Urban Nomad will not hold any film events in 2020

COVID-19 made it impossible to hold a film festival in 2020, but the larger reason there is no 2020 Urban Nomad Film Fest is that Urban Nomad is one of the most underfunded film festivals in Taiwan. Due to budget concerns and the risk of a huge financial loss that would permanently kill the festival, we decided not to hold an event in 2020. We hope to be back in 2021, but need to find a more sustainable financial model in order for that to happen.

Urban Nomad is back with the Fall Freakout! Oct 3 at Tiger Mt!

We were honestly gutted in the spring, when it became impossible to do a full international music festival this year. But once Taiwan turned out to be the best in the world at handling the pandemic, local bands told us they wanted to play. So despite the setbacks of earlier this year, we’ve rallied to produce the URBAN NOMAD FALL FREAKOUT.

This one-day fest will pack everything into a massive party, with 25+ bands and DJs, as well as artists and performers going from 2pm to 5am at Taipei’s chillest and wildest outdoor music venue, Tiger Mountain. We will have 3 music stages, as well as roving artists, fire dancers, a hair salon, gourmet food, vegan options, craft beer, all sorts of vendors, and to top it all off, this happens in a beautiful mountain valley very close to the center of Taipei city.

Keep reading to find out about the big MAIN STAGE… ALL-NITE JUNGLE TECHNO… TEMPLE OF HIP HOP… and INDIE LIVE lineups.

Urban Nomad’s Music Fest Postponed

This is not a happy thing to announce, but due to coronavirus, the 2020 Urban Nomad Freakout Festival will be delayed until later this year. We hope to bring the full festival back in the autumn, and will announce new dates when this becomes possible. Most of the 15 international performers and dozens of Taiwanese performers originally planned for 2020 Urban Nomad have already agreed to join the festival once we can reschedule. So you can expect the same amazing, highly international lineup. Ticket refunds are available. And not everything is cancelled! In April, Urban Nomad will continue to hold two live music events at Revolver and Triangle on April 9 and 10.

2020 Urban Nomad Call for Films

Submissions are now open for the 19th annual Urban Nomad Film Fest, to be held in Taipei in April-May 2020, then later in the year touring programs will take films to other Taiwanese cities. Urban Nomad will hold competitions in two main categories, “Taiwan films” and “Taiwan indie music videos”, with awards including cash prizes and post-production services from a top Taiwan post-production house, Far East Translation Services. There is also a non-competition section for entries from outside Taiwan. Find out how to submit works here.

Opening and Closing Films Announced

Hao Wu’s People’s Republic of Desire, winner of the SXSW Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary in 2018 and a generally shocking documentary on livestreaming in China, is Urban Nomad’s opening film for the 2019 festival. The Closing Film will be Valerie Soe’s Love Boat: Taiwan on the 50-year-old study exchange program and its thousands of alumni, showing as an Asia premier and screening at its third festival overall. Both directors will be in attendance at the festival.

Essential Info on the 2019 Urban Nomad Film Fest

This 18th year of the Urban Nomad Film Fest includes 55 films, including 25 feature films and 22 short films and 8 music videos. Most of these films will be seen in Taipei or Taiwan for the first time and include one Oscar nominated film, winner of a SXSW Grand Jury Prize, and other prestigious award-winning films. There will be 37 local premieres as well as 12 Asia premieres, while five short films will have world premieres. At least seven international filmmakers will visit the festival and around 30 local filmmakers will participate. There will be at least two concerts, and every single day of the festival we will have filmmakers at screenings for audience Q&As. We’ll have several panel discussions, some free film screenings, and a few parties as well. Participation and bringing creators into direct contact with audiences is what we’re all about.