In Noppavin Chittasy‘s short documentary film “Heir to the Artisanship of Lane Xang,” we meet Nelanith Lattanakone, a grandson in the Lattanakone silversmith family in Luang Prabang. At 23 years old, Nelanith is focused on developing his artistic skills and continuing the family business with knowledge passed down from the Lane Xang era. This profile of Nelanith will showcase traditional cultural expressions in Luang Prabang.

LFF 2023 funding will support Ting Veu in the the pre-production development of 100 Years of Taiwania, a documentary feature about a remote Hmong village on the Laos/Vietnam border struggling to protect the Taiwania tree from illegal logging. Sacred to the Hmong people, Taiwania trees are now endangered. The loss of the trees means a loss of livelihood as well as the loss of traditional cultural expressions and important religious rites in the Hmong community.

In “Khaopiek Koksomsa,” Director Khamphat Her introduces us to Auntie Phet, the subject of this short documentary exploring the challenges and rewards of running a noodle shop. For many years she has served Khaopiek to students and civil servants — not from a shop, but from under a rain tree near the National University of Laos in Vientiane.

In Soukchinda Douangphachanh‘s “Love From the City Center,” two brothers in Luang Prabang must sell Mak Beng on the streets to earn money for their family. Set during the annual Festival of Lights, traditional customs of Luang Prabang are entwined in this short fictional film told from the point of view of the brothers.

“My Art Diary,” directed by Pakhornkham Boualek, will be the first episode in a planned series of short documentaries highlighting contemporary artists in Laos. Three artists who use scissors as one of their tools will be featured. Tcheu Siong, a self-taught artist, applies the traditional Hmong techniques of embroidery and reverse applique, to create bold figurative works of cloth. Keomany Souvannalth uses fabric scraps to create collage “paintings” of the dreams of the happiness of women. Khampoun Seangmany is a young designer who considers his creations to be artworks that are worn.

From condemnation of swidden (often confused with ‘slash and burn’) agriculture on social media to a more nuanced understanding of the reasons behind it, Hatthouna Manivongsy’s “P.M. 2.5” follows Namvone, a passionate writer, to a rural village to see first-hand the struggle for survival by people with few options. Working with Khmu villagers, this short social satire will highlight the culture of the Khmu ethnic group including their existence alongside nature and their traditional beliefs.

Writer Keo Yang and Director Khamla Lao team up on “The Rock – The Spirit of Our Ancestors,” a short documentary about the Kaokayeng, a significant site for Hmong people where wishes can be made in return for an oath. From her village in the mountains in Luang Prabang province, Keo Yang will share history and beliefs passed down from ancient times and provide perspectives from young Hmong people on traditional Hmong culture.

Director Phonesavanh Saengphachan and producer Misouda Heuangsoukkhoun are working together on  “The Sound from the Silent World,” a short drama about a young girl who has lost her voice and is bullied at her school. A special gift from a stranger changes her tragic life, but must be sacrificed to protect the one she loves. Music will feature as a voice in this film with limited dialogue exploring issues around harassment, LGBTQ, and disabilities.

In the horror short “The Witness,” producer Kongchan Phiennachit and director Mitpasa Sitthihukpanya explore consequences of witnessing domestic violence as a child. Inspired by a viral social media clip and set in present-day Laos, the film aims to question the role of memories, superstition, and fate in the actions that perpetuate violence.

In Wravong Phrachanh‘s 49 Hours Left, Thananxay dies and discovers the afterlife is not at all what he expects — and that he has a limited window of time to return to his former life to learn what he needs to do in order to move on. Waravong, who is making this animated short film with the Anatomoir team, has won acclaim for other projects from the Vientianale, Lane Xang Shorts, Digicon 6, and the Lao Short Film Awards. 

A Khmu-language story by Dorn Bouttasing, “A Boat in the Road” follows Ked, who senses ominous occurrences in her region, as she travels barefoot through local villages in search of the root of the unexpected changes. Dorn received LFF support in 2016 for Let’s Love, which was selected in 2020 for streaming on INDIEflix, a platform dedicated to films about social issues.

Lathsamee Thammavong’s story of virtual relationships in the pandemic era, “The Cyber Love” follows Pani as she discovers the dark side of a social media romance and attempts to escape its consequences. Lathsamee is a student at the National University of Laos and recently won an award for Best Editing for “Calls from the Future” at the Lao Short Film Awards 2021. 

“Ghost Stories” is a three-part comedy series produced and directed by Ka Xiong and Simon Cote of Malao Studios. It chronicles Lao friends traveling to the countryside in a colorful tuk-tuk in hopes of finding the ghosts from the Lao folk stories they’ve heard since they were children. An award-winning photographer and cinematographer, Ka received LFF support in 2016 for “Melody of Change.”

In Vongphasith Chanphakeo‘s The Lottery, a group of young friends in Luang Prabang devises a way to garner enough lottery winnings to settle debts and keep a family together. The film is a directorial debut for Vongphasith, who starred in “A long Way Home” by Xaysongkham Inchanthy, and, more recently, Sonepaseuth Phanpila’s 2020 LFF-supported film, Absence of Sound.

Khonesavanh Boulom’s The Luminous tells the story of a foreigner who moves to a small Lao village on behalf of the mining company he works for; there, he discovers love, a passion for traditional Lao boxing, and the unwelcome truth about his employers. Khonsavanh, who also wrote the script for The Luminous, is a photographer and cinematographer who has worked with Lao New Wave Cinema, GPSLAO, Unilever Lao, and Comfort Products in cooperation with Miss Universe Lao 2020.

“The Mine,” a documentary short by Chansamai Phanouvong, will present traditional Katu weaving with raw materials from nature, alongside the folkways and traditional knowledge that sustains lives in harmony with the environment. Chansamai’s most recent project was “BoTen – BoPiad,” produced for the anthology Stories from the Train (2020).

Out of Breath, a project of Ken Pitsapheng and Athidxay (Ding) Bouandaoheuang, is based on a true story, portraying the ‘new normal’ in Luang Prabang, where Sone’s everyday struggles to succeed in the World Heritage city are turned upside down by the pandemic. A longtime volunteer for LPFF, Ken produced “This is the Railroad, Mechanism of Life,” for the anthology Stories from the Train (2020). A co-founder of Lao New Wave Studios, Ding’s latest is the short film “The Trait,” to be released at the end of 2021.

Thavisub Khamphoumee‘s “Pencil Box” reveals the absurdity of a peculiar high-school competition. A founder of Invoker Productions in Vientiane, Thavisub has won various awards for his short films; most recently, “Three Wishes” took the prize for best cinematography at the Lao Short Film Awards 2021.

Khamla Lao‘s “Souvenir from Luang Prabang” explores the impact of tourism — and its prolonged absence during the pandemic — on a traditional foodway, khaipaen, of Northern Laos. Khamla is currently studying mass communication at Souphanouvong University and has undergone training in film and photography at My Library in Luang Prabang, where he currently also teaches photography.

In Soukthavone Thanomenon‘s “The Story of Naa,” a young girl finds herself at the center of a social media firestorm after her actions are misunderstood; in the weeks to follow, she comes to question the impact of charitable giving and the lingering inequity around her. The founder of OK Good Film Maker, Soukthavone started his career as a photographer and has produced and directed several short films and commercial projects.

Phanumad Disattha’s Sepia follows Phet, a woman who has recently discovered she’s pregnant. However, the father has disappeared. Through a journey full of twists and turns, Phet travels to the small town of Thakek to learn about her mysterious past. Phanumad works with Lao New Wave Cinema and was an instructor in LPFF’s Pop-Up Studio.

Sonepasith Phanphila’s Absence of Sound tells the story of Fai, a young woman who develops a close mentorship relationship with her young neighbour Noy, who is deaf-mute. Despite a series of obstacles, Fai becomes inspired to help people  with hearing disabilities. Sonepasith has won first place in three of LPFF’s film competitions, and has participated as an instructor for LPFF’s “How to Tell a Story” series and its Pop-Up Studio.

Xam Keodongdy’s short documentary “Stone Buddha Statues” introduces viewers to Father Kikham, the son of the original stone carving master in his village in Pakse. Xam received a Lao Filmmakers Fund grant in 2019 for his film, “In the Shadows,” and a “Many Voices, One Laos” grant from LPFF in 2018 for his film, “The Apprentice Singer.”

Phonesavanh Saengphachan’s short fiction film “J-ID” is a psychological thriller that centers on a young woman dealing with trauma from previous abuse. Phonesavanh has worked as an assistant director on a series of Lao movies such as “Above It All” (2015) and “Expiration Date” (2019).

Ting Veu’s short fiction film “Time Missing” portrays the triumphs of a teenage girl who accidentally becomes pregnant. Ting Veu received a “Many Voices, One Laos” grant from LPFF in 2018 for his film, “The Flower on the Mountaintop.”

Anouphon Phomhacsar’s short fiction film “The Service,” follows a young woman who moves from the countryside to the city, where she learns to overcome adversity in pursuit of education. Anouphon is an established photographer and an emerging filmmaker.

Thanouphet Onmavong’s short fiction film “The Boy” is the story of two boys who find themselves involved in a small crime. When only one is arrested, their lives unfold in different directions. Thanouphet is an emerging filmmaker who established the Vientiane Studio and developed the online program for the National University of Laos.

Lee Phongsvananh’s The Signal is a feature film that walks the line between rom-com and sci-fi, focusing on the relationship between Namfon (an underprivileged young woman from a rural town) and a spirit-like figure named Max. Lee has previously won a Lao Filmmakers Fund grant for his short documentary Motion of Life 2 (2014), and co-wrote a 2018 grantee project, Expiration Date, with Anysay Keola. He is a two-time winner of the Vientianale Short Film Festival, and his short film “A Wildlife Move” placed third in LPFF’s American Film Week competition. The Signal will be Lee’s first feature.

Mitpasa Sitthihackpanya’s short film “The Blanket” champions unconditional love about all else, and touches on the need for community and family support. In this film, a seven year-old boy from a rural Lao village becomes responsible for his younger siblings and mother, when his father goes off to the city in search of work. Mitpasa has previously been involved with LPFF through its projects “Love Laos, Keep it Clean” (2016) and “Many Voices, One Laos” (2018). She also participated in a Busan Film Commission workshop in 2017.

Xam Keodoungdy’s In the Shadows is a short documentary about a shadow-puppet master from southern Laos and his fight to preserve this dying art form. The documentary will move between a shadow-puppet performance and the master’s day-to-day struggles. Xam is an emerging Lao filmmaker who received a “Many Voices, One Laos” grant from LPFF in 2018 for his film, The Apprentice Singer.

Kansouda Khammanivong and Xaysawanh Thammavong’s short film, Depression, aims to deal with the topic of mental illness and familial pressures through an exploration of two teenage girls’ daily lives. LPFF is excited to see these young emerging filmmakers approach the complex topic of mental health in Laos in a different way. Xaysawanh and Kansouda have made a number of short films within @My Library workshops. In an effort to support the team’s capacity-building, LPFF has connected them with filmmaker and former LFF grantee Ka Xiong, who will act as a mentor for this project.

Vannaphone (Kino) Sitthirath is the producer of Expiration Date, a live-action feature film. The story centers on Khai — a man with the ability to foresee the end of relationships — and Khaun — a woman seeking revenge for her best friend’s abandonment.

Xaisongkham Induangchanthy‘s Raising A Beast is a feature-length coming-of-age drama about a Hmong sister and brother who must groom their bull into a prize fighter in order to support their family.

Somchit Kittisak is the director of a short fiction film, “Flame of Fire.” The story follows two young boys struggling to maintain their friendship throughout their diverging life paths. Somchit’s story features Khmu characters, giving screen time to an ethnic group currently underrepresented in Lao film. As part of Somchit’s project, LPFF paired him with an established Lao filmmaker for mentorship.

Dorn Bouttasing‘s Let’s Love is a short fiction film about Mai, a young woman learning to navigate a society that doesn’t accept her sexuality. This film aims to bring attention to the challenges of identifying as LGBTQIA+ in Laos. Dorn shot much of her film in her hometown, Xieng Khouang, to show the reality of LGBTQIA+ communities in Laos’ more remote areas.

Ka Xiong‘s A Melody of Change is a short fiction film about a mysterious woman named Hongfa. Hongfa travels through a remote village in Northern Laos, and uses music to bring together the divided Khmu and Hmong communities. As part of the film’s production process, musicians in the region composed an original soundtrack using traditional instruments and melodies.

Beyond the Power is Light Flare Team‘s science fiction film project about four teenagers with superpowers, who team up to stop an evil corporation from creating an army of superhumans and starting World War III. The Light Flare Team specializes in CGI effects. Director Palinya Sayyamoungkhoun won the Outstanding Technical Achievement award for his short film, “300 Seconds”, at the Mini-Vientianale Film Festival.

Unlikely Friendship by Lao Children’s Workshop is a short fiction film that follows three young friends along their respective journeys to their Khmu, Hmong, and Lao villages. The crew is comprised of five young students from the Luang Prabang Orphanage School, whose films screened in the Mini-Vientianale’s Short Film Competition.

Suliyachak Phuntulad’s Candlelight is a short film about the conflict between two students from different backgrounds in the same class. The film is a project by the Savannakhet University Movie Club. This student-run group consists of Mass Media and English students, who work together to make short films and learn about writing and shooting movies. This was the second film the team made together.

The Long Walk by Mattie Do is a feature-length supernatural thriller. It follows a subsistence farmer, living on the fringes of rural Laos, who develops an obsession with the amnesiac spirit of an accident victim that haunts the dirt road where she died. Continuing with her favored theme of the supernatural, this is the Lao-American director’s third feature film. Her sophomore title, “Dearest Sister,” screened at the 2015 Luang Prabang Film Festival.

Xaisongkham Induangchanthy‘s Those Below is a short film that highlights the effects of the secret war in Laos. Although the war ended more than four decades ago, its legacies remain and continue to haunt those affected — be it Lao villagers living in UXO-contaminated areas, or veterans in the USA. This film was Induangchanthy’s thesis project for his MFA Film degree at City College of New York.

Vilayphong “Lee” Phongsavanh‘s Motion of Life is a short documentary about free-running in Laos. This film highlights a new sport popular with Lao youth, which requires physical strength, dedication, speed and agility. Lee shot most of the film with a drone, against the background of Laos’ most significant historical and cultural sites.

Xaisongkham Induangchanthy‘s Against the Tide is a short fiction film that tells the story of Mr. Leum, an older fisherman from the 4000 Islands in Southern Laos. This film focuses on the Lao generational differences in values between the young and old populations in the country. While some believe material goods might make you happy, others feel content with what they have.

Phonevilay Keopaseuth‘s The Choices addresses the issue of young women coming from rural Lao provinces to find work in Vientiane. The women often take jobs in factories, but the need for fast income for themselves and their families drive them to seek other sources of financial support.