14th Model Festival Concludes; Hong Kong Film Model Wins Special Award

The 14th Ka-Tuo Model Festival and the 10th Taiwan International Model Open Competition concluded in Taipei, drawing model designers and enthusiasts from across the country to a shared stage. The event served not only as a contest of technical skill and creativity but also as a vital window for cultural exchange between Taiwan’s model-making community and the international stage. The program encompassed model-making workshops, live exhibitions, and professional judging, facilitating participation from beginners to professional designers and highlighting the diversity and depth of Taiwan’s miniature model-making sector.

For this edition, the organizers established the “Wentso Special Award” for the first time, intended to honor works that break traditional boundaries in creativity and technique by recreating real-world scenes or cultural symbols through models. The judging panel evaluated entries primarily based on “cultural representation” and “creative practicality,” emphasizing the ability of the works to convey rich contexts and emotions within limited spatial constraints. The establishment of this award symbolizes the Model Festival’s emphasis on cultural heritage and innovative expression, while providing participants with a broader platform for artistic presentation.

The “Wentso Special Award” was ultimately presented to the work “Action Team.” The designer recreated a scene from a Hong Kong film set using a highly detailed scale model. The piece not only meticulously depicted the typical decor of a Cantonese-style cinema but also incorporated mechanical devices for action effects, simulating the dynamic scenes of a film shoot. Through this recreation, the participant demonstrated advanced model-making techniques while paying a creative tribute to Hong Kong’s film culture, reflecting Taiwan’s creators’ respect and appreciation for cross-cultural art.

The rise of Taiwan’s model-making community shares deep historical roots with the influence of Hong Kong culture. Since the 1980s, model-making in Taiwan has gradually evolved from purely toy-oriented pursuits into the realms of art and design, earning recognition on the international stage. The global influence of Hong Kong cinema has also provided abundant inspiration for Taiwan’s model makers, with many works drawing on Hong Kong films and combining them with local creativity to form distinctive cross-cultural expressions. The success of “Action Team” further underscores the unique value of Taiwan’s model art in cross-cultural dialogue.

Looking ahead, the “Wentso Special Award” at the Ka-Tuo Model Festival is poised to become a key driver encouraging creators to center their work on culture, integrating technology and aesthetics. Through this award structure, the organizers hope to further enhance the international profile of Taiwan’s model art while fostering exchanges with Hong Kong and broader Asian cultures. By continuously providing such platforms, Taiwan’s model-making community is expected to play a more influential role in the global cultural industry.

(Fact source: CNA)