The 24th New York Asian Film Festival, organized in collaboration with the Taipei Cultural Center in New York, held a welcoming reception for the Taiwan film segment at the Lincoln Center Film Association on July 20th. Song Yunhua, the female lead of “The Home No One Knows,” producer Lai Yu Tong of “Love Sickness,” and veteran producer Huang Xiao Fen were in attendance. Song Yunhua was honored to receive the “Best from the East Award” at the festival.
According to the festival director, Samuel Jamier, the “Best from the East Award” is a relatively new award that recognizes outstanding contributions by Asian or Asian descent directors and actors. Previous winners of the award include Japanese actor Kento Yamazaki in 2024 and South Korean actress Lee Honey in 2023.
Song Yunhua expressed her gratitude for winning the award, stating that it was her first time introducing one of her films in New York. She thanked everyone for their support. “The Home No One Knows” is a Taiwanese-Korean co-production, adapted from the Spanish thriller “Julia’s Eyes.” Song Yunhua stars alongside Korean actor Lee Hong Nae from “The Divine Fury.” The story follows the son of a serial killer and his family as they escape to Taiwan, embarking on a cross-cultural encounter that transcends language barriers.
In addition to “Love Sickness,” the top-grossing film in Taiwan in 2025, being selected for the New York Asian Film Festival, producer Lai Yu Tong attended the welcoming reception at the festival. He mentioned that the film has been officially released in China, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Australia, and New Zealand, with plans for screenings in Korea and Vietnam in mid-August. The film is expected to be distributed in 10 countries globally, making it one of the most outstanding Taiwanese youth films exported overseas in recent years. Lai Yu Tong shared, “We initially just wanted to portray the purity and courage of youth authentically, but we never expected that this story would not only be seen in Taiwan but also resonate across cultures and languages worldwide. It’s truly touching.”
The 24th New York Asian Film Festival is taking place from now until July 28th. The “Taiwan Uncut” section features screenings of 10 feature films, including “On the Balcony,” “My Mother’s Village,” “Beautiful Vulture” (2K digital restoration), and “Remains,” showcasing the diverse cultural facets of Taiwan. Over 100 films from countries including Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan are participating in this year’s festival. For more information, please visit the festival’s official website at: https://www.nyaff.org/