The Taipei Film Festival 台北電影節 is a film festival promoted by the city of Taipei, Taiwan, the Republic of China, through the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs. It was first held in 1998.[1] Chaired by director Hou Hsiao-hsien, Taipei Film Festival is the only festival in Taiwan that offers a New Talent Competition for aspiring directors from around the world and a Taipei Award competition for Taiwanese filmmakers. The Festival screens around 200 films from more than 30 countries worldwide. With approximately 100,000 attendants each year, Taipei Film Festival has become one of the most influential film festivals in the Chinese-speaking world. In 2010, the Taipei Film Festival celebrated its 12th edition from June 25 to July 15.