Chowmein Holiday Amatlahcuiloltontli Ixiptlayotl (Short Film) by Lanhua Ma

Chowmein Holiday Amatlahcuiloltontli Ixiptlayotl (Short Film) by Lanhua Ma is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl in Ixcuecuetzaliztli, Tlachializtlahtolpamitl ihuan Olinia Ixiptlaliztli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

IztacteocuitlatlIxcuecuetzaliztli· 2026

Chowmein Holiday Amatlahcuiloltontli Ixiptlayotl (Short Film)

by Lanhua Ma

Client: Iris Lanhua Ma

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl Winner in Ixcuecuetzaliztli Category

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Colors

The Design

About Chowmein Holiday Amatlahcuiloltontli Ixiptlayotl (Short Film)

Chowmein Holiday ce tliltic huetzquiliztli amatlahcuiloltontli ixiptlayotl itechpa ome Asia-Estados Unidos cihtzitzintin, Li Ling ihuan May, in ohtlatocah ipan California. Inin ome tlacah pehuah quichihuah miec tlahtlacolli ipan inohhui. Ce cihtli quinextia yancuic inemiliz itlanequiliz, auh in occe quipiya ce ichtacayotl ihuicpa in itlahtlacolpoh. Inin ixiptlayotl omochiuh inic motlahtlanilia in tlen mochipa moteittitia ipan ixiptlayome itechpa huehcauh cihuah. In Asia-Estados Unidos cihtzitzintin ahmo moteittitiah quen tlacah in mocahuah ihuan ahmo tlahtoah, yece quen tlacah in ahmo tlacamatih, in quitemoah in tlacaxoxouhcayotl, in paquiliztli ihuan yancuic nemiliztli ipan in huehcauh innemiliz. In icauhyo cempohualli ihuan ce minutos.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl

Chowmein Holiday Amatlahcuiloltontli Ixiptlayotl (Short Film) ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl, hueyi tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in huel yectli, tlanextic ihuan mahuiztic tlachihualli. In quicuicah Iztacteocuitlatl ca cenca cualli ihuan cenca yancuic tlachihualli in quinextia in tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ixtlamatiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Chowmein Holiday Amatlahcuiloltontli Ixiptlayotl (Short Film) ca cenca cualli, cenca motequiuhtia ihuan yancuic. Ni dizayno in quicuic Iztacteocuitlatl quihuelitia in toltecayotl, tlamatiliztli, dizayno ihuan teknolohia. Chowmein Holiday Amatlahcuiloltontli Ixiptlayotl (Short Film) quiyolchicahua in tlacah, quipaquiltia ihuan quitlamahuiztiltia.

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.
Team Members: Lanhua Ma
Image Credits: Images courtesy of Iris Lanhua Ma