Taiwan Documentary ‘Invisible Nation’ to Air on PBS Stations Nationwide This May

Acclaimed documentary offers unprecedented access to Taiwan’s first female president and a timely look at the country’s democracy, global significance, and uncertain future.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Beginning May 1, 2026, the acclaimed documentary Invisible Nation will air on PBS stations across the United States, bringing Taiwan’s democratic journey, its geopolitical tightrope walk, and its pivotal role in the global technology order into American living rooms during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and Taiwanese American Heritage Week. The film will also be available for streaming on the PBS App and PBS.org, expanding access to audiences nationwide.

Directed and produced by Vanessa Hope, Invisible Nation invites viewers on an unprecedented journey with Taiwan’s first female president, Tsai Ing-wen, as she works to secure her nation’s future. Through intimate observational filmmaking, the documentary offers an in-depth look at Taiwan’s past, and present as a young democracy with robust civil liberties and fair elections, navigating pressure from China, relations with the United States, and its place on the world stage.

Premiering on public television at a time when Taiwan is central to geopolitics yet still underrepresented in American media, Invisible Nation reframes the country not as a distant flashpoint, but as a frontline democracy whose future is deeply intertwined with the United States. 

The broadcast builds on a long-tail impact campaign that has included major film festival premieres (IDFA, CPH:DOX, Woodstock, Middleburg, The Hamptons, Mill Valley), awards, theatrical releases in the United States and Taiwan—where it became the number three documentary at the box office of all time and the top-performing documentary release of 2025 and 2026 when released on streaming—and international broadcasts and streaming across Europe and the Asia-Pacific.

In the U.S, the filmmaking team launched a robust engagement strategy: a university and community screening tour featuring both virtual and in person events in partnership with organizations including the Council on Foreign Relations, Taiwanese student groups, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) and the Alexander Hamilton Society, with over 25 events at campuses across more than 15 states including Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins’ SAIS, Stanford, Texas A&M, and Duke. Post-screening conversations have featured leading voices in policy and diplomacy, ambassadors and generals, examining democratization, cross-Strait relations, U.S. security commitments, disinformation, civil defense in Taiwan, and gender and leadership.

“In a moment when the world is watching Taiwan more closely than ever, Invisible Nation gives viewers a chance to experience the country’s democratic experiment from the inside out,” said director Vanessa Hope. “We’re honored that PBS stations are bringing this story into homes across the United States during AAPI Heritage Month, and that so many universities, students, and community leaders have embraced the film as a catalyst for discussion about democracy, technology, and the future of the Indo-Pacific.”

Invisible Nation will air on PBS stations nationwide starting May 1, 2026 (check local listings) with a feature-length version streaming available on the PBS App and PBS.org. KQED 9 will air the film on May 18 at 9pm.  To find information about hosting a campus, community, or policy screening, visit www.invisiblenation.net.

American Public Television (APT), the leading syndicator of high-quality programming to public television, will distribute Invisible Nation. KQED serves as the presenting station

Media Contact: For more information or to request a press screener, contact: Sylvie Loh, sylviejoloh@gmail.com, 669-273-6174

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About the Film Team

INVISIBLE NATION is directed and produced by Vanessa Hope. Producers include Ted Hope, Sylvia Feng, Cassandra Jabola, and Ivan Orlic, with Ming Chiang, Patrick Huang, Geralyn Dreyfous and Mike Veldstra serving as executive producers. Laura Hudock is the cinematographer, with additional cinematography by Michael Geier. The score was composed by Wei-San Hsu. Keith Ochwat and Show&Tell Films served as distribution consultant. Other key collaborators have included Together Films, Hello Taiwan, Abramorama, Theorem and Think Films.

About Double Hope Films

Led by Vanessa Hope and Ted Hope, Double Hope Films produces impactful stories exploring global issues. Vanessa Hope’s credits include the feature documentaries All Eyes and Ears and Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America. Ted Hope is an Academy Award-winning producer known for his work on films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Ice Storm.

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About KQED Presents

KQED Presents is the national television distribution service of KQED, the San Francisco-based PBS and NPR member station. Since 1987, KQED Presents has worked with independent producers to bring the highest-quality documentary films and series to public television stations across the country. KQED Presents guides producers through the complexities of public media distribution, ensuring their programs meet all technical, editorial, and funding standards necessary for national broadcast. kqed.org/about/kqed-presents 

About APT

American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations. Founded in 1961, APT distributes 250 new program titles per year and nearly one-half of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. APT’s diverse catalog includes prominent documentaries, performance, dramas, how-to programs, classic movies, children’s series and news and current affairs programs. America’s Test Kitchen, The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, The Chavis Chronicles, Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Television, Doc Martin, Hope Street, Lidia’s Kitchen, Midsomer Murders, Miriam and Alan Lost in Scotland, Pati’s Mexican Table, Rick Steves’ Europe, Samantha Brown’s Places to Love, Table for All with Buki Elegbede, Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration and NHK Newsline are a sampling of APT’s programs, considered some of the most popular on public television. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service and distributes Create®TV — featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming — and WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. More information at APTonline.org.