TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan was named the featured country at the Madrid LesGaiCineMad international LGBT film festival starting Wednesday (Nov. 13), showcasing the nation's journey toward democracy, human rights, and LGBTQ equality through its films.

Founded in 1996, the LesGaiCineMad has grown into one of the most important film festivals in the Spanish-speaking world, drawing over 10,000 attendees annually. This year marks its 29th edition.

Festival curator Miguel Lafuente praised Taiwan as a nation striving for democracy and possessing Asia’s most advanced LGBTQ rights legislation. This environment has fostered a creative space for filmmakers working on LGBTQ themes and experimental cinema, he noted.

This year's “Cine Queer Taiwan: Abriendo Caminos de Libertad” program is presented by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Spain in partnership with the festival. It aims to convey Taiwan's progressive values regarding freedom, democracy, and human rights, the Ministry of Culture said.

The lineup features a significant number of films directed by women. It explores generational conflict and the tension between traditional and modern values.

Featured films include “The Wedding Banquet,” “The River,” “Spider Lilies,” “Small Talk,” “Moneyboys,” “A Journey in Spring,” and “Tank Fairy,” showcasing the nation's rich and varied LGBTQ cinematic landscape. Additionally, the feature film “Who’ll Stop the Rain” is a nominee in the official competition, and the short film “Bubbling” is a contender in the international short film category.

“Who’ll Stop the Rain” is Su Yi-hsuan's (蘇奕瑄) debut as director. Su aims to evoke the audience's inner journey of self-discovery and identity through the emotional depth of her characters.

Huang Hui-chen (黃惠偵), the award-winning director of “Small Talk,” is scheduled to lead a masterclass at Madrid's TAI (Transforming Arts Institute) School of the Arts. Huang will explore the complex themes of family and gender in Taiwanese cinema with film students and professionals.