Category: STAFF PICKS – 2025 ARFF Paris

Original Film Title: The Enlightened Zone

Director’s Name: Edward Kui-ming Li, Ellen Ngai-luen Pun

Writer’s Name: Edward Kui-ming Li

Producer: Edward Kui-ming Li

Country of Origin: Hong Kong

Country of Filming: Japan

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes

Film Description:

The term “Mystical Zone” (結界) is a Buddhist concept, derived from the Sanskrit word Sima-bandha, with a history spanning over 2,500 years. It was inherited from India and was introduced to Japan during the Tang Dynasty over 1,200 years ago, flourishing among both the aristocracy and common people, and becoming a secretive ritual not shared with outsiders. In recent years, the term “Mystical Zone” has gained widespread attention, with layer upon layer of its mysterious veil being unraveled. Its essence has unexpectedly become a valuable treasure in today’s turbulent world, worthy of being studied and learned. The documentary “The Enlightened Zone” is said to possess extraordinary powers, such as overcoming failure, creating miracles, and harmonizing the soul. It showcases Japan, a country that remains one of the few places in the world where such secret techniques are still practised.
In this documentary, 4 young urban professionals, each highly skilled and accomplished in their respective fields, are invited by Master Li Kui-ming, a famous Esoteric and Fengshui Master, to act as guides for the audience, revealing the lesser-known aspects of “The Enlightened Zone” . The film is divided into 9 chapters (Chapter 1: The Mystical Zone of the Vengeful Spirits / Chapter 2: The Mystical Zone of Acala Buddha / Chapter 3: The Mystical Zone of Gods and Spirits / Chapter 4: The Hexagonal Mystical Zone / Chapter 5: The Mystical Zone of animals / Chapter 6: Some other Mystical Zones / Chapter 7: The Mystical Zone of Longevity / Chapter 8: The Mystical Zone of Reincarnation / Supplementary Chapter: The Bubbling Mystical Zone), each segment is not only fascinating and engaging but also provides the audience with practical knowledge and skills that can be immediately applied for self-protection and empowerment.
Master Li Kui Ming, after producing the highly successful and popular film “The Supernormal” in 1990, has continued his work in the genre of paranormal documentary over the years. “The Enlightened Zone” marks his 11th paranormal documentary project in a career spanning 35 years, continuing his exploration and documentation of supernatural phenomena.

(WINNER)

Original Film Title: The Pizza Man

Director’s Name: Alex Bodega

Writer’s Name: Nedal Elghamry, Vaclav Volf

Producer: Nedal Elghamry

Country of Origin: Czech Republic

Country of Filming: Czech Republic

Language: English

Runtime: 5 minutes 20 seconds

Film Description:

In an apartment drenched in routine, a child escapes into crayons and silence. One drawing brings the impossible to life: a tall, smiling Pizza Man who appears at the door, unblinking and uninvited. As reality fractures and space bends, the family finds themselves consumed by something they never asked for.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: RENT

Director’s Name: Lyubomir Zhelev

Writer’s Name: Lyubomir Zhelev

Producer: State Puppet Theatre Stara Zagora, Monkey’s Theatre

Country of Origin: Bulgaria

Country of Filming: Bulgaria

Language: No Dialogue

Runtime: 37 minutes 37 seconds

Film Description:

A mysterious mansion, shrouded in mist and shadows, offers refuge to a tenant seeking peace or a new beginning. But behind the walls of the house lies a sinister secret. Every corner is covered with mirrors that not only reflect reality, but also reveal the deeply hidden sins and desires of its occupant.

The owners – a strange couple with icy smiles – welcome their new tenant with the promise of privacy, but he quickly realizes that the house has a life of its own. Five mysterious rooms, hidden behind locked doors, lure him with promises of revelation and power, but each of them is a trap that confronts him with one of the deadly sins.

With no way out and the lines between reality and fantasy increasingly blurred, the tenant must accept his own shortcomings in order to find a way out – if there is one at all. “RENT” is a surreal and mysterious tale of human nature, temptation, and the price of redemption, revealed through dreams and silent emotions.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: “Staircase Stomp” by The Clamor

Director’s Name: Aaron Louis

Writer’s Name: Aaron Louis

Producer: Aaron Louis

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 3 minutes 28 seconds

Film Description:

Stop-motion music video for the song “Staircase Stomp” by punk/new wave band The Clamor. The music video tells the story of a man grappling with his inner turmoil, represented by a haunting female figure in a storm-battered cabin. Through surreal stop-motion animation, the video explores themes of identity, psychological conflict, and self-reconciliation, blurring the lines between external chaos and internal struggles.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Bunny’s Family

Director’s Name: Chuming Wei

Writer’s Name: Zhe Li

Producer: Shufan Li

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 17 minutes 47 seconds

Film Description:

A sister Isabel and brother leo discover that that their parents are scientists who use black magic, and realize that they are the products of their parents’ experiments to create them. So, they rebel against their parents, in order to protect themselves.

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: Shining Shadows

Director’s Name: Stefano Rossetti

Writer’s Name: Stefano Rossetti

Producer: Stefano Rossetti

Country of Origin: Italy

Country of Filming: Indonesia

Language: English

Runtime: 5 minutes 51 seconds

Film Description:

Shining Shadows is a two-act short film inspired by the enchantment of Balinese culture and intertwined with the rich tradition of the shadow theatre. In the first act, Rangda — the formidable witch queen and symbol of both destruction and renewal — is reimagined in an unexpected light as a tender mother and guiding force to her five artistic children. The second act features a wayang kulit performance, the traditional Balinese shadow play using intricately carved leather puppets animated behind a backlit screen. Here, legendary figures such as Vishnu, Naga, Parvati, and Shiva unfold a timeless tale of love, creation, and the essential need for others. Filmed in Ubud, with handcrafted masks and puppets designed by the director, the film is a metanarrative where myth and memory intertwine, praising Bali’s oral traditions and spiritual legacy.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: CHAIN

Director’s Name: LING HAN

Writer’s Name: LING HAN

Producer: TZU-YING HO, LING HAN

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: No Dialogue

Runtime: 4 minutes 49 seconds

Film Description:

“Chain,” directed by Ling Han, is a 3D animated short film featuring charming characters and a sophisticated environment. It uniquely tells the story of the mantis catching the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
“Chain” is visually stunning and emotionally rich, expressing nature’s survival instincts and prompting viewers to ponder life’s deeper questions. We sincerely recommend this film to fans of animation and proverbs.

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: The Enlightened Zone

Director’s Name: Edward Kui-ming Li, Ellen Ngai-luen Pun

Writer’s Name: Edward Kui-ming Li

Producer: Edward Kui-ming Li

Country of Origin: Hong Kong

Country of Filming: Japan

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes

Film Description:

The term “Mystical Zone” (結界) is a Buddhist concept, derived from the Sanskrit word Sima-bandha, with a history spanning over 2,500 years. It was inherited from India and was introduced to Japan during the Tang Dynasty over 1,200 years ago, flourishing among both the aristocracy and common people, and becoming a secretive ritual not shared with outsiders. In recent years, the term “Mystical Zone” has gained widespread attention, with layer upon layer of its mysterious veil being unraveled. Its essence has unexpectedly become a valuable treasure in today’s turbulent world, worthy of being studied and learned. The documentary “The Enlightened Zone” is said to possess extraordinary powers, such as overcoming failure, creating miracles, and harmonizing the soul. It showcases Japan, a country that remains one of the few places in the world where such secret techniques are still practised.
In this documentary, 4 young urban professionals, each highly skilled and accomplished in their respective fields, are invited by Master Li Kui-ming, a famous Esoteric and Fengshui Master, to act as guides for the audience, revealing the lesser-known aspects of “The Enlightened Zone” . The film is divided into 9 chapters (Chapter 1: The Mystical Zone of the Vengeful Spirits / Chapter 2: The Mystical Zone of Acala Buddha / Chapter 3: The Mystical Zone of Gods and Spirits / Chapter 4: The Hexagonal Mystical Zone / Chapter 5: The Mystical Zone of animals / Chapter 6: Some other Mystical Zones / Chapter 7: The Mystical Zone of Longevity / Chapter 8: The Mystical Zone of Reincarnation / Supplementary Chapter: The Bubbling Mystical Zone), each segment is not only fascinating and engaging but also provides the audience with practical knowledge and skills that can be immediately applied for self-protection and empowerment.
Master Li Kui Ming, after producing the highly successful and popular film “The Supernormal” in 1990, has continued his work in the genre of paranormal documentary over the years. “The Enlightened Zone” marks his 11th paranormal documentary project in a career spanning 35 years, continuing his exploration and documentation of supernatural phenomena.

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: Staunch Moderates Experience: Music Video & Story

Director’s Name: Gregory T Simmons

Writer’s Name: Gregory T Simmons

Producer: Gregory T Simmons, Jordan K Yospe

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 4 minutes 29 seconds

Film Description:

Welcome to the Staunch Moderates Experience, a story which takes us through the history & achievements of the Staunch Moderates movement through music. This film presents a unique experience with it’s multi-genre compilation of music videos from the three albums released by the movement.