Sabu’s ‘Arrested Memory’ Tops Golden Horse Awards Nominations

Sabu’s film “Arrested Memory” has emerged as the frontrunner for the 63rd Golden Horse Awards, securing 11 nominations. Shu Qi’s directorial debut, “Girl,” follows closely behind with 10 nominations, setting the stage for a competitive awards season in Taiwan.

Joseph Hsu Chen-chieh’s “Double Happiness” and Yeung Leung-chuen’s “We Are Born Good” each received nine nominations, rounding out the top four contenders for best narrative feature. All four films are also vying for best film editing and have candidates in either the best director or best new director categories. Anthony Chen’s “We Are All Strangers” secured the fifth spot for best narrative feature.

In the directing categories, Sabu, Hsu, and Chen compete alongside Herman Yau for “We’re Nothing at All” and Edmund Yeo for “The Age of Goodbyes.” The best new director race features Shu Qi, Yeung Leung-chuen, Priscilla Ang Geck-geck (“Ah Girl”), Shieh Meng-ju (“Mudborn”), and Michelle Zhou (“Big Little Things”). Ethan Juan earned a best leading actor nomination for his performance in “Arrested Memory,” facing competition from Leon Dai (“Kung Fu”), Liu Kuan-ting (“Double Happiness”), Yeung Wai-lun (“We Are Born Good”), and Jack Tan (“Dead Tide”). The best leading actress category includes Yeo Yann-yann, Angela Yuen, Jennifer Yu, Liang Cuishan, and Chung Suet-ying.

Organizers reviewed 587 entries for this year’s awards, comprising 92 narrative features, 60 feature documentaries, three animated features, 294 live-action shorts, 71 documentary shorts, and 67 animated shorts. The nominations were announced by Ma Shih-yuan and Jimmy Liu, both of whom won best new performer at last year’s ceremony.

Wen Tien-hsiang, CEO of the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival Executive Committee, named colorist Moya Chou as this year’s Outstanding Taiwanese Filmmaker of the Year. Chou brings nearly three decades of experience, working across the transition from celluloid to digital formats on titles such as “Us and Them,” “Dear Ex,” and “The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon.” Yu Kan-ping will receive the lifetime achievement award.

The Golden Horse Film Festival begins on November 6, showcasing all nominated films. The awards ceremony will take place on November 22 at the Taipei Music Center, marking a shift to a Sunday date starting with this edition. Broadcasting rights include TTV in Taiwan, MyVideo by Taiwan Mobile for exclusive live streaming, StarHub in Singapore, and Astro in Malaysia. International viewers can stream the event via the festival’s YouTube channel.