The Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs is promoting a plan called the "Art Space Network," offering city-owned housing to young film industry hopefuls for long-term residence in the capital. On Thursday the first firecrackers went off in Xingcheng Street announcing the opening of the "Living Film Space" ceremony and opening the area to bring in filmmakers and encourage young professionals to make movies.

The "Living Film Space" is jointly operated by the Taiwan Women in Film Association, the Taipei City Documentary Producers Union and the ROC Documentary Development Association at the request of the Cultural Affairs Department. The hope is that this will provide a fertile incubator for new cultural and artistic seeds in Taiwan and breathe new life into the art.

Liao Xianhao, head of the Cultural Affairs Department, says that the Art Space Network is releasing city-owned space not currently being used, and providing it for the use of young artists after being fitted out in a simple manner. The space can be used as shooting studios, workshops or practice space. The aim is to encourage young creative talent to stay in Taipei, continue creating, and fill the streets of Taipei with art and culture.

The Art Space is nestled in an unprepossessing street, and does not boast any garish decoration. The Department of Cultural Affairs hopes that this area will encourage a new type of creativity to move to the street and experiment. The first art space, "Living Film Space," is located at 1-3F, No. 16, Alley 10 of Xingcheng Street, and is being provided to filmmakers and related talent, or groups related to movies. The Department says that the period of residence is two years, and groups or individuals may apply for an extension at the end of that period. Tenants must be responsible for their own utility bills and land tax during the period they occupy the premises, and are expect to give back to the community in the form of art.

In the future, first-floor space will serve as a long-term office for the organizations running the project, providing an independent filmmakers exchange. Upstairs will be non-profit group offices, undertaking education on film. There will also be woman-focused groups of various kinds, a womens film theatre, a womens art gallery, and documentaries shown from time to time. Unions will also enhance education in the arts and culture for their members and provide insurance as a benefit to members.