Left-Handed Girl Chosen as Taiwan’s Oscar Hopeful
Tsou Shih-ching’s Cannes-winning drama, co-written with Sean Baker, will represent Taiwan in the race for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards.
Taiwan Taps Left-Handed Girl for the 2025 Oscars
Taiwan has officially selected Left-Handed Girl as its entry for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards. Directed by Tsou Shih-ching and co-written with American filmmaker Sean Baker (Red Rocket, The Florida Project), the film has already garnered critical acclaim on the global festival circuit and is emerging as a strong awards contender.
Set in the atmospheric night markets of Taipei, Left-Handed Girl tells the story of a single mother and her two daughters as they navigate identity, family bonds, and urban alienation in a rapidly changing city. The film stars Janel Tsai, Ma Shih-yuan, Nina Ye, Brando Huang, Akio Chen, and Chao Xin-yan.
The film was selected by Taiwan’s Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development (BAMID), which praised its fresh take on Taiwanese society, particularly its nuanced depiction of generational divides and the role of women in a still deeply patriarchal system. Its sharp, contemporary visual style and emotional resonance helped solidify its candidacy.
From Cannes to the Oscars
Left-Handed Girl made its international debut at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded the Gan Foundation Prize for Distribution during the 64th Critics’ Week. The film has since been invited to other major festivals including Toronto, New York, and Busan.
French distributor Le Pacte will release the film in French cinemas on September 17, followed by a domestic release in Taiwan on October 31. Its international rollout begins in November across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., with a global launch on Netflix scheduled for November 28 — a strategic move that could boost its visibility ahead of Oscar voting.
Awards Timeline
The Academy will announce its shortlist for Best International Feature on December 16, with the final five nominees revealed on January 22, 2026. If selected, Left-Handed Girl would mark a significant milestone for contemporary Taiwanese cinema, which continues to gain recognition for its bold storytelling and cross-cultural collaborations.