As part of the government's efforts to promote its "New Southbound Policy," the Ministry of Culture has earmarked a budget of US$600 million to attract international filmmakers and TV crews to produce their future projects with counterparts in Taiwan. Mulan, a musical that made its global debut this month in Singapore, is a great example of collaboration between performers from Taiwan and abroad.

Indie moviemakers often take on other roles—entrepreneur, advocate, teacher. Add cultural ambassador and diplomat to that list for some of America’s top cinematic thinkers.