Sunflower Girl, Short - 2023

Writer/Director/Producer for Narrative Short Film sponsored by Netflix

Currently in the festival circuit.
2023 | 14 min | USA | English, Cantonese | English Subtitles [CC]

When a 13-year-old Chinese-American girl has the opportunity to go skateboarding with her crush, it comes at the cost of abandoning her little sister.
Starring 
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja (AFTER YANG) 
Cairo Zion (AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR JR.)
Abigail Lopez, Daniel Girdo, Fanny Lawren
Written & Directed by Holly M. Kaplan
Produced by Seika Paradeis, Holly M. Kaplan
Executive Producer NALIP
Sponsored by Netflix

Director of Photography - Michael Cong
Editor - Hailey Choi
Production Design - Mischelle Moy
Composer - Kristine Bernabe
Sound Design - Delu Duan
Costumes - Dan Wang
Casting/Associate Producer - Sunny Chen
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Rosie
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Rosie
Cairo Zion as Skylar
Cairo Zion as Skylar

Cairo Zion with Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja - Photos: Luna Cristales

WINNER of PANO Network's Microgrant 2023

Festivals
12. Sunrise Film Festival - UK, 2024; Nominated: Best International Short
14. Sidewalk Film Festival - USA, 2024
17. Odyssey Film Festival - UK, 2024
19. Hobnobben Film Festival - USA, 2024
20. Tacoma Film Festival - USA, 2024; Nominated: Best Short Film
23. Woodstock Film Festival - USA, 2024; Nominated: Mark Braunstein Award for Best Short Narrative
28. Mirada Corta - Mexico, 2024
30. ZUBROFFKA International Short Film Festival - Poland, 2024​​​​​​​
32. Festival Ciné Junior - France, 2025; WINNER: Prix du Public 7+ (Audience Award)
33. Festival PLAY - Portugal, 2025; WINNER: MEO Junior Jury Award
34. Fargo Film Festival - USA, 2025
37. Phoenix Film Festival - USA, 2025
38. FilmFest Dresden - Germany, 2025

Poster by Jee Kim

Reviews

"Transcends the boundaries of a coming-of-age narrative. It is a testament to the power of personal storytelling and cinematic craft." - (OVERLY HONEST REVIEWS)
"Sunflower Girl is a standout short film on the festival circuit this year, blending youthful innocence with deeper cultural reflections. Holly M. Kaplan crafts a heartfelt, visually stunning exploration of adolescence, first love and identity [..] A must-watch for anyone seeking a thoughtful, emotional journey on screen." - (BATTLE ROYALE WITH CHEESE)
"With intimate hand-held camera work and nuanced performances from the lead actors, Kaplan tells an emotionally resonant coming-of-age story perfect for fans of THE FLORIDA PROJECT. The film is vibrant and inventive, whilst always being entrenched in the world of a teenager." - (REBYS J HYNES; UK Reviewer)
"'Sunflower Girl' is a well shot, well-directed short that highlights, once more, the progress of Asian American cinema.​​​​​​​" - (ASIAN MOVIE PULSE)

Sunflower Girl Review: Detailing a Shared Human Experience - CINEMACY
"‘Sunflower Girl’ Review: An Impressive Short Film About Teenage Emotions (4/5 Stars)" - FILM FUGITIVES
A Review of ‘Sunflower Girl’: An affecting tale of a blooming teen’s divided devotion - REVIEWRON
"Sunflower Girl - Review (Movie Score: 8/10)" - FILM THREAT
"Dos cortometrajes para conocer el Festival Internacional de Cine de la Provincia de Buenos Aires" - MAGAZINEMA
"Asian productions at the Buenos Aires Province International Film Festival" - XIAHPOP
"Mint Chinese Film Festival: Competition 1. Food for the mind" - CUT TO THE TAKE
"MINT CFF Short Film Reveiws: Sunflower Girl, Thirstygirl & Innermost" - IRISHCINEPHILE
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