TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Culture (MOC, 文化部) announced on Monday (March 3) a new initiative to boost local film viewership among youths by offering additional Culture Points (文化幣) for group movie outings. The ministry aims to enhance engagement with domestic films by rewarding patrons with 100 bonus points for every transaction of 350 points or more, with no upper limit.
The ministry has highlighted several recommended domestic films, including "The Uniform" (夜校女生), "The Extra's Journey" (臨演人生), "When the Stars Shine — Hope Reading" (故事開始的地方－希望閱讀), and "Thunderbolt Fantasy" (東離劍遊紀：最終章:). Upcoming releases such as "Hunter Brothers" (獵人兄弟) and "Penguin Girl" (命中註定那頭鵝) are also on the watchlist, and the ministry encourages youths to catch these films in theaters.
Since the distribution of cultural bonuses began on Jan. 1, more than 1.25 million youths aged 13 to 22 have collected their points, a 62% uptake rate, resulting in over NT$570 million in cultural spending. The ministry noted a 45% collection rate among new participants aged 13 to 15, who received 600 points each, while those aged 16 to 22, receiving 1,200 points each, showed a 68% collection rate.
Despite strong participation in bookstores and publishing (48%), performing arts and cultural experiences (21%), and pop music (16%), spending on domestic films still lags.
