CinemaWorld has announced the successful conclusion of the 2025 CinemaSHORT Asian Short Film Competition, which culminated in an exclusive Awards Gala Night on 10 October. The competition’s second edition attracted 699 submissions across 25 territories, underscoring the breadth and vitality of Asia’s emerging filmmaking talent.
The Awards Gala, attended by award winners, industry representatives, and media, celebrated the outstanding achievements of this year’s winners through screenings of selected works and a formal prize presentation ceremony.
Key award recipients included:
- Best Narrative Short Film: Fishtank by Chinese filmmaker Tang Wendi, recognised for its cinematic, imaginative and original storytelling.
- Best Animation Short Film: Stacy by Taiwanese filmmaker Lin Yi-Ling, commended for its creative visual style, as well as its raw and heartfelt story.
- Audience Choice Award & Singapore Spotlight Award (Mediacorp): One Last Supper by Singaporean filmmaker Jerold Lim, earned filmmaker industry passes to the 2025 Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), on top of the cash prize. During the ceremony, CinemaWorld further announced the prize of a fully sponsored trip to participate in the Talents Hub at Jakarta Film Week (JFW), a new industry programme designed to cultivate collaboration and professional development among Southeast Asian filmmakers.
- Jury Awards: Searching for Sol (Philippines), Once upon a time there was a Mountain (Hong Kong), and Matriphagy (Malaysia).
- Special Mention: How An Apocalypse Ends from Vietnam, recognised for its unapologetic and bold storytelling using the zombie-trope.
“We believe a powerful film, one that lingers in the minds of its viewers long after the credits roll, one that evokes strong emotions or provokes thought, lies in the Storytelling and the Story.” said Ms Suarina Chua, Co-CEO of CinemaWorld. “We remain committed to our vision of connecting peoples and communities through films – features and shorts.”
Industry Development Initiatives
As part of its broader commitment to industry development, CinemaWorld organised a filmmaking masterclass in conjunction with the Awards Gala. The session, led by producer and screenwriter Kris Ong (co-writer of Golden Horse nominee Ajoomma, 2022), provided award winners and local filmmakers with practical insights into the creative ideation process and strategies for developing stories into impactful screen productions.
Launch of CinemaSHORT YouTube Channel
In a significant new development, CinemaWorld announced the launch of the CinemaSHORT YouTube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/@CinemaSHORTAsia), designed to extend the life of short films beyond the festival circuit by building a resource hub for emerging Asian filmmakers. With Youtube as the dominant video sharing platform globally and its rapid expansion from mobile to TV screens, CinemaSHORT is hopeful that its BOLD ASIAN STORIES can reach a global audience.
The channel will feature a dedicated On-Demand section, with new short films scheduled for weekly release. The On-Demand section launches with the shortlisted films from the 2025 competition, offering audiences worldwide immediate access to the works of Asia’s rising filmmakers.
CinemaWorld’s Role in the Asian Film Ecosystem
For more than a decade, CinemaWorld has positioned itself as the first and only pan-Asian film service, championing culturally diverse stories that resonate across borders. By curating international films for Asian audiences and spotlighting Asian filmmakers on the global stage, CinemaWorld serves as both a bridge between talents and audiences and an incubator for new voices in filmmaking.
With initiatives like CinemaSHORT and the new YouTube platform, CinemaWorld is reinforcing its commitment to sustained talent development, international collaboration, and audience engagement. This dual role—curator and connector—positions CinemaWorld as a significant stakeholder in shaping the future of Asia’s film industry.
