Cinemata is proud to host the award-winning animated film Lost at Sea, a gripping story of a Rohingya man’s dangerous journey across the sea to seek safety in Malaysia.

Directed by Richard Swarbrick and produced by Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Noon Films from Barcelona, Spain, this powerful short film recently earned two prestigious international awards: ‘Best International Short Film’ at the Heroes International Film Festival in Rome and the 4th Chema Castiello Award for the ‘Best Short Film with social relevance’ at the MUSOC Festival for Social Cinema and Human Rights in Asturias.

Lost at Sea delves into the harsh reality faced by the Rohingya people as they embark on perilous journeys in pursuit of safety. Drawing inspiration from the real-life experiences of Muhib, a Rohingya man who fled Myanmar, the film captures his dangerous sea voyage to seek refuge in Malaysia. Tragically, Muhib and others found themselves stranded on a fishing boat in the Andaman Sea, bearing witness to the loss of 27 lives and highlighting the immense risks faced by those escaping conflict and persecution.

As he grapples with trauma, audiences are taken on a journey reflecting the resilience of the human spirit amid adversity.

Watch “Lost at Sea“:

Ongoing plight

The dangerous journeys depicted in the film remain an ongoing reality for the Rohingya people, as noted in a report by the UN Refugee Agency highlighting a surge in the number of desperate refugees killed during similar boat journeys in 2023.

Doctors Without Borders regional operational director Paul Brockmann stressed the film’s potential as an educational tool to raise awareness about the challenges faced by displaced communities globally. Using animation, Lost at Sea amplifies the voices of those who have endured unimaginable hardships.

“The film serves as a call to action, urging audiences worldwide to empathize with the plight of refugees and engage in meaningful conversations surrounding human dignity and hope,” said Brockmann.

For inquiries or to support the film, please contact Doctors Without Borders at [email protected].

About Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization providing medical care to those in crisis, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation. For more information, visit www.doctorswithoutborders-apac.org and their Facebook page.

About Noon Films: Noon Films, based in Barcelona, Spain, is a dynamic film production company committed to creating impactful and socially relevant content. Through the art of storytelling, Noon Films aims to inspire change and foster understanding of critical global issues.

About the Film Director: Richard Swarbrick is a multi-media director whose distinctive animation style has made him a cult figure among sports fans the world over. Having trained as a classical painter, his technical skills have been developed through a career encompassing film editing, photography and graphic design