Chowmein Holiday Ata Tifaga Pupuu by Lanhua Ma

Chowmein Holiday Ata Tifaga Pupuu by Lanhua Ma is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Ario in Mamanu Ata Tifaga Competition Category.

ArioAta Tifaga· 2026

Chowmein Holiday Ata Tifaga Pupuu

by Lanhua Ma

Client: Iris Lanhua Ma

A' Design Award Ario Winner in Ata Tifaga Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #183087

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Chowmein Holiday Ata Tifaga Pupuu

O le Chowmein Holiday o se ata tifaga pupuu malie faapogisa e uiga i tinā matutua Asia Amerika e toalua, o Li Ling ma May, i se malaga i luga o le auala i Kalefonia. E amata e le au tagata e toalua se faasologa o solitulafono i le taimi o le malaga. E maua e le tasi tinā matua se faamoemoega fou i le olaga, ae taofia e le isi se mealilo mai lana paaga i solitulafono. Na faia le ata tifaga e fesiligia ai manatu masani o ata tifaga e uiga i tamaitai matutua. E le o faaalia tinā matutua Asia Amerika o ni tagata filemu pe usiusitai, ae o ni tagata fouvale o loo sailia le saolotoga, le fiafia ma se uiga fou i le olaga mulimuli. O le umi o le ata tifaga e luasefulu tasi minute.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Ario

O le A' Design Award Ario na manumalo ai Chowmein Holiday Ata Tifaga Pupuu, o se faamaoniga matuā mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu sili ona lelei, matagofie ma mataʻutia. O ē manumalo i le Ario o galuega susulu tele ma fatufatuaʻi e faaalia ai le poto, le taleni ma le atamai o tagata mamanu. E faamoemoeina Chowmein Holiday Ata Tifaga Pupuu e avea ma galuega matagofie, o se fesuiaiga mo isi, e iloga i le tomai faapolofesa ma mea fou loloto. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Ario o se mea e iloga, ua mataʻina e aogā ma tuleia atu tapulaʻa o le faatufugaga, saienisi, mamanu ma tekonolosi. Chowmein Holiday Ata Tifaga Pupuu o se mea e fiafia i ai le toatele, e fafagu ai manaʻoga, aumaia ai lagona lelei ma tupu ai le ofo.

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