Costume Design. At this year's 28th Taipei Film Awards, it earned 13 nominations and ultimately took home five awards, including Best Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Original Film Song, Best Art Direction and Best Makeup and Costume Design.

Internationally, "Big Fog" was selected for the competition section of Italy's Udine Far East Film Festival, and was also chosen for the Hong Kong International Film Festival, the San Diego Asian Film Festival in the United States and the Singapore Chinese Film Festival. It also achieved strong chart results on international streaming platforms, and has now been selected to represent Taiwan at the Oscars.

The Ministry of Culture noted that Taiwan's democratic freedoms and diverse cultural environment continue to nurture creative energy in film and television. Even as global viewing habits shift, domestic films still set a record of "five films breaking the 100-million mark" between 2025 and early 2026. As of July this year, total domestic box office had reached NT$1.192 billion with cumulative admissions surpassing 4.4 million, exceeding last year's full-year totals.

To further expand the overseas market for Taiwanese cinema, the Ministry of Culture also launched the "Great Voyage Project" last year, aiming to upgrade Taiwan's film industry and take it global by expanding international co-financing and co-production and deepening cross-border exchanges of talent and technology. With this selection to represent Taiwan in the 99th Oscars' Best International Feature race, "Big Fog" will next face the subsequent challenge of the nomination rounds. (Editor: Shen Chen-chiang)

Source: Radio Taiwan International (Rti) — https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=226864