Anthony Chen’s ‘Somewhere in the South’ Wins Focus Asia TAICCA Award

Focus Asia, the industry section of the Far East Film Festival, concluded its 2026 edition in Udine with both prizes going to first-time directors.

Haohao Yan’s “Naked in Glendale,” a Chinese-American coming-of-age project produced by Jane Zheng of Seesaw Productions and Julia Xu of Q&A Entertainment, won the inaugural White Light/Focus Asia Award, worth $20,000 in professional post-production services from Bangkok-based White Light Studio.

“Naked in Glendale” centers on a 12-year-old Chinese model student and her inexperienced teacher, who find themselves keeping secrets from one another after relocating to a Christian school in the U.S. under the Elite Education program.

Ce Ding Tan’s “Somewhere in the South,” a Malaysian-Singaporean project produced by Edward Lim of Evil Genius Studio and Anthony Chen of Giraffe Pictures, took the TAICCA Award, presented by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency.

“Somewhere in the South” is set in a small Malaysian town where a local political campaign transforms the community’s tiger mascot into an accidental celebrity – and forces the restless young man beneath the costume to fully inhabit the role.

Both “Naked in Glendale” and “Somewhere in the South” were in Focus Asia’s All Genres Project Market.

The result marks the first time Focus Asia’s top honors have gone exclusively to debut directors. Now in its 11th edition, the market drew more than 200 participants from 40 territories across three days, with nearly 250 one-to-one meetings conducted alongside its panels, case studies and dedicated labs.

Italy’s Ministry of Culture remains the primary institutional backer of Focus Asia, with Cinecittà providing organizational support, including an opening-night reception and a showcase of Italian producers. The Italian Trade Agency ICE has also deepened its partnership with the market, with the stated aim of increasing the attendance of senior Asian decision-makers.