QCinema International Film Festival is back with a bang, unveiling the official selection for its QCSEA Shorts Competition, which marks its inaugural edition. This showcase of cinematic excellence features ten short films meticulously chosen from an impressive pool of 380 entries from across Southeast Asia. The competition lineup promises a vibrant mix of stories, each uniquely showcasing the rich diversity and creativity of the region.

Diverse Entries from Southeast Asia

The competition lineup proudly showcases the cultural and storytelling diversity of Southeast Asia. With entries hailing from Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, it’s a cinematic voyage through the heart of the region.

1. Basri And Salma In A Never-Ending Comedy – Directed by Khozy Rizal (Indonesia)

Basri And Salma In A Never-Ending Comedy tells the story of a childless couple who has been married for 5 years. They own an Odong-Odong, an entertainment vehicle for children, at the carnival. They spend their days entertaining and taking care of other people’s children. Between meddling relatives, self-doubt and an explosive confrontation, they uncover why they have not been blessed with a child. This Indonesian short film is directed by Khozy Rizal.

2. Buoyant – Directed by Toan Thanh Doan & Hoang-Phuc Nguyen-Le (Vietnam)

Vietnam’s Buoyant by Toan Thanh Doan & Hoang-Phuc Nguyen-Le follows the story of a fisherman who rescues a mermaid from the fish market. They are joined by two jolly friends on a fanciful tale along the waters. 

3. I Look Into The Mirror And Repeat Myself – Directed by Giselle Lin (Singapore)

I Look Into The Mirror And Repeat Myself from Singapore is about a filmmaker who questions the meaning of her given name, her place among her four sisters, and their stories, while her family is on the cusp of change and dissolution. The film is directed by Giselle Lin.

4. MOP – Directed by Joon Goh (Malaysia)

From Malaysia is MOP by Joon Goh. The film is about a boss and her employee who, over a lunch break, play a dangerous sexual game. 

5. The Altar – Directed by Moe Myat May Zarchi (Myanmar)

Myanmar’s entry is an experimental short film by Moe Myat May Zarchi. The Altar is about the guilt of a childhood incident of killing an ant while washing hands in the sink animated using photographic sequences painted with golds and grays.

Five entries were also selected from the Philippines.

1. Cross My Heart And Hope To Die – Directed by Sam Manacsa

Cross My Heart And Hope To Die by Sam Manacsa is about Mila who struggles as she remains unpaid at work and a love interest becomes a source of comfort through his constant phone calls. But a promise of hope may also lead to tragedy and sad love songs.

2. Dominion – Directed by Bea Mariano

Dominion by Bea Mariano is about a drowning narrator who recounts their experience of going through an archive of colonial photographs using a barrage of sounds and images from the past and the present in a jagged and textural play.

3. Hito – Directed by Stephen Lopez

Hito by Stephen Lopez follows a 14-year-old girl who discovers that the fish she had been given for dinner is a rehabilitated bioweapon named Kiefer. 

4. Kung nga-a Conscious ang mga Alien sang ila Skincare – Directed by Seth Andrew Blanca and Niño Maldecir

Kung nga-a Conscious ang mga Alien sang ila Skincare (The Thing About Aliens And Their Skin Care) by Seth Andrew Blanca and Niño Maldecir is a drama and comedy about aliens. As peculiar as it may sound, we have been living elbow to elbow with aliens — they are one of us.

5. When You Left Me On That Boulevard – Directed by Kayla Abuda Galang

Last is When You Left Me On That Boulevard by Kayla Abuda Galang. It is about a teenager named Ly and her cousins who get high before a boisterous family Thanksgiving at their aunt’s house in Southeast San Diego in 2006.

Don’t miss the Philippine premieres of these captivating short films, scheduled for screening from November 17 to 26, 2023. This cinematic treat is set to grace the 11th edition of the QCinema International Film Festival.

For more updates and information about the festival, visit QCinema’s social media accounts with the handle @qcinemaph. Stay tuned for a cinematic experience like no other!