Produced and presented by Wanin International Visual Enterprise, directed by Wang Hao, and starring Vera Yen, Charles Tu, and others, the Taiwanese mystery-horror film *Hold to Death: Hand in Hand* has achieved another international milestone following its box office success in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), where it grossed over NT$10 million.
The film has been selected for the Feature Film Competition at Japan's YAMI International Film Festival, standing out among 182 submissions from 40 countries and regions worldwide. As one of only six feature films selected for the competition, and the sole Taiwanese entry, it will compete alongside Cannes Film Festival selections and award-winning films from international fantastic film festivals.
*Hold to Death: Hand in Hand* has also delivered impressive results in overseas markets. In addition to its box office success in Russia, the film is currently screening in Cambodia, with distribution rights sold across 18 territories. This makes it one of the few Taiwanese films in recent years to achieve such extensive international distribution. Discussions regarding additional distribution partnerships in other European countries are also ongoing.
This year's YAMI International Film Festival has attracted significant international attention. Leading American entertainment industry publication *Variety* recently highlighted its international competition lineup, while renowned Japanese entertainment media outlet *Real Sound* also announced the selected films.
The festival organizer, YAMI Inc., is a well-known Japanese horror entertainment creative brand specializing in psychological thrillers, immersive experiences, and cross-media horror content. Its popular exhibitions, including *Missing Persons Exhibition* and *Exhibition of Fear*, have collectively attracted more than 400,000 visitors.
In collaboration with KeyHolder Pictures, a company under Japan's UNITED PRODUCTIONS, YAMI Inc. has launched this international horror film festival, officially expanding its horror entertainment presence onto the global big screen.
This year's Feature Film Competition boasts an exceptionally strong lineup, with all selected films bringing impressive credentials from prestigious international film festivals:
**《Species》 (France / Belgium Co-production):** Selected for the Midnight Screenings section at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, the film also features the work of renowned special effects makeup artist Pierre-Olivier Persin, who won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for *The Substance*.
**《Buffet Libre》 (Spain):** Swept three major awards at FilmQuest, the American genre film festival, winning Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress.
**《No Rest for the Wicked》 (Denmark / Iceland Co-production):** Starring Pilou Asbæk, known for his role in *Game of Thrones*, the film received the Best Director and Outstanding Performance awards at Canada's Fantasia International Film Festival.
**《Gaua》 (Spain):** Held its world premiere at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in Spain, one of the world's leading festivals dedicated to horror and fantasy cinema.
**《Nervous》 (South Korea / United Kingdom Co-production):** Features a powerful performance by acclaimed South Korean actress Go Ah-sung, known for her role in *Snowpiercer*.
Standing alongside these internationally recognized films as one of the six competition finalists, *Hold to Death: Hand in Hand* demonstrates the growing competitiveness of Taiwanese genre cinema on the global stage.
### Marvel Series Star and Hollywood Horror Producer Highlight Star-Studded Festival Lineup
This year's festival also features a distinguished lineup of industry professionals. The opening film, *Night Feeds*, stars May Calamawy, known for her role in Marvel Studios' series *Moon Knight*. The closing film, *Breeder*, is produced by Steven Schneider, the acclaimed producer behind the *Paranormal Activity* and *Insidious* franchises.
The festival's jury brings together Rana Roy and Alex Goyette, directors of the two films, alongside Japanese actress Kiki Sukezane, known for her appearance in HBO's *Westworld*.
The YAMI International Film Festival will take place from November 20 to 26 at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya in Tokyo.
*Hold to Death: Hand in Hand* will have official screenings on November 22 and 25. Director Wang Hao will personally travel to Tokyo to attend both post-screening Q&A sessions, where he will share insights into the film's creative vision and engage with Japanese audiences.
**For the latest news and updates, please follow the official fan page of *Hold to Death: Hand in Hand*.**