BANGKOK, THAILAND — Lumina Film Festival and EngageMedia are proud to announce their collaboration to screen a special selection of Tech Tales Youth films from Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Thailand. The screening, which will feature powerful short films addressing critical digital rights issues, is supported by Cinemata.org, EngageMedia’s Asia-Pacific social issue video platform that hosts over 6,000 films from more than 30 countries.
Hosted by ME GOODY, a dynamic growth-centric community, Lumina Festival provides a vital platform for amateur filmmakers, first-time directors, and creative storytellers. The festival’s deep-rooted connections with local educational institutes and its vibrant network of young film enthusiasts perfectly align with Tech Tales Youth’s mission to empower emerging filmmakers to create compelling narratives about digital rights challenges.
“This collaboration represents a natural synergy between Lumina’s commitment to nurturing new filmmaking talent and Tech Tales Youth’s focus on amplifying young voices in the digital rights movement,” said Prapasiri “Nan” Suttisome, EngageMedia’s Digital Rights Lead in Thailand. “What makes Tech Tales Youth distinct is our comprehensive mentorship approach that transforms filmmakers into advocates. Through workshops, impact production training, and small grants, these young directors haven’t just created powerful films – they’ve launched community initiatives that continue to build digital rights awareness across Thailand.”
The screening will highlight three remarkable Thai films: Weeraya “Min” Vichayaprasertkul’s “Digital Rights Lab,” which explores the dangers of call centre scams and data theft; Thanakorn “Meen” Yangmeesuk’s “Doxxed,” addressing online gender-based violence and privacy violations; and Patipat Oakkharhaphunrat’s experimental film “Black Hole,” which examines digital rights through the lens of generational trauma. Notably, “Black Hole” was recently recognised at the prestigious microWave Film Festival, further demonstrating the artistic merit of these advocacy-focused works.
The program will also feature urgent stories from the latest Tech Tales Youth edition, focusing on Bangladesh and Malaysia. These films, which premiered in Kuala Lumpur and Dhaka in January 2025, arrive at a critical moment. “The Black Kite” by Taosin Zafar examines how internet shutdowns during Bangladesh’s recent political unrest impacted disabled freelancers, while “Whisper of the Ink” by Ishtiyak Ahmad Zihad follows an artist and his pregnant wife as they navigate privacy violations during protests. From Malaysia, “Hai Anis” by Azura Nasron portrays the dangers of online grooming targeting teenagers, and “Balang Terang” by Intan Sakinah explores how digital disinformation fuels racial tensions between communities.
Since its inception in 2021, Tech Tales has produced 20 powerful films across three editions, empowering young filmmakers to address pressing digital rights issues through compelling storytelling. What distinguishes the project is its focus not only on film production but also on impact—each filmmaker implements community-based activities to extend their film’s reach and influence.
The Tech Tales Youth screening will take place on May 16th at 6 PM at ME GOODY’s community space in Bangkok. Following the screening, all three Thai filmmakers will participate in a Q&A session, sharing insights into their creative processes and discussing how their films have created tangible impact in their communities. This learning session offers a unique opportunity for audiences to understand how social issue filmmaking can drive meaningful change.
About Lumina Film Festival: Hosted by ME GOODY, Lumina Festival is an immersive film event held in the heart of Bangkok, celebrating short films across all genres. The festival is dedicated to providing a platform for amateur filmmakers, first-time directors, and creative storytellers, with deep connections to local educational institutes and a vibrant network of young film enthusiasts.
