When the Oscar nominations were announced on January 23, director Chiang Song-Chang found himself vacationing in Portugal. As the hour approached, he ordered a coffee and tuned into the live stream, not expecting to witness a historic moment: his documentary, “Island in Between,” received a nomination for Best Documentary Short. This marks the first time a Taiwanese documentary has been nominated for an Oscar.

Chiang is no stranger to the Oscar process, having been a member of the Academy since 2017. However, he expressed his surprise at the nomination for a film he directed and starred in—completed just last September. “I’m still very shocked and find it incredible,” he said with a laugh.

“Island in Between” focuses on the unique geographical position of the Taiwanese outlying island of Kinmen, seen through Chiang’s personal lens. The film aims to explore the feelings of Taiwanese people amidst the complex and tense relations between the U.S., China, and Taiwan. By weaving together his growth and experiences across three locations, historical footage, and interviews with Kinmen residents, Chiang crafts a poignant narrative that is both accessible and emotionally rich.

Chiang has always aimed to tell Taiwan’s stories to the world, but for years, he struggled to make his proposals gain traction due to Taiwan’s limited international visibility. In recent years, Taiwan’s effective pandemic response, the technological prowess represented by TSMC, and U.S. involvement amid rising cross-strait tensions have drawn more global attention to the island, creating fertile ground for his film. The decision to shoot in Kinmen was driven by its unique wartime landscapes, shaped by over two decades of conflict, which vividly reflect the current atmosphere of tension among Taiwanese people.

In addition to personal anecdotes, the film showcases a wealth of narratives: Chiang’s father’s military service in Kinmen, scenes of tourists listening to guides, discussions among Taiwanese residents with spouses from mainland China about the “Little Three Links,” and revisits to former military bases. These diverse visuals represent Chiang’s attempt to portray multiple perspectives. Yet, he admitted a sense of regret when some young interviewees, initially excited to share their stories, later requested that their contributions be omitted for fear of repercussions if they pursue careers in mainland China.

Understanding these concerns, Chiang noted that his unique position—holding passports from three different regions—has afforded him choices that his interviewees do not have. One powerful scene in the film features Chiang displaying his American passport, Taiwanese passport, and Mainland Travel Permit, symbolizing the complexities of his identity. Just as Kinmen exists in the crossfire of U.S.-China-Taiwan tensions, he, too, grapples with his sense of belonging as someone born in Taiwan, raised in the U.S., and having worked in China.

Released on the New York Times Op-Docs platform and nominated for an Oscar, “Island in Between” fulfills Chiang’s goal of reaching international audiences with Taiwanese stories. He explained that while many may have seen numerous documentaries about Kinmen, his choice to narrate in English from a personal perspective aims to provide a more straightforward and relatable insight into Taiwan’s experiences for global viewers.

Having relocated back to Taiwan in 2017, partly to spend more time with his parents and partly to channel his energy into telling Asian stories, Chiang has found himself more connected to Taiwan than ever. He acknowledged that although he continues to travel, the pandemic forced him to stay put in Taiwan, leading to what he describes as an evolution in his relationship with the island. “This is the story I need to tell, and this is where I should be,” he reflected.

Looking ahead, Chiang plans to continue focusing on Taiwanese stories. “Island in Between” was produced by CNEX, a non-profit organization formed by documentary producers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China, that has been encouraging the production of films about Taiwan through initiatives like “Taiwan Matters.” As a mentor at CNEX’s annual documentary proposal meetings, Chiang actively supports filmmakers in sharing Taiwanese narratives with international audiences. After promoting “Island in Between,” he intends to work on a personal documentary and explore other intriguing angles to capture Taiwan’s rich history.

“For example, I want to create a film about Teresa Teng to introduce her story to international audiences who may not be familiar with her. Her story is also an interesting avenue to discuss Taiwan’s history,” he said.

The Oscar ceremony is set to take place on March 10, with nominees for Best Documentary Short including “Island in Between,” “The Last Repair Shop,” “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó (奶奶跟外婆),” “The ABCs Of Book Banning,” and “The Barber of Little Rock.”