Hosted biennially by the International Documentary Association (IDA), Getting Real is one of the world’s leading gatherings for documentary professionals, bringing together filmmakers, producers, festival programmers, and cultural organizations to exchange ideas on documentary storytelling, industry trends, and social impact. As part of this international gathering, CNEX, Giloo, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles (TECO-LA) collaborated to present three official sessions while actively participating in the conference’s broader program of discussions and networking events, sharing Taiwan’s documentary experiences and strengthening connections with the global documentary community.
One of the highlights was The Grey Between: Screening of Island in Between + Colour Ideology Sampling.mov, featuring two acclaimed documentary shorts: Island in Between by S. Leo Chiang and Color Ideology Sampling.mov by Chan Cheuk-sze and Kathy Wong. Through different historical and political contexts, the two films explore questions of borders, identity, and belonging, inviting audiences to reflect on the complexities that exist between seemingly fixed boundaries. The screening was attended by Director-General Poyuan Ma and Mrs. Yahsiu Yang of TECO-LA, followed by an engaging Q&A in which audiences from diverse backgrounds raised thoughtful questions on geopolitics, filmmaking, and cultural identity.
Representatives from CNEX, Giloo, and Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles with Island in Between director S. Leo Chiang and Colour Ideology Sampling.mov directors Chan Cheuk-sze and Kathy Wong. (Photos courtesy of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles.)
Director-General Poyuan Ma of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles welcomed the audience before the screening. (Photos courtesy of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles.)
The post-screening Q&A sparked lively discussions with the audience. (Photos courtesy of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles.)
Beyond the screening, two panel discussions showcased Taiwan’s evolving documentary landscape from complementary perspectives. In From Island to Hub: Taiwan’s Evolving Documentary Ecosystem and the Making of an Asian Documentary Catalyst, CNEX traced Taiwan’s development into a vibrant documentary hub, highlighting two decades of initiatives including CCDF, Taiwan Matters, documentary productions, and the upcoming Doc Academy. Meanwhile, Giloo’s Beyond Festivals and Streamers: How Films Find Audiences, Unlock Values, and Drive Impact explored emerging models of documentary distribution and impact, sharing Taiwan’s experience in connecting films with audiences through education, community engagement, and innovative outreach strategies.
CNEX Chairperson Ben Tsiang and director Yulan Chang introduced CNEX and Taiwan’s documentary funding resources. (Photos courtesy of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles.)
CNEX Chairperson Ben Tsiang and director Yulan Chang shared insights into Taiwan’s documentary ecosystem. (Photos courtesy of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles.)
Giloo Marketing Director Ruru Shih introduced the Giloo platform and its offline public engagement initiatives. (Photos courtesy of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles.)
Giloo Director Chao-Min Teng presented AI tools developed by Giloo to support documentary filmmakers and creators. (Photos courtesy of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles.)
CNEX Chairperson Hsien-Pin Chiang and the Giloo team responded to questions from the audience. (Photos courtesy of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles.)
Throughout Getting Real, creators, organizations, and industry professionals engaged in conversations across sessions, screenings, and informal exchanges, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines the documentary community. For the Taiwan delegation, the conference was an opportunity to share its work, strengthen international connections, and foster future collaborations.
