The Filipino indie nominees vie for Best Asian Creative Artist in the category’s most competitive edition yet, with a record 105 entries submitted across the Asian region
Filipino artists ena mori and SHNTI are among the nominees at Taiwan's 17th Golden Indie Music Awards (GIMA). ena mori is nominated for Ore, and SHNTI for Melting PT., both in the Best Asian Creative Artist category alongside artists from across Asia.
ena mori’s Ore and SHNTI’s Melting PT. are among five works nominated for Best Asian Creative Artist, a category created to recognize outstanding original music from artists across Asia outside Taiwan. They join KIKI for Death of a Daisy & Birth of an Oyster, N.Y.P.D. 南洋派對 for DON’T LIKE 我鍾意, and NAMDO CALLING—Jung Eunhye, CADEJO and Yechan Kim—for NAMDO CALLING.
The submissions for Best Asian Creative Artist received an unprecedented record of participation in the category, totaling 105 entries from artists outside Taiwan, the highest number in the award’s history.
One of Taiwan’s leading award-giving bodies dedicated to original music, the Golden Indie Music Awards received 4,242 submissions for its 17th edition. This year’s nominees showcase a diverse range of musical spectrum and genres, including alternative pop, jazz, electronic music, hip-hop, and works shaped by distinct languages, cultural traditions, and creative perspectives.
The 17th GIMA carries the theme “觸 TRUE,” combining the Taiwanese expression 觸 (chù)—which describes the feeling of being emotionally moved, struck, or deeply resonating with something—with the English word “TRUE.” The theme celebrates authenticity in creative expression and music's ability to create meaningful connections across cultures and borders.
Fang Q, bassist of Taiwanese band Cosmos People, chairs the awards jury this year and noted that the record-breaking 4,242 submissions reflect the vitality and diversity of Taiwan’s contemporary music landscape.
Sunset Rollercoaster leads Taiwan’s nominations
Among the most prominent nominees is Taiwanese band SunsetRollercoaster, whose latest album QUIT QUIETLY received nominations for Best Album, Best Band, and Best Alternative Pop Album. The album’s track “Bluebird” is also nominated for Best Alternative Pop Song, while Tseng Kuo Hung is nominated for Best Singer-songwriter for QUIT QUIETLY.
This year’s nominations reflect the increasingly diverse character of Taiwan’s independent music landscape, with artists working across genres, languages and creative traditions represented throughout the awards.
Outside of the competitive categories, the Jury Award will be presented to Yuhan Su for Over The Moons. The GIMA Impact Award, meanwhile, will honor Blue Note Taipei andfounder Tsai Bop for their longstanding contribution to Taiwan’s jazz culture and live music community.
GIMA LIVE and the 17th Golden Indie Music Awards Ceremony
GIMA LIVE will precede the awards as the official showcase event of the Golden Indie Music Awards, taking place on October 21 and 22 at CORNER MAX in Taipei. The showcase will feature the final performances of nominees in the Best Live Performance category, with the winner determined following the performances.
The 17th Golden Indie Music Awards Ceremony will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Taipei Music Center. The ceremony will also be livestreamed for international audiences, giving music fans and industry observers outside Taiwan a chance to join the celebration.
The complete list of nominees, the GIMA LIVE lineup, and additional information about the 17th Golden Indie Music Awards are available on the awards’ official Facebook,Instagram, and YouTube.
Source: Nyou