Support "Beautiful Girl"- A Vietnamese-American Short Film

"Beautiful Girl"- a short film by Milky Tran

"I'll be home soon," Cece said.

On a rainy cold evening, Mai, a Vietnamese grandmother with dementia, is left home alone.

Through heart and humor, follow the journey of a Vietnamese granddaughter/grandmother duo as they navigate the often unseen and intimate moments of loving someone with dementia.

This short film explores the complexities of the caretaken now becoming the caretaker, the idea of duty to family versus individualism and personhood (delaying/giving up on dreams for sick family members) and the magic of Asian Grandmothers – that although they may not know how to care for themselves, they do not forget how to show their love to their grandchildren.

This story is based on my relationship with my late grandmother — it is coming entirely from the heart!

What will we use the funds for?

Crowdfunding will be used to find and pay talent, crew, locations, wardrobe, food and heavy production design (this is a culturally Vietnamese short film).

Meet the Crew

Milky Tran

Writer, Director, Producer

Milky Tran is a Gen-Z Vietnamese-American writer/director/composer originally from the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA. As a playful and sensitive creative, her reflections of everyday life inspire her coming-of-age, family and romantic dramedies that center around womanhood, relationships and memories. They highlight the intimate moments that change us and make us who we are.

Milky is managed by 3Arts Entertainment after they discovered her short film “Oink” that went viral online. She's been chosen as a film fellow of the DB Frieze LA Film Awards ​with Endeavor Content + Ghetto Film School and nominated in the "Ones to Watch'' category at the Asian American International Film Festival.

Milky has worked as a producer/director at Jubilee Media, creating human social experimental digital content and dating shows, garnering over 20M+ views across multiple platforms. She has also directed short-form content for Margaret Cho and musician MIYAVI -- now, she has built her own online community of 200k followers across platforms, sharing personal stories of her life through her heart and humor.

Joe M. Han

Director of Photography

Joe M. Han is a South Korea-born Director of Photography based in Los Angeles, CA.

He immigrated to the U.S. at the age of seven. While his parents worked full-time, he picked up English through late-night classic films, developing an early appreciation for visual storytelling.

His creative foundation was shaped by music, art, and theater, but it was behind the camera—shooting and directing documentaries in high school—where he found his true passion.

Joe went on to study cinematography at Columbia College Chicago, earning a Bachelor of Arts. Since then, he has worked across narrative and documentary films, including the Netflix Original Our Father (2022), Dolph Lundgren’s Wanted Man (2024) for Millennium Media, and most recently, The Warehouse Phase, part of an upcoming TV series premiering on NBC’s Peacock in May 2025.

Zoe Xandra, Slow Drift Collective

Producer

Zoe Xandra is a Los Angeles-based producer, director, writer, and entrepreneur with a Master of Entertainment Industry Management from Carnegie Mellon University and over 10 years of experience in the film industry. She is the founder of Slow Drift Collective, a platform dedicated to amplifying female voices through film, and Steel City Props LLC, a women-run prop rental house serving the Pittsburgh film community.

Passionate about psychological thrillers and grounded dramas, Zoe began her filmmaking journey at Point Park University, where she earned a B.F.A. in Cinema Arts and produced over 20 short films. Her work has received international acclaim across the independent festival circuit. Her film "Green Hat Diner" won “Best of Pittsburgh” at the Women in Film Pittsburgh Awards, and her horror short "What’s in the Forest" is currently streaming on Klipist. Zoe also has a strong background in digital marketing and social media, having created content for the Television Academy, Film Pittsburgh, and more. Her industry experience spans development, acquisitions, and distribution through roles at KINO, Mosaic Media Group, and Burr! Productions. She has also worked high-profile events such as the 2024 Emmy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival.

Zoe’s mission is to produce impactful, female-driven stories while reshaping the entertainment industry into a more inclusive and socially conscious space.

Misha Edwards, MEDW Productions

Producer

Misha Edwards is an African-American filmmaker from Compton, California. She has been a producer for almost six years, dedicating her career to storytelling that resonates deeply with audiences. A lifelong fan of psychological thrillers, she crafts original narratives that explore complex, thought-provoking themes.

Beyond filmmaking, Misha is committed to representing her community and uplifting not just Black voices in the industry but many ethnic communities. After years of hard work, she successfully launched her own production company, driven by a mission to create a healthier, more sustainable work environment. She believes in fostering a creative space where cast and crew can thrive without burnout, ensuring that storytelling remains both powerful and fulfilling. Through her work, she continues to push boundaries while advocating for a more inclusive and supportive film industry.