Abstract

Taiwanese films have long relied on international film festivals for overseas promotion. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this model, while the rise of streaming subscriptions enabled Taiwanese films to reach global audiences without spatial limits. This study explores streaming platforms as channels for Taiwanese films’ international circulation, focusing on operators active in Taiwan. Methods include document analysis, catalog checks of films available in Paris, and in-depth interviews. Using film value chain and window theories, the study finds that global platforms like Netflix boost visibility for commercial hits such as The Bridge Curse, Your Name Engraved Herein, and Incantation, reaching audiences across Latin America, Europe, and Asia. However, Netflix favors genre or box office titles, while auteur art films circulate more via local platforms with regional limits. Even on global services, algorithms may curb exposure. Streaming thus complements but cannot replace festivals, offering an alternative route mainly for Taiwanese genre films seeking cross-border audiences.