Lanhua Ma's Chowmein Holiday Short Live Action Film presents a masterfully composed cinematic frame capturing a moment of human interaction rendered in the warm, saturated palette characteristic of co

Lanhua Ma's Chowmein Holiday Short Live Action Film presents a cinematic frame saturated with warm, golden-amber luminosity that bathes the entire composition in the nostalgic glow of late afternoon s

Lanhua Ma's Chowmein Holiday Short Live Action Film presents a cinematic frame capturing a burgundy convertible traversing a serpentine asphalt ribbon through an expansive arid landscape, establishing

Warm golden light suffuses a contemporary diner interior captured in cinematic wide aspect ratio, establishing a richly saturated chromatic environment dominated by amber, burnt sienna, and ochre tone

Silver Movie, Video and Animation Design · 2026

Chowmein Holiday Short Live Action Film

by Lanhua Ma

A' Design Award 2026 Silver Winner in Movie, Video and Animation Design
Awarded April 15, 2026
CLIENT: Iris Lanhua Ma
Estimated Number of Design Views: 29,413
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About Chowmein Holiday Short Live Action Film

Chowmein Holiday is a short dark comedy film about two Asian American grandmothers, Li Ling and May, on a road trip across California. The two characters begin a crime spree during the journey. One grandmother finds a new purpose in life, while the other keeps a secret from her partner in crime. The film was made to question common cinematic stereotypes of elderly women. Asian American grandmothers are shown not as quiet or docile figures, but as rebellious people seeking freedom, thrill and new meaning in later life. The running time is twenty one minutes.

Lanhua Ma's Chowmein Holiday Short Live Action Film emerges from a rich tradition of road cinema that celebrates the transformative journey as both physical passage and metaphorical exploration of human connection across generational boundaries. The film still on display demonstrates exceptional compositional intelligence, utilizing the confined space of a vintage convertible to create an intimate frame within a frame that draws viewers into the nuanced dynamics between characters. The cinematographic approach evidences careful attention to the qualities of natural light, capturing the particular warmth and softness of late afternoon desert illumination that bathes the subjects in tones reminiscent of classic sun-drenched cinema. The chromatic choices reveal sophisticated understanding of color psychology, with the bold red of the vehicle establishing energy and passion while the warm skin tones and amber interior create an atmosphere of comfort and familiarity. The inclusion of distinctive costume elements, particularly the leopard print headscarf and vintage athletic wear, suggests characters with fully realized identities whose sartorial choices speak to personal histories and cultural touchstones. The work engages with universal themes of adventure, companionship, and the unexpected encounters that punctuate life's journey, rendered through a visual language that honors both documentary authenticity and the heightened reality of cinematic storytelling. The positioning of uniformed figures at the edge of the frame introduces narrative possibility without resolution, inviting viewers to construct their own interpretations of the unfolding encounter. One might consider how the artist employs the vehicle not merely as setting but as symbol, a vessel of freedom and mobility that carries its occupants through both geographical and emotional territories, suggesting questions about where such journeys ultimately lead.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: Chowmein Holiday is a dark comedy following two Asian American grandmas, Li Ling and May, on a wild road trip. They embark on an exhilarating crime spree across California. During this journey, one discovers a new purpose in life, while the other harbors a hidden secret from her partner in crime.
Dimensions & Packaging: Medium: Digital Video 4K. Genre: Dark Comedy Short Film. Total Running Time: 21 minutes. Visuals: Full Color. Aspect Ratio: 2.85:1. Audio: Stereo and Surround Sound Mix. Release Year: 2025. Country of Origin: United States. Language: English.
Tags: Dark Comedy, Short Film, Asian American Cinema, Elderly Protagonists, Grandmas, Road Trip Movie, Crime Spree, California Landscapes, Female Empowerment, Rebellion, Aging and Identity, Iris Lanhua Ma, Independent Filmmaking, Cinematic Storytelling
Production Technology: The project was realized entirely through high definition digital cinema technology. The production utilized advanced digital cinema cameras and professional grade lenses to capture the vibrant, sun drenched aesthetics of the California landscape. The realization process involved sophisticated on location sound recording, dynamic lighting setups to enhance the dark comedic tone, and comprehensive post production workflows. This included precise color grading to reflect the shifting moods of the journey, digital sound mixing, and seamless editing techniques to maintain the energetic pacing of a crime spree narrative.
Design Challenge: The primary creative challenge lay in mastering the delicate tonal balance between absurd dark comedy and genuine emotional depth. It was crucial to ensure that the criminal actions of the two grandmas felt believable and rooted in their desperate search for purpose, rather than coming across as mere caricature. Furthermore, executing a dynamic road trip narrative within the constraints of an independent short film format required rigorous logistical planning. The team had to overcome the challenges of shooting across multiple California locations while maintaining visual consistency and keeping the emotional core of the two protagonists at the forefront of every single scene.
Project Duration: Principal photography and production took place across various scenic and urban locations throughout Southern California, United States, using the diverse landscapes to visually represent the characters' physical and emotional journey. The final digital film is slated for its official premiere and festival circuit run in the year 2025, screened at LA Shorts.
Operation Flow: The audience is immediately thrust into a fast paced, visually engaging twenty one minute cinematic experience. The narrative flow is meticulously structured to balance moments of high stakes criminal activity with quiet, character driven interactions. Viewers interact with the film emotionally, experiencing a rollercoaster of dark humor, shock, and profound empathy. The pacing accelerates as the road trip progresses, mirroring the escalating tension of the hidden secret, ultimately guiding the audience toward a thought provoking and emotionally resonant climax.
Research: The foundational research for this project deeply examined the intersection of aging, cultural identity, and the psychology of female rebellion. The creator conducted qualitative observations regarding the lived experiences and unspoken frustrations of elderly Asian American women, exploring how societal invisibility can act as a catalyst for radical behavior. Additionally, the research encompassed a structural analysis of successful dark comedies and buddy road movies, studying how to effectively blend absurd criminal situations with authentic, grounded emotional arcs to create a culturally resonant and highly entertaining narrative.
Inspiration: The film is inspired by the desire to subvert traditional cinematic stereotypes of elderly women. It reimagines Asian American grandmas not as quiet or docile figures, but as complex, rebellious individuals seeking liberation, thrill, and new meaning in their later years through an unconventional adventure.
Image Credits: Images courtesy of Iris Lanhua Ma