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Chowmein Holiday Краток филм by Lanhua Ma

Chowmein Holiday Краток филм by Lanhua Ma is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Сребрена награда A' Design Award in Дизајн на филмови, видео и анимации Competition Category.


СребренаФилм· 2026

Chowmein Holiday Краток филм

by Lanhua Ma

Client: Iris Lanhua Ma

Сребрена награда A' Design Award Winner in Филм Category

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The Design

About Chowmein Holiday Краток филм

Chowmein Holiday е краток филм на црна комедија за две азиско-американски баби, Ли Линг и Меј, на патување низ Калифорнија. Двата лика започнуваат серија криминални дела во текот на патувањето. Едната баба наоѓа нова цел во животот, додека другата чува тајна од својата партнерка во криминалот. Филмот е создаден за да ги преиспита вообичаените кинематографски стереотипи за постарите жени. Азиско-американските баби не се прикажани како тивки или послушни фигури, туку како бунтовни личности кои бараат слобода, возбуда и нова смисла во подоцнежниот живот. Времетраењето е дваесет и една минута.

The Recognition

About the Сребрена награда A' Design Award

Chowmein Holiday Краток филм е добитник на Сребрената награда A' Design Award, извонредно престижно признание што се доделува на врвни, прекрасни и импресивни дизајни. Сребрените добитници се исклучително бриљантни и многу креативни дела што ја покажуваат одличната стручност, талентот и проникливоста на нивните дизајнери. Се очекува Chowmein Holiday Краток филм да биде прекрасно, примерно, извонредно професионално и длабоко иновативно дело. Овој дизајн со Сребрена награда е значаен, восхитуван пронајдок што придонесува за поместување на границите на уметноста, науката, дизајнот и технологијата. Chowmein Holiday Краток филм е творба на која многумина и завидуваат, која ги буди желбите, носи позитивни чувства и предизвикува восхит и чудење.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Chowmein Holiday is a dark comedy following two Asian American grandmas, Li Ling and May, on a wild road trip. They embark on an exhilarating crime spree across California. During this journey, one discovers a new purpose in life, while the other harbors a hidden secret from her partner in crime.
Dimensions & Packaging
Medium: Digital Video 4K. Genre: Dark Comedy Short Film. Total Running Time: 21 minutes. Visuals: Full Color. Aspect Ratio: 2.85:1. Audio: Stereo and Surround Sound Mix. Release Year: 2025. Country of Origin: United States. Language: English.
Tags
Dark Comedy, Short Film, Asian American Cinema, Elderly Protagonists, Grandmas, Road Trip Movie, Crime Spree, California Landscapes, Female Empowerment, Rebellion, Aging and Identity, Iris Lanhua Ma, Independent Filmmaking, Cinematic Storytelling
Production Technology
The project was realized entirely through high definition digital cinema technology. The production utilized advanced digital cinema cameras and professional grade lenses to capture the vibrant, sun drenched aesthetics of the California landscape. The realization process involved sophisticated on location sound recording, dynamic lighting setups to enhance the dark comedic tone, and comprehensive post production workflows. This included precise color grading to reflect the shifting moods of the journey, digital sound mixing, and seamless editing techniques to maintain the energetic pacing of a crime spree narrative.
Design Challenge
The primary creative challenge lay in mastering the delicate tonal balance between absurd dark comedy and genuine emotional depth. It was crucial to ensure that the criminal actions of the two grandmas felt believable and rooted in their desperate search for purpose, rather than coming across as mere caricature. Furthermore, executing a dynamic road trip narrative within the constraints of an independent short film format required rigorous logistical planning. The team had to overcome the challenges of shooting across multiple California locations while maintaining visual consistency and keeping the emotional core of the two protagonists at the forefront of every single scene.
Research
The foundational research for this project deeply examined the intersection of aging, cultural identity, and the psychology of female rebellion. The creator conducted qualitative observations regarding the lived experiences and unspoken frustrations of elderly Asian American women, exploring how societal invisibility can act as a catalyst for radical behavior. Additionally, the research encompassed a structural analysis of successful dark comedies and buddy road movies, studying how to effectively blend absurd criminal situations with authentic, grounded emotional arcs to create a culturally resonant and highly entertaining narrative.
Inspiration
The film is inspired by the desire to subvert traditional cinematic stereotypes of elderly women. It reimagines Asian American grandmas not as quiet or docile figures, but as complex, rebellious individuals seeking liberation, thrill, and new meaning in their later years through an unconventional adventure.
Project Duration
Principal photography and production took place across various scenic and urban locations throughout Southern California, United States, using the diverse landscapes to visually represent the characters' physical and emotional journey. The final digital film is slated for its official premiere and festival circuit run in the year 2025, screened at LA Shorts.
Operation Flow
The audience is immediately thrust into a fast paced, visually engaging twenty one minute cinematic experience. The narrative flow is meticulously structured to balance moments of high stakes criminal activity with quiet, character driven interactions. Viewers interact with the film emotionally, experiencing a rollercoaster of dark humor, shock, and profound empathy. The pacing accelerates as the road trip progresses, mirroring the escalating tension of the hidden secret, ultimately guiding the audience toward a thought provoking and emotionally resonant climax.
Patents
Copyright All rights reserved by Lanhua Ma.
Team Members
Lanhua Ma
Image Credits
Images courtesy of Iris Lanhua Ma

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