Tamkang University alumnus Ke-Yin Pan of the Department of Mass Communication won the Best Feature Film Award in the Uncaged Competition at the New York Asian Film Festival in late July with his feature film Family Matters. It is the first Taiwanese film to receive this honor, marking a new milestone for Taiwan’s film industry and showcasing the outstanding creativity and international competitiveness of Tamkang alumni in cinematic arts.

Attending the award ceremony in New York, Pan shared his heartfelt reflections: “I am a timid person, and making this film is the bravest thing I have ever done in my life. Through this award, I want to share love and courage with everyone who needs it right now.” He dedicated the honor to his dearest family—his mother, father, and sister—as well as to the entire production crew and cast, expressing his deepest gratitude and emotional connection.

Family Matters was released in Taiwan on September 12, following a series of international recognitions. In March 2025, it won the Yakushi Pearl Award for Best Performance at the Osaka Asian Film Festival. In April, it was invited to the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy for its European premiere. On May 13, it was selected for the International New Talent Competition at the 27th Taipei Film Festival, standing out among 443 global entries to become one of only 10 finalists. On May 24, it also won the Audience Choice Award. Additionally, on May 15, it was nominated for multiple Taipei Film Awards, including Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best New Performer, with lead actress ultimately winning Best Actress.

Family Matters, Pan’s first feature film as a director after his background in film editing, continues the creative trajectory of his earlier short film My Sister. The film tells the story of a family of four, featuring a strong cast including Wei-Hua Lan, Alexia Kao, Jing-Hua Tseng, Queena Huang, and Chun-Yao Yao. Using a multi-perspective narrative structure across different time periods, the film delicately portrays the formation and transformation of family relationships, highlighting the unconditional love and understanding that bind family members. With its trailer already released (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqw9iGG9XeY ), the film demonstrates Pan’s distinctive directorial style, blending creativity with emotional depth, and invites audiences to experience its heartfelt storytelling.