Taiwan media content, tech companies showcase innovations at SXSW

2019/03/12

Taiwan media content and technology companies are showcasing their latest innovations at the South by Southwest festival running March 8-17 in Austin, Texas, under a government initiative aimed at promoting the nation’s startup and creative sectors overseas.
 
 The Taiwan Pavilion at the SXSW trade show is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Small and Medium Enterprise Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs. It features four firms: blockchain service providers Baypay and Cartesi, virtual reality production company iStaging and advertising outfit Ucfunnel.
 
 A Taiwan delegation of cultural promotion officials led by MOC Deputy Minister Ting Hsiao-ching is also attending the festival to hold discussions with Austin Mayor Steve Adler, event organizers and major industries players.
 
 According to the MOC, Taiwan has the creativity and software and hardware expertise to become a leading content creation hub in emerging fields. This is evinced by the inclusion of three Taiwan VR movies in this year’s Virtual Cinema exhibition at SXSW.
 
 The entries are Taiwan-France co-productions “Gloomy Eyes” and “The Android” as well as “The Making Of,” a work by director Midi Zhao under the “5X1” project.
 
 Comprising five VR short films, “5X1” is the result of a collaboration between Taiwan-based tech firm HTC Corp., creator of the Vive headset, and Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival Executive Committee.
 
 According to the MOC, the impending rollout of fifth-generation, or 5G, technology will create abundant opportunities in new media sectors. Participant in high-profile events like SXSW can help build Taiwan’s brand in this sphere and foster lasting partnerships between local startups and overseas firms.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)