Cape No. 7 (2008)

Box office: NT$530 million

Cape No. 7 is the highest-grossing local film in Taiwan to date.

The sleeper hit was made on a humble budget of NT$50 million and helmed by a relatively unknown cast and director Wei Te-sheng. Lead actor Van Fan had enjoyed modest success as a singer, and lead actress Chie Tanaka had little experience.

The romantic comedy - about a struggling band in the seaside town of Hengchun - struck a chord in audiences and critics. Tourists thronged the town and the film took home six awards at the 2008 Golden Horse Awards, including the Outstanding Taiwanese Film-maker award.

Warriors Of The Rainbow: Seediq Bale (2011)

Box office: More than NT$790 million over two parts

Cape No. 7 director Wei Te-sheng struck gold again in his follow-up, a two-part aboriginal war epic.

The blockbuster tapped on the true story of an indigenous Taiwan tribe's fight against the Japanese colonial forces in the 1930s.

Boasting a massive NT$700-million budget, the movie bagged six awards at the 2011 Golden Horse Awards, including Best Original Film Score for Singaporean composer Ricky Ho.

You Are The Apple Of My Eye (2011)

Box office: NT$410 million

The high school romance was based on director-author Giddens Ko's semi-autobiographical novel The Girl We Chased Together In Those Years.

In the film, straight-A student and class belle Shen Chia-yi (Michelle Chen) is the object of affection of mischievous classmate Ko Ching-teng (Kai Ko).

The movie catapulted lead actor Ko to fame and he won Best New Actor at the 2011 Golden Horse Awards.

Monga (2010)

Box office: NT$258 million

The triad movie centres on the rivalries and brotherhood of mobsters in Taipei's shady, red-light district of Monga in the 1980s.

The movie's bad boys - television heart-throbs Ethan Juan and Mark Chao - caught the attention of female fans, critics and movie producers.

Juan won Best Leading Actor at the 2010 Golden Horse Awards. Both Juan and Chao are now sought-after leading men in movies.

Beyond Beauty: Taiwan From Above (2013)

Box office: NT$220 million

As the title suggests, this environmental documentary gives audiences a bird's eye view of Taiwan's scenery - from areas of unspoiled natural beauty to pollution-scarred lands.

In his directorial debut, Taiwanese aerial photographer Chi Po-lin highlights the environmental hazards that have ravaged his country's stunning landscapes. The poignant images are accompanied by Singaporean composer Ricky Ho's stirring score.

Chi's work became the highestgrossing documentary in Taiwan and won Best Documentary at the 2013 Golden Horse Awards.

Gwendolyn Ng