During her chaotic family’s Qingming visit, dead Grandma Nai sneaks away from her peaceful afterlife after overhearing that her queer grandson is about to get engaged to a woman.
Original Title Chao Somnop Chet Year of production 2025 Length 19' CountryCambodia/France/USA Shooting Format Digital Aspect Ratio 1.37:1 Dialogue Khmer Director Chheangkea Production Companies Anti-Archive, NoMad Productions Producers Daniel Mattes, Karen Madar Co-Producers Loy Te, Vincent Villa Writer Chheangkea Cinematographer Shyan Tan EditorChheangkea First Assistant Director Senghorng “Mio” Thong Casting Savunthara Seng Acting Coach Sreylin Meas Production Designer Bandiddh Prum Costume Designer Phuong Nguyen Unit Production Manager Monysak Sou Location Manager Socheata Van Sound Designer/Mixer Vincent Villa Colorist Elie Akoka Cast Bonrotanak Rith, Saroeun Nay, Sokun Theary Ty, Phalla Im, Chansophorn “Rose” Buth, Ponleu Chab, Naryroth Say, Sophat Peov, Bophal Meas Festival selections Sundance Film Festival 2025, USA - World Premiere, Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction International Film Festival of Rotterdam 2025, Netherlands Tampere Film Festival 2025, Finland Green Mountain Film Festival 2025, USA Glasgow Short Film Festival 2025, UK Asian Pop-Up Cinema 2025, USA Fribourg International Film Festival 2025, Switzerland Cambodia International Film Festival 2025 Aspen Shortsfest 2025, USA Miami Film Festival 2025, USA Portland Panorama 2025, USA San Francisco International Film Festival 2025, USA Lovers Film Festival 2025, Italy OUTshine Film Festival 2025, USA Queer East Festival 2025, UK Milwaukee Film Festival 2025, USA Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2025, USA Golden Harvest Film Festival 2025, Taiwan CAAMFest 2025, USA Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2025, Japan Vienna Shorts 2025, Austria Director's Statement My Grandma Nai was often irritated. She scolded anyone who ever did anything frivolous or annoying. So when it came to her grandchildren, Grandma Nai played favorites, and I was hers. Growing up, I knew I wasn’t like most boys, so I clung tightly to Grandma Nai because, by her side, I was protected. Having lost her at a young age, Grandma Nai has become my personification of hope. In moments of loneliness, I often speak to her and wonder if she could hear the secrets and stories I share. Then one day, I imagined a world in which she could. I imagined her presence living at the tomb we built for her. And next to her was a neighboring grandma ghost with whom she could confide and laugh. Out of these imaginations, the character of Grandma Nai was born—in her spirit, I want to showcase what unconditional love for queer folks could look like.
