
January 23 , 2025 - Bangkok, Thailand - CCCL announces 28 short films in the competition program for the 5th edition of the CCCL Film Festival.
This year, selected from a record-breaking 813 short film submissions, 28 short films were selected for the main competition, comprising 18 documentary films and 10 non-documentary films. Among these, there are 14 Thai short films and 14 short films from other Asian countries.
The 28 selected short films will compete for main awards in the documentary and non-documentary categories, and special awards, including the Young Filmmaker Award, the Founder's Special Award, and the Audience Choice Award, with a total prize value of 250,000 Baht.
CCCL Film Festival will take place from February 15 to 16, 2025 at the Alliance Française Bangkok. The nationwide satellite screenings will run from February 17 to 23, 2025. Free registration begins February 3, 2025 on www.ccclfilmfestival.com. See the full list of short films in the competition below.
Documentary Competition
AKKHA DIN, AKKHI RAAT (ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT)
DIR. Priya Naresh, Palak Patel, Aniket Kolarkar / India / 8.40 min
This documentary explores the bond between a 13-year-old girl and water in Ahmedabad’s largest landfill area. Amid contaminated borewells, poor water distribution, and monsoon floods from the landfill, the narrative unfolds her daily struggle for clean water. The film highlights resilience and humanity’s fragile connection to water in the face of adversity.
APHĒT SPECIES
DIR. Panitarn Boontarig / Thailand / 8.40 min
An unnatural event in a valley village leaves the villagers wary of a strange sound emanating from the sky, as if warning of an impending invasion of abnormalities. This film explores the calamities in nature and the origins of the ""APHĒT"" phenomenon, examining its ties to Dhamma, alien species, and human nature.
BALOD SA KINABUHI (WAVE OF LIFE)
DIR. Febe Bongato / Philippines / 10 min
In the aftermath of Typhoon Odette, an elderly fishing couple struggles with famine and the devastating impact on their lives and livelihood. The once-bountiful seas now yield only a handful of fish—barely enough to stave off hunger. Their journey on a small rowboat underscores the fragility of life amid a changing ocean.
BENDEN SANA (OVER TO YOU)
DIR. Tao Farren-Hefer / Turkey / 7.30 min
Benden Sana is a documentary offering an intimate look into the life of Aunt Ilknur from Gerce, a small town on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. She has been a strong force in protecting the environment in her community amidst the encroachment of capital-driven industries. Moreover, how will she pass on the spirit of love and care for these resources to future generations?
BIT BY BIT
DIR. Theingi Win Tin / Myanmar / 13 min
As seconds turn into minutes, and minutes into years, the relentless erosion of the Sittaung River steadily devours the land. U Pwar Gyi and his wife witness the destruction of homes, farmlands, and the painful separations of friends and families. This documentary captures the villagers’ resilience as they rebuild their lives, wondering how much longer Nat Yay Kan can endure by the river.
KENTARO
DIR. Tilmann Stewart, Gaku Matsuda / Australia, Japan / 15 min
This short documentary follows 11-year-old Kentaro, the first child born in 25 years in the remote mountainous village of Kawakami. After the Great Japanese Earthquake, Miho and Hiro Yokobori left Tokyo to start anew in this isolated community, bringing hope to a village grappling with Japan’s aging population and declining birth rates. Through Kentaro’s daily life, the film explores rural living, his bond with nature, and the balance between preserving heritage and embracing a hopeful future.
MURK! (EXPLORING SINGAPORE FROM BELOW)
DIR. Nikki Tan / Singapore / 15 min.
Unlike other destinations in Southeast Asia, diving conditions in Singapore are limited. However, beneath the murk lies a wealth of beauty waiting to be discovered. Inspired by Singapore’s rich biodiversity, a group of underwater photographers come together to document the intricate marine life in these waters, advocating for greater love and protection of the ocean.
RED OCEAN
DIR. Jessada Khimsook / Thailand / 15 min.
This documentary highlights the critical mission of marine veterinarians working to save rare marine animals suffering from injuries or chronic illnesses that threaten their survival. These dangers arise from both climate change and human activities. The race against time to rescue these animals underscores the vital role of marine conservation in sustaining ecosystems.
UNDERSTOREY
DIR. Claire Riverland, Lily Newcombe / Australia, Malaysia / 7 min.
Understorey captures the passion and resilience of Sarawak’s dedicated conservation community, delving into the challenges and hopes of preserving Malaysia’s natural heritage. Renowned for its lush rainforests, Sarawak is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, both large and small, thriving beneath the canopy. Behind the breathtaking beauty of these natural sanctuaries lies a relentless struggle, driven by the collective efforts of individuals, organizations, and the government.
VOICE OF สี่กอ (VOICE OF 4 KOR)
DIR. Siras Urakaew / Thailand / 10 min
As the path of development threatens to cut through their community, the people of Si Kor face significant changes brought by the expressway project in Phuket. Their voices echo the impacts on both the ecosystem and their livelihoods. This documentary explores their determination to preserve the green spaces that define their community."
WHERE IS THE SHEPHERD BOY?
DIR. Nguyen Hoang Viet /Viet Nam / 15 min.
As climate change extends the drought season, only sheep and shepherds remain in this land. Following clues from past photographs, we search for a shepherd boy who once appeared in them. Along the way, farmers share their struggles with a drought that can last up to nine months, making this the driest land in Vietnam. Their future remains uncertain."
ตั๋วเที่ยวเดียวสู่ยอดภูกระดึง (ONE WAY TICKET TO THE TOP)
DIR. Kawin Sirichantakul / Thailand / 15 min
Phu Kradueng National Park, a heart-shaped sandstone mountain rich in nature and biodiversity, features a demanding 9-kilometer walking trail that tests visitors’ endurance. For decades, the proposed cable car project has been the subject of intense debate. This documentary examines what this development for convenience demands in exchange—and what we may lose forever.
เปลวไฟเมือง (URBAN FLAMES)
DIR. Atawee Khositpatipat / Thailand / 15 min.
This documentary amplifies the voices of residents of all ages from a community in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei District, enduring the sweltering heat of Thailand’s summer. With limited resources, they face the added challenge of rebuilding their lives after a devastating fire destroyed their homes on April 26, 2024.
ภูเขาคำราม (MOUNTAIN ROARS)
DIR. Pobwarat Maprasob, Chonchanok Thanatteepwong / Thailand / 13.30 min
Beneath the rippling mountains and the tremors of explosions lies a world of wonder and mystery, hidden within its caves, streams, and forests. Eerie colors illuminate the landscape as a young man and woman attempt to piece together the puzzle of this enigmatic place."
ยังคงอยู่ (NEVER CHANGED)
DIR. Phuwaphon Utaka, Chanisara Hommuang / Thailand / 6 min.
Located near the Mun River, the Hat Suan Suk community has endured countless floods. Each disaster brings pain and loss, yet the residents choose to stay. Adapting for survival is no easy task, and the destruction and changes caused by each flood cannot be measured or replaced by money.
เรื่องราวสีดำจากทะเลสีคราม (CHRONICLE OF BLUE)
DIR. Issaree Arunprasert / Thailand / 9.40 min
Living in burrows along the seashore, soldier crabs are tiny creatures that emerge to forage during low tide and retreat to their holes during high tide or times of danger. However, their population has significantly declined, much like the corals beneath the sea that are beginning to bleach. Environmental problems are creeping up faster than we realize, highlighting the fragility of the ecosystem and the urgent need to address these changes.
เสียงสะท้อนจากแม่โขง (ECHO OF MEKONG)
DIR. Participants of the 2nd Mekong Film Workshop / Thailand / 13 min
Echo of Mekong is more than the sound of flowing waters; it embodies the voices of those living along its banks, fighting to protect what they love and cherish. They strive to preserve this natural heritage for future generations, even as they confront the overwhelming waves of change that threaten to engulf them.
ສວນສ ຸກໃຈ (MY HAPPY GARDEN)
DIR. George Hiraoka Cloke / Laos / 8 min
My Happy Garden is a short documentary that highlights the environmental commitment of Lao activist Souksavoy Ketiemchan. Through sensory macro-cinematography, environmental soundscapes, and insightful interviews, the film invites viewers to connect with the more-than-human world within its beautiful ecosystem and its struggle against the ecological destruction caused by climate change.
Non-DOcumentary Competition
BANDUNG 2045 : A STORY FROM THE SOUTH
DIR. Dava Gibran / Indonesia / 8 min
Set a few years after a massive flood devastated the southern city, Tsabit and his little brother live with their father following their mother’s death. His little brother, often asking where their mother has gone, comes to believe she has peacefully journeyed to the moon. Driven by this curiosity, Tsabit sets out to build an artificial rocket to take them there. But will he be able to fulfill his brother’s heartfelt request?
ENOUGH
DIR. Absone Oriabel Mesnil / Thailand / 13.20 min
ENOUGH is a slice-of-life short film that follows Lila, a designer in her late 20s, as she navigates what appears to be a typical, meticulously planned morning routine. However, all is not as it seems when she confronts a stark reality, leading to a life-altering decision.
ICE BREAKER
DIR. Chayanee Niljianskul / Thailand / 12 min
Li, the youngest daughter in a Thai-Chinese family, feels stifled by her parents' conservative mindset. Meanwhile, her brother has moved to Phuket for work, and her sister is preparing to travel across the world in search of new opportunities. The film weaves the family's relationships together with pressing issues of climate change.
NOSEBLEED
DIR. Tanathorn Tanalekhaphat, Kantapon Duangdee / Thailand / 15 min
It’s a chaotic day for Kaning, a high school girl who recently won a poetry contest to promote tourism in her province. As she prepares to take the stage and recite her poem at a school event, a sudden nosebleed stains her uniform. How will Kaning, a rising star terrified of embarrassment, navigate this tumultuous day with grace."
SALT SELLERS
DIR. Maryam Samadi / Belgium, Iran / 14.30 min
A pregnant woman living by Lake Urmia, where she and her husband make a living selling salt, faces the risk of miscarriage due to salt storms caused by climate change and human activity. They plan to move to the city after selling their property, but until then, the woman struggles to protect her unborn child from the dangers of their environment."
SAN SIMON
DIR. Denbert Maño Tiamson / Philippines / 10 min.
After years in the United States, Miguel returns to the Philippines as a young man. Revisiting his hometown in Pampanga, he is flooded with memories of dreams and cherished moments shared with his childhood friend Simon. Carrying a souvenir from America, Miguel discovers that Simon is no longer there to meet him."
TOMORROW, TO FEEL
DIR. Maki Makilan / Philippines / 15 min
Amid the height of the climate crisis and economic collapse in late 2040s Manila, Wax and Phil’s deteriorating relationship is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Wax’s brother, seeking temporary refuge in their apartment. Forced to pause their lives, the couple navigates clarity amidst scarcity, rediscovering an old longing—to feel.
ศึกสุดท้ายก่อนโลกสุก (MAXI OUT)
DIR. Chidchanok Ratchatapreuk, Thanapon Conkum, Utchara Rabuy / Thailand / 9 min
The natural abundance of a once-peaceful island is disrupted by land clearing to make way for resorts and high-rise buildings. Squirrels, displaced from their forest habitat, are forced to seek new shelter. Amid the scorching heat, a girl’s air-conditioned room becomes their target. The squirrels launch an unrelenting operation to claim the space as their own.
อเวจีสีขาว (ULTRAMARINE)
DIR. Thanaphat Puangsuwan / Thailand / 7 min.
A small fish struggles to survive amid coral bleaching caused by rising ocean temperatures due to global warming. As coral reefs around the world fail to provide habitat and food for marine life, a massive migration of creatures begins in the changing underwater world.
콘 (CONE)
DIR. Yoo Ji-in / South Korea / 15 min.
Seven-year-old Minwoo takes on a weekly summer challenge from the children’s TV show Mission In: Reduce Waste to win a one-of-a-kind special gift.
About CCCL
Founded by Christopher G. Moore in November 2019, Changing Climate Changing Lives (CCCL) Film Festival aims to raise awareness about climate change through the power of short films. CCCL provides a platform for filmmakers, artists and communities in Thailand and beyond to visualize stories relating to one of the biggest global challenges of our times, climate change.
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