Culture 5 min read By Trevor Kendall
Radiance Films Acquires Eight Taiwanese Classics for U.S. and U.K. Release
London-based distributor Radiance Films has picked up eight Taiwanese classics from the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute, including works by Hou Hsiao-hsien and Tsai Ming-liang, for theatrical and home entertainment releases in 2027.
London-based distributor Radiance Films has acquired eight Taiwanese classics from the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI), including films by acclaimed directors Hou Hsiao-hsien and Tsai Ming-liang, for theatrical and home entertainment releases in the United States and United Kingdom in 2027.
The deal was unveiled at Lyon's International Classic Film Market (MIFC) on Thursday. Among the titles included is Hou Hsiao-hsien's «A Time to Live and a Time to Die», a landmark of Taiwanese cinema that helped establish the director's international reputation. The package also features work by Tsai Ming-liang, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary art cinema, and Yang Li-kuo's «The Dull-Ice Flower», which is set for U.S. and U.K. release as part of the acquisition.
The agreement covers both theatrical screenings and home entertainment formats, giving American and British audiences expanded access to a body of work that has been historically difficult to see outside of festival circuits and specialized retrospectives. The TFAI, Taiwan's leading institution for film preservation and restoration, has been instrumental in restoring and making available the island's cinematic heritage.
Hou Hsiao-hsien is widely regarded as one of the central figures of the Taiwanese New Wave, a movement that emerged in the 1980s and brought international attention to filmmakers from Taiwan. His films are known for their long takes, restrained style, and deep engagement with Taiwanese history and memory. «A Time to Live and a Time to Die», released in 1985, is a semi-autobiographical work that remains one of his most celebrated films.
Tsai Ming-liang, who emerged slightly later, has built a reputation for slow, contemplative cinema that explores themes of alienation, urban loneliness, and desire. His films have been regular fixtures at major international festivals, including Cannes and Venice, where he has won numerous awards. The inclusion of his work in the Radiance Films package signals a continued international appetite for the more formally adventurous strains of Taiwanese cinema.
Yang Li-kuo's «The Dull-Ice Flower» is a less widely known title outside of Taiwan but has been recognized for its sensitive portrayal of youth and its place within the broader Taiwanese New Wave tradition. Its inclusion alongside Hou and Tsai suggests that Radiance Films intends to present a representative cross-section of Taiwanese cinema rather than focusing solely on the most internationally famous names.
The acquisition was announced at the International Classic Film Market in Lyon, a key industry event for the licensing and distribution of restored and classic films. The market serves as a meeting point for rights holders, distributors, and archives looking to bring older titles back into circulation. Radiance Films has established itself as a label dedicated to releasing carefully curated classic and cult cinema, often with new restorations and supplementary materials.
For American and British audiences, the deal represents a significant opportunity to see these films on the big screen and to own high-quality home entertainment editions. Many of the titles in the package have been unavailable or difficult to access in these markets, and the 2027 release plan will bring them to a wider public.
The Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute has been actively working to restore and promote Taiwanese cinema internationally. Its partnership with Radiance Films is part of a broader effort to ensure that the island's film heritage reaches new audiences and is preserved for future generations. The eight-film package is expected to include a mix of well-known and lesser-seen works, offering a comprehensive view of a vital period in Taiwanese film history.
Further details about the individual titles, release dates, and any restoration work involved are expected to be announced closer to the 2027 rollout. The deal underscores the continued interest among international distributors in classic Asian cinema and the growing recognition of Taiwan's contribution to global film culture.
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