Official Selection
The Hollow: Strings of Heritage
Cheryl is a talented flautist and a dedicated dental PhD student. She moves between two worlds—her vibrant, independent
life in modern Australia and the quiet, tradition-bound expectations of her Chinese immigrant family.
On stage, she shines with confidence; at work, she is calm and precise; yet at home, conversations are brief, emotions are
restrained, and achievements are spoken of more than feelings.
In English, she connects easily with friends; in Mandarin, she faces the silent weight of expectation. Through music—a universal language that bridges cultures, heals distance, and allows her to reclaim her voice.
life in modern Australia and the quiet, tradition-bound expectations of her Chinese immigrant family.
On stage, she shines with confidence; at work, she is calm and precise; yet at home, conversations are brief, emotions are
restrained, and achievements are spoken of more than feelings.
In English, she connects easily with friends; in Mandarin, she faces the silent weight of expectation. Through music—a universal language that bridges cultures, heals distance, and allows her to reclaim her voice.
Official Selection
Girl Dinner
Girl Dinner centers on Amelia and Trinity, two young women navigating a pivotal moment in their relationship, connect for a romantic dinner.
Amelia is in her first year of law school. She recently landed an internship at a major law firm and is on track to continue there as a litigator upon graduation. She is deeply in love with Trinity but, due to work and school demands, is increasingly unable to spend time with her. She understands Trinity’s frustration, but she’s doing all that she can with the time she has. She feels as though Trinity doesn’t appreciate that the time she is investing in school and work will pay dividends for them both – in just a few years. Trinity is newly starving artist. She loved that her work at a pottery shop allowed her to paint and connect with other artists. She was actually a bit of a workaholic. But recently let go, Trinity’s job search has endured for far longer than expected. And during this stretch, she has found a new appreciation for life – for the little things. She loves Amelia so much, but is growing resentful. She understands why Amelia does what she does, but it doesn’t feel good.
As competing priorities and shifting perspectives create tension, a seemingly simple dinner becomes a space for confrontation, vulnerability, and reflection.
Amelia is in her first year of law school. She recently landed an internship at a major law firm and is on track to continue there as a litigator upon graduation. She is deeply in love with Trinity but, due to work and school demands, is increasingly unable to spend time with her. She understands Trinity’s frustration, but she’s doing all that she can with the time she has. She feels as though Trinity doesn’t appreciate that the time she is investing in school and work will pay dividends for them both – in just a few years. Trinity is newly starving artist. She loved that her work at a pottery shop allowed her to paint and connect with other artists. She was actually a bit of a workaholic. But recently let go, Trinity’s job search has endured for far longer than expected. And during this stretch, she has found a new appreciation for life – for the little things. She loves Amelia so much, but is growing resentful. She understands why Amelia does what she does, but it doesn’t feel good.
As competing priorities and shifting perspectives create tension, a seemingly simple dinner becomes a space for confrontation, vulnerability, and reflection.
