Maya
Inspired by her senior rescue dog, an apathetic divorcée takes another shot at the life she thought she’d left behind.
In the wake of a divorce, Emma, a Chinese-American woman in her mid-thirties, finds herself untethered. Her life is reduced to half-packed boxes and a senior dog named Maya, left behind by a friend and never reclaimed. Surrounded by family expectations and relentless pressure to “settle down,” Emma stumbles upon an old film school acceptance letter, an artifact from a life she once dreamed of but never pursued. With her mother hovering and concern thinly veiled as disapproval, Emma fends off unsolicited dating setups and subtle warnings that she’s too old to start over. Meanwhile, Maya, graying and anxious, clings to Emma like a furry mirror of her own fears: abandonment, change, the unknown. When Emma finally decides to pursue her dream again, the world around her pulls her back to reality, making her question her choice. In a quiet moment, her mother offers unexpected support, recognizing her own younger self in Emma’s struggle. And when Maya, once terrified of the ocean, faces the tide with surprising resolve, her quiet courage inspires Emma to take one last step toward the unknown.
Writer/Director: Xin Liu
Xin Liu began her storytelling journey as a TV journalist in China. In 2016, she moved to the U.S. to pursue her passion for cinematic storytelling. Since then, she has directed several award-winning short films and documentaries, often delving into social issues through the lens of everyday life. With a distinctive blend of dark humor and imagination, her work is both emotionally resonant and sharply observant.
Her films have screened at festivals including Tribeca, Raindance, SF Indie Fest, SF Dance Fest, and others.
Producer: April Wang
April Wang is a producer, screenwriter, and animal advocate with a unique background in Journalism and Film Studies. Holding an MFA in Film and Television Producing from Chapman University, she has worked in the US, China, and Japan. With experience in producing award-winning short films and contributing to the production, distribution, and acquisition of theatrical Chinese-American projects. A proud Whippet adopter and dedicated animal shelter volunteer, she combines her love for storytelling and animals in her work.
PD: Kun She
Kun She is an award-winning cinematographer/director and film instructor with over ten years’ experience in professional film and commercial production. As a cinematographer, he received the Kodak Cinematography Scholarship Award in 2018. His works have been widely screened in museums (Asian Art Museum, Sotheby's Hong Kong, etc.) and film festivals (São Paulo International Film Festival, Cinequest, etc.) around the world and recognized by international mainstream media like Yahoo and CGTN.
Movie website: mayashortfilm.com
Instagram: @maya_short_film
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