Bringing HL to the World: Naoki Miyashita Directs HL’s New Promotional Film

(中央社訊息服務20251119 12:11:18)The Hualien County Government has launched a new international branding film to introduce the region’s stunning blend of mountains, sea, and multicultural life. Unlike a typical tourism promo, this project focuses on shaping a deeper place identity, expanding international outreach, encouraging youth engagement, and linking local brands with industry. To bring this vision to life, the County invited acclaimed Japanese director Naoki Miyashita to take the lead behind the camera. In Miyashita’s eyes, Hualien is a place filled with a pure, moving energy. The light, the landscapes, and the warmth of its people shift with time, each moment revealing a different side—like a poem that never ends.

Miyashita is known for his poetic visual language and has extensive experience at film festivals in Japan and abroad. He excels at capturing the atmosphere of a place and the emotional layers of its people, transforming ordinary life into images that linger in the viewer’s mind. Since filming began in July, his team has visited locations including Taroko Gorge, Qixingtan Beach, Liushishi Mountain, and numerous local shops and art studios. His lens reveals not only Hualien’s majestic landscapes and deep blue coastlines but also the everyday warmth of the people who live there.

From the stillness of dawn to the liveliness of city streets, Miyashita explores Hualien from multiple perspectives. His goal is to show that Hualien is more than a scenic destination; it is a living culture that speaks to the world. This film is not just about beautiful imagery; it focuses on the connection between people and the land. That emotional bond, the director believes, is what truly resonates with audiences.

According to Hualien Tourism Department Director-General Yu Ming-Hsun, this cross-border collaboration under the We Bloom! initiative is not only a filming project but a powerful opportunity for cultural exchange. Miyashita brings a fresh perspective, seeing Hualien with curiosity rather than familiarity. That viewpoint helps the film resonate with global audiences and connect with what international travelers seek: nature, culture, and heartfelt hospitality. Everyday life is magnified. Tiny details are carefully observed. The result is not just tourism footage—it is a cultural symbol people can understand and feel.

The film positions Hualien as a place that touches the heart. Through a blend of poetic imagery and emotion, it aims to create a deeper connection with viewers. The County hopes this series will become a powerful tool for promotion. It will be featured at domestic and international travel fairs and during global partnerships. It will also be shared widely through digital and social platforms to reach international audiences who have yet to experience Hualien in person. Through this global outreach, the story of Hualien can cross language and geographic barriers and find a place in the hearts of many.

The project also hopes to strengthen local youth identity with Hualien. By showing real stories of young people returning to their hometowns to build businesses and lead cultural initiatives, the film highlights that Hualien is not just a backdrop—it is a place where dreams can grow. The film is also integrated with local brands and industries, turning visual storytelling into a vehicle for commerce and tourism. In this way, “seeing Hualien” becomes more than an impression; it becomes action and support.

“Bringing Hualien to the World” is no longer a slogan. It is a real invitation. With the completion of the international brand film, Hualien steps onto the global stage in richer and more compelling form. Through Director Naoki Miyashita’s lens, the dawn and night, the mountains and sea, and the hearts of its people become the most affecting images, telling this land’s story to the world.