The Taiwan Award was presented to No Island in the Sea, directed by Taiwanese filmmaker Zhi Xiang Wang. Set against the backdrop of cross-strait family separation, the film captures a child’s perspective on distance, longing, and the uncertainty of waiting. The Best TV/Web Program award went to Welcome to My Farm, a Golden Bell Award-winning production that explores Taiwan’s local farming and animal care through a child’s point of view, highlighting the connection between people, animals, and the land.
Anne Dreesen, head of fiction/Content manager for Ketnet at VRT and one of the international jurors, remarked that creators of children’s media have a profound and lasting impact on young audiences. She encouraged filmmakers not to underestimate the importance of their work, noting that quality films and programs play a vital role in children’s development and help them understand important aspects of life.
In the International Competition, the Best Dramatic Feature award went to the Indian film Pukam Pukai, which tells the story of three children who dream of building a swimming pool, transcending social divides while conveying friendship and hope. The Best Dramatic Short was awarded to the Australian film Luna and the Brain Tuna, in which a father uses the metaphor of a fish to explain his brain tumor to his daughter, helping her understand surgery and treatment through a child-friendly perspective while expressing their complex emotions with great sensitivity.
The Best Animated Feature award went to My Life in Versailles, previously selected by the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The film portrays the evolving relationship between Violette and her distant uncle, as she learns to process anger and grief after losing her parents and gradually rebuild a sense of family. The Best Animated Short was awarded to Lola and the Sound Piano, a story about sibling bonds in which Lola uses a self-made sound machine to open her brother’s heart.
This year, the festival also partnered for the first time with the New Taipei City Art Museum Exploration Base to launch the “NTCAM Fun Film Program.” Reflecting the museum’s commitment to creative experimentation and sustainability, and inspired by the rich natural environment of the museum park, the program features ten curated sections focusing on environmental sustainability, arts and culture, and life education. In addition to selected short films from past editions of TICFF, the program also showcases works from the festival’s long-running “Little Directors, Big Dreams Workshop.” The immersive and vibrant exhibition space creates a relaxed and engaging atmosphere for families, encouraging audiences to explore diverse cultures and values, spark creativity and imagination, and discover new perspectives. The exhibition runs through April 26.
For more information on the International Competition winners and jury of the 2026 Taiwan International Children’s Film Festival, please visit: https://www.ticff.org.tw/en/Nominees2026/2026Finallists
International Competition Winners｜2026 Taiwan International Children’s Film Festival
Taiwan Award: No Island in the Sea2024, Taiwan, 25 min
Director: Zhi Xiang Wang
Best TV/Web Program: Welcome to My Farm
2024, Taiwan, 24 min
Director: Yu Fen Wu
Best Dramatic Feature: Pukam Pukai
2025, India, 108 min
Director: Abhay Punjabi
Best Dramatic Short: Luna and the Brain Tuna
2024, Australia, 12 min
Director: Aaron Lucas
Best Animated Feature: My Life in Versailles
2025, France, Luxembourg, 82 min
Directors: Clémence Madeleine-Perdrillat, Nathaniel H’limi
Best Animated Short: Lola and the Sound Piano
2024, France, 28 min
Director: Augusto Zanovello
Special Jury Award: NAWI: Dear Future Me
2024, Germany, Kenya, 105 min
Directors: Kevin Schmutzler, Toby Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine Munyes, Vallentine Chelluget
Audience Award: The Songbird’s Secret
2024, Belgium, France, Switzerland, 77 min
Director: Antoine Lanciaux
Congratulations to all the award-winning films and heartfelt thanks to every filmmaker who joined us at the festival.
