Six Southeast Asian short films that speak to the soul

When we first shared our curated short film selection on Instagram – “Six Inspiring Cinematic Visions from Southeast Asia” – we knew we had tapped into something special. The overwhelming resonance from our community made it clear: These stories, though brief in format, echo long in spirit.

At Digital Fashion Week, our runway has always extended beyond fashion. We believe that true artistry emerges at the intersection of culture, identity, and expression. And cinema – perhaps more than any other medium – allows us to witness those intersections unfold in raw, visual poetry.

This editorial expands on the original post, offering space to spotlight the emotional depth, cultural nuance, and visual storytelling embedded in each of these award-winning short films. These six cinematic gems traverse coastlines, cityscapes, and ancestral lands, each revealing the soul of Southeast Asia through intimate human experiences.

🌊 Laut Memanggilku (The Sea Calls for Me) – Indonesia

Directed by Tumpal Tampubolon

Set against a shoreline cluttered with remnants of modern life, Laut Memanggilku invites us into a boy’s quiet world of solitude and longing. Visually rich and emotionally restrained, the film examines the human need for connection amid desolation. Its costume and setting speak volumes – tattered fabric and weatherworn textures mirror the emotional terrain of its young protagonist.

Audiences have praised the film’s “quiet intensity” and “astonishingly beautiful” coastal visuals, describing it as suspenseful and touching. Its emotionally evocative imagery leaves viewers in contemplative silence long after the credits roll.

🏆 Winner of the Sonje Award for Best Asian Short Film at Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

🎒Boys – Malaysia

Directed by Fabian Loo

Marking actor Fabian Loo’s directorial debut, Boys is a touching ode to adolescence, vulnerability, and familial tension. The film’s emotional resonance is matched by its visual minimalism – school uniforms, kitchen tiles, and the gaze of a mother tell stories words do not. This is storytelling that exudes honesty and sincerity.

Critics call it an “intimate, delicate, authentic” narrative. YouTube viewers and film critics alike highlight its quiet emotional weight and layered simplicity. As one reviewer said, “It juxtaposes innocence and guilt with a tenderness that lingers.”

🌟 Strong reception across YouTube and film critic circles for emotional subtlety.

🎻 The Headhunter’s Daughter – Philippines

Directed by Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan

A poetic tale of cultural connection and quiet strength, this film follows a young Indigenous woman navigating her way through misty mountains in search of purpose. The interplay between tradition and modernity is palpable – not only in narrative but in costume, where cowboy hats meet tribal textures in a visual metaphor for identity in flux.

Praised by The Film Verdict as “evocative and gripping,” and called “dreamlike and expansive” by Criterion Channel, the film is celebrated for its authentic voice and captivating atmosphere.

🏆 Grand Jury Prize for Short Film at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.

📷 Adam – Singapore

Directed by Shoki Lin

Adam is a standout for its delicate portrayal of a young boy navigating familial complexity and self-discovery in Singapore’s HDB heartlands. Its subtle yet powerful direction is wrapped in muted tones and lived-in environments – underscoring how culture isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s quiet resilience in the everyday.

Reviewers commend its “measured, non-intrusive” storytelling and its powerful sound design. Cannes and SGIFF audiences alike highlight the film’s emotional maturity and narrative confidence.

🏆 Best Singapore Short Film at SGIFF. Official selection at Cannes Cinéfondation.

⛅ Sky Exit – Thailand

Directed by Wonderland Films

In Sky Exit, we follow characters confronted by fate and moral crossroads. The backdrop – a post-apocalyptic-like landscape – acts as both metaphor and mirror, pushing viewers to consider how environment shapes destiny. Simple costumes and barren settings strip distractions, letting raw emotion take centre stage.

Though online reviews are limited, its reception at the Asian Academy Creative Awards and local Thai film circles has been quietly positive. Its mood-driven aesthetic earns it praise for tension and atmospheric immersion.

🏅 Honourable Mention at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2023.

🌳 Khun Rung Cua Pao (The Forest of Pao) – Vietnam

Directed by Nguyen Pham Thanh Dat

Based on the life of his best friend, this film dives deep into the Hmong community’s lived realities – love, loyalty, and the weight of choice. The director captures a cultural duality: tradition woven with change. Vibrant textiles worn by children and elders alike visually narrate a tale of heritage in motion.

Winning the Best Short Film at the Hanoi International Film Festival, it has been celebrated for its authentic voice and emotional integrity. Audiences describe it as heartfelt, with deep respect for its cultural roots.

🏆 Best Short Film at the Hanoi International Film Festival.

✨Why these stories matter

What binds these films isn’t just their critical acclaim – it’s their ability to evoke empathy across borders. In each frame, Southeast Asia is alive with tension and tenderness, struggle and serenity.

The costumes, environments, and textures – though subtle – form an unspoken language. In fashion, we talk about silhouette and fabric. In film, it becomes character and place. The two worlds are intertwined, and these stories remind us that what we wear, and where we wear it, are part of the narrative.

These films invite us to look closer. Not just at Southeast Asia, but at ourselves – at what it means to belong, to endure, and to dream.

💬 From IG post to editorial spotlight…

“We’ve meticulously curated award-winning short films that showcase diverse cultures, profound human connections, and truly inspiring narratives from the region. Each film is a testament to incredible talent.”

We couldn’t have said it better in 220 characters. But some stories are too powerful to be swiped past – they deserve to be felt, shared, and seen in full.

So here’s our deeper dive. May these cinematic visions speak to your soul, as they did to ours.

📌 Editor’s note: Got a Southeast Asian short film or filmmaker to recommend for our next DFW Curates series? Drop us a DM or email. We’re always watching – quietly, curiously, passionately.