Breaking the 3,000-Meter Swimming Barrier Wins Nine Awards, Li A-Fu and Daughter Crowned Emperor and Empress

A Taiwanese film partly based on the real experiences of seven visually impaired swimmers is making its way to the international stage from Sun Moon Lake. After winning three major awards at the New York Film Awards, 'Breaking the 3,000-Meter Swimming Barrier' has now taken home six more at the Los Angeles Film Awards, bringing its total to nine. Veteran actor Li A-Fu and his daughter Li Zi Yan won Best Actor and Best Actress respectively, becoming the emperor and empress of this international journey. Starting from real life, a Taiwanese story crosses language barriers 'Breaking the 3,000-Meter Swimming Barrier' is produced, directed, and starred in by Li A-Fu, with An Jinghong as the director. The story is based on the real experiences of seven visually impaired swimmers challenging to swim across Sun Moon Lake. The film focuses on companionship, trust, and breakthroughs, depicting how the swimmers overcome physical limitations and inner fears with the guidance of their partners, regaining control of their lives. This time, the Los Angeles Film Awards gave the film six honors: Best Dramatic Film, Best New Dramatic Film Director, Best Original Story, Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Music. An Jinghong won Best New Dramatic Film Director, while Zhang Yingmin, An Jinghong, and Wang Jixiang jointly won Best Original Story. Xiao Huangqi won Best Music for his film music work. Before this, the film had already won Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress at the New York Film Awards. From New York's three crowns to Los Angeles' six awards, the film has continuously received recognition from international film competitions, allowing a life story originating from Taiwanese soil to be seen by more overseas audiences. The most talked-about aspect of this award is not just the number of awards, but Li A-Fu and Li Zi Yan's real-life father-daughter relationship, where they both won Best Actor and Actress. For Li Zi Yan, this is her first time acting in a film, but she has already consecutively won two international Best Actress awards, showing that her performance has been recognized by different judging panels. Li A-Fu said that the team's long-term investment in production has now been recognized internationally, which is already moving; being able to win Best Actor and Actress with his daughter is the most precious moment in his life. He also hopes that works with Taiwanese characteristics and vitality will receive more resource support in the future. Li Zi Yan said that being able to share the glory with her father is the happiest meaning of this award. The film not only helped her understand her role but also allowed the father and daughter to relearn communication and companionship during the collaboration process. Li Zi Yan's first time acting in a film has already won her two international film festival Best Actress awards, with her acting skills recognized overseas. (Image provided by the production team) From works to industry, the issues behind international awards 'Breaking the 3,000-Meter Swimming Barrier' features actors such as Fan Yichen, Yen Cheng-hsiung, Li Zi Yan, Mi Ke Bai, Li A-Fu, Wong Ka-ming, Wu Ling-shan, and Ma Guobi. After its release in Taiwan, the film has been continuously screened overseas and entered the Chinese market, gradually expanding its international visibility. Xiao Huangqi's first time acting in a film also involved creating and performing the theme song. He said that receiving the Best Music recognition is an important encouragement for creators and hopes that those who love film and music will continue to create, allowing more works to be seen by the world. Director An Jinghong pointed out that the team had not expected a story starting with real Taiwanese figures to be recognized consecutively in New York and Los Angeles. For the crew, the awards are not just a halo but also prove that local themes, if presented sincerely, can also cross cultural differences. From the seven visually impaired swimmers challenging Sun Moon Lake to the film team overcoming production and market limitations, 'Breaking the 3,000-Meter Swimming Barrier' presents not just personal breakthroughs but also a snapshot of Taiwanese image creators heading towards the international stage. When two generations of father and daughter stand on the award list at the same time, this work also leaves another layer of meaning: truly penetrating stories often begin with the most real life. After winning three major awards at the New York Film Awards, 'Breaking the 3,000-Meter Swimming Barrier' has now taken home six more at the Los Angeles Film Awards, with a Taiwanese story based on real events moving audiences across borders. (Image provided by the production team)