The Taiwanese Film Festival returns for a second run from Friday to Sunday (June 20 to 22). This year’s edition has moved from last year’s Norm Theatre at UBC to the more deluxe setting at the Vancouver International Film Centre (1181 Seymour Street).

The need for this festival arises from Taiwanese directors feeling “orphaned” when they hit the film-fest circuit, Ivy Mao, a member of the TWFF team, noted by phone.

“We have really talented directors, and we want to help push that forward,” she said. Mao explained that festivals tend to lump films by Taiwanese directors in with films from China. “China doesn’t even support us!” she exclaimed.

This year’s theme focuses on youth and the challenges and triumphs that come with it. The six films being shown this weekend have been influenced by Taiwan’s rapidly changing history, with topics ranging from child labourers during the Japanese occupation of the Second World War (Shonenko) to a cycling trip around the country taken by a student with a hearing disorder (Island Etude). For more information, visit www.ipixels.net/twff/ .