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.
AWARDS
Audience Award - Festival Ciné Junior
MEO Junior Jury Award - Festival PLAY
(Nominee) "Oscar-Qualifying: Mark Braunstein Award for Best Short Narrative" - Woodstock Film Festival
Microgrants Round 3 Winner - PANO NETWORK
NALIP "Latino Lens: Narrative Short Film Incubator for Women of Color 2022" Sponsored by NETFLIX
Finalist: Short Film Fund (2021) - The Future of Film Is Female
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
Poster by Jee Kim
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Rosie
Cairo Zion as Skylar
Cairo Zion with Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja - Photos: Luna Cristales
Film Festivals
1. Uppsala International Short Film Festival - Sweden, 2023
2. Vancouver Asian Film Festival - Canada, 2023
3. Chicago International Children's Film Festival - USA, 2023
4. MINT Chinese Film Festival - UK, 2024
5. DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon - USA, 2024
6. REGARD - Saguenay International Short Film Festival - Canada, 2024
7. Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth - Canada, 2024
8. Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth - India, 2024
9. Big Eyes, Big Minds - Singapore International Children's Film Festival - Singapore, 2024
10. KINOLUB International Film Festival for Children and Youth - Poland, 2024
11. Oakville Festivals of Film and Art - Canada, 2024
12. Sunrise Film Festival - UK, 2024; Nominated: Best International Short
13. Asian American International Film Festival - USA, 2024
14. Sidewalk Film Festival - USA, 2024
15. FICPBA - International Film Festival of The Province of Buenos Aires - Argentina, 2024
16. Seoul International Children's Film Festival - South Korea, 2024
17. Odyssey Film Festival - UK, 2024
18. Cinemira Film Festival for Children & Youth - Hungary, 2024
19. Hobnobben Film Festival - USA, 2024
20. Tacoma Film Festival - USA, 2024; Nominated: Best Short Film
21. Buffalo International Film Festival - USA, 2024
22. Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest - USA, 2024
23. Woodstock Film Festival - USA, 2024; Nominated: Mark Braunstein Award for Best Short Narrative
24. Reel Sisters of The Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series - USA, 2024
25. Hof International Film Festival - Germany, 2024
26. Galway Film Fleadh: GENERATION Fleadh - Ireland, 2024
27. CineMagic Film Festival - UK, 2024
28. Mirada Corta - Mexico, 2024
29. Boston International Kids Film Festival - USA, 2024
30. ZUBROFFKA International Short Film Festival - Poland, 2024
31. Anchorage International Film Festival - USA, 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
35. Nepal International Film Festival - Nepal, 2025
36. Psaroloco International Children's & Young People's Film Festival - Greece, 2025
37. Phoenix Film Festival - USA, 2025
38. Corti da Sogni Antonio Ricci International Short Film Festival - Italy, 2025
39. FilmFest Dresden - Germany, 2025
40. NewFilmmakers Los Angeles - USA, 2025
41. Female Voices Rock - USA, 2025
42. Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival - USA, 2025
43. Festival Ptit Clap - France, 2025
44. Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival - USA, 2025
45. BraveMaker Film Fest - USA, 2025
46. The Movie Screeners Club - USA, 2025; WINNER: July Audience Choice Award
47. Asian Film Festival of Dallas - USA, 2025
48. Greenpoint Film Festival - USA, 2025
49. Bushwick Film Festival - USA, 2025
50. Diversity & Inclusion Film Festival at Lincoln Center - USA, 2025
51. Yellowstone International Film Festival - India, 2025
Photos by Luna Cristales
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 well shot, well-directed short that highlights, once more, the progress of Asian American cinema."
"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)
"Featured Short Film: Sunflower Girl" - CINEASIAN FILMS
"Malea Emma Releases New Single and Music Video “Better Off This Way” from the End Credits of Short Film Sunflower Girl" - GOOD STAR VIBES
"‘Sunflower Girl’ Review: An Impressive Short Film About Teenage Emotions (4/5 Stars)" - FILM FUGITIVES
"Holly M. Kaplan talks her short film Sunflower Girl" - FILM OBSESSIVE
"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
"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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Supported by BendFilm: Basecamp, Stowe Story Labs.