A documentary titled “State Organs” is vying for recognition at the 2025 Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature Film. Directed by Raymond Zhang, a Peabody Award-winner, the film sheds light on the disturbing acts of inhumanity committed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The documentary follows the stories of Yun Zhang and Shawn Huang, who mysteriously disappeared in China during the early 2000s, and their families’ heartbreaking search for them.
Producer Cindy Song expressed her satisfaction with the film’s inclusion in the Oscar nomination list. She hopes that through this movie, people will gain a deeper understanding of China’s current reality and give a voice to innocent victims worldwide.
The film is now available for members of the Documentary branch to view and vote on in the Academy Screening Room. Preliminary voting for shortlists will begin on December 9th, with results announced on December 17th. The nominations voting period is scheduled from January 8th to January 12th, and official nominations will be revealed on January 17th. The highly anticipated 97th Oscars ceremony will take place on March 2nd.
“State Organs” has already received several accolades including two Leo Awards in Best Direction and Best Musical Score categories at the prestigious Leo Awards held in 2023. It also won an Award of Excellence at the Accolade Global Film Competition earlier this year and was named Best Human Rights Documentary at the Manhattan Film Festival.
The documentary features interviews with Michelle Zhang, Yun Zhang’s sister, and Dr. Will Huang, Shawn Huang’s brother. Both missing individuals were practitioners of Falun Gong—a spiritual discipline based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance—whose popularity posed a threat to CCP rule. Since its introduction in 1992, millions have embraced Falun Gong; however, it has faced severe persecution from Chinese authorities since July 1999.
In fact, an independent people’s tribunal held in London concluded that Beijing had been systematically killing prisoners of conscience—particularly Falun Gong practitioners—for their organs “on a significant scale.” This revelation further highlights why “State Organs” has gained attention not only within Taiwan but also internationally.
To raise awareness about organ harvesting practices linked to China’s regime among Taiwanese citizens considering organ transplants there as well as globally; Chen Li-na—a Kaoshiung city councilor—urged Taiwan parliamentarians to pass legislation similar