10-11-2023 11:42pm

OSCAR Qualifying CLOSING DYNASTY - The Innocence of Youth against the Harshness of Reality directed by Lloyd Lee Choi

Anita Johnson-Brown Editor

Lloyd Lee Choi's short film, CLOSING DYNASTY, has qualified to be considered for a 2024 Academy Award. The film beautifully juxtaposes the innocence of youth against the harshness of reality. It follows the story of Queenie, a precocious seven-year-old Asian-American girl who hustles and schemes ways to make money on the streets of New York City. Written and directed by Lloyd Lee Choi, the film won the coveted Crystal Bear for Best Short (Generations) at Berlinale, the Audience Award at SXSW, and Best US Short at Palm Springs Int'l Shortsfest.

Lloyd Lee Choi, a Korean-Canadian writer and director living in Brooklyn, is passionate about highlighting the stories and examining the lives of those on the fringes. His last short film, SAME OLD (2022), world premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, receiving a Special Jury Mention at TIFF and winning Best Short at Raindance.

Producer Jonathan Hsu has produced award-winning commercials, music videos, and films, and was selected as a fellow for Film Independent's Fast Track 2022 program. He produced CLOSING DYNASTY as part of the inaugural Netflix x Gold House x Tribeca Future Gold Fellowship and hopes to use the experience to mentor others in production.

Milinka Winata, who was just six years old at the time, was selected to play the part of Queenie in her debut film. The stunning cinematography was lensed by Christopher Lew, with Charles Humenry providing the music composition.

10-11-2023 -By Anita Johnson-Brown

Closing Dynasty Trailer courtesy of Lloyd Lee Choi