07/08/2026
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
As the Cannes Film Festival Continues to Exclude and Deny Access, Diversity in Cannes Champions Underrepresented Filmmakers and Proudly Announces Lullaby by Chi Thai, Winner of the 2025 Short Film Showcase.
CANNES, FRANCE — As the excitement of the 78th Festival de Cannes settles, Yolonda Brinkley, founder of Diversity in Cannes, the independent film movement promoting inclusion at the Cannes Film Festival, proudly announces "Lullaby", directed by Chi Thai of the United Kingdom, as the winner of the 2025 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase.
A deeply personal film inspired by Thai’s journey as a Vietnamese refugee, "Lullaby" tells the story of a young mother she encountered while fleeing post-war Vietnam, with her family on a fragile wooden boat, at just three years old. The film centers on the mother’s devastating loss of her baby to the sea — a tragedy that gives rise to an unspeakable grief, haunting her throughout the story and ultimately forcing her to confront her guilt.
“As a refugee, a storyteller, and now a mother, I’ve carried this story my entire life. I’m honored to share "Lullaby" with the Diversity in Cannes audience — a community that gives voice to marginalized populations on one of entertainment’s largest stages, the Cannes Film Festival. I’m even more honored to have won the 2025 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, and that Lullaby has reached a global audience through this important movement,” said Chi Thai.
Presented by Yolonda Brinkley with support from Julius Tennon and Academy Award winner Viola Davis’ JuVee Productions Productions, the British Film Institute’s Inclusion team and Screen Australia, the 2025 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase featured compelling, purpose-driven films from Pakistan, Bulgaria, Jamaica, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Egypt, selected by a 22-member global screening committee.
The 2025 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase took place Monday, May 19, 2025 during Diversity in Cannes’ flagship Diversity Day at the Cannes Film Festival.
In addition to the short film screenings, the program featured a Cannes Conversation with Shih-Ching Tsou, writer, director, and producer of "Left-Handed Girl" — the 2025 internationally co-produced drama co-directed by four-time Academy Award winner Sean Baker, and official selection of Semaine de la Critique - Cannes, the live script read of "Empty" by Julia Camara — followed by an awards reception announcing the winners.
“We believe deeply in the work Yolonda is doing. Diversity in Cannes is more than a showcase, it’s a movement. We proudly stand with her and congratulate Chi Thai and her film "Lullaby", winner of the 2025 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, along with the remarkable storytellers whose work continues to push boundaries and demand visibility,” said Julius Tennon, President of JuVee Productions.
As the grand prize winner, Chi Thai will receive a prize package complete with complimentary film festival submission, mentorship sessions with production company and television executives, social media/PR strategy consultation and a comprehensive list of global film initiatives.
In addition to the grand prize winner, Diversity in Cannes recognized a slate of exceptional storytellers across several categories. These honorees represent the depth and breadth of diverse talent globally, further reinforcing the need for inclusive platforms in spaces where diversity remains an afterthought.
Winner
Lullaby, Chi Thai, UK
Best Director
Duran Jones,Time is Money, USA
Festival Director's Award
Sally Get the Potatoes, Danicah Waldo, USA
Screening Committee Award
Sally Get the Potatoes, Danicah Waldo, USA
Programming Committee Award
Re-Story Your Life, Susanna Wright, UK
Jury Award
London & Botswana, Gemma Burnand, Botswana/UK
The Cockroach, Mary Pat Bentel, USA
Audience Award
Scratch, the web series, Carl King, Australia
Best Web Series
Nesting, Allana Harkin, Canada
Oreo, Cashmere Jasmine, USA
Best Micro Short
Out of Time, SĂ©bastien Kong, France
Best Documentary
The Tall Boy, Life Garland, Trinidad & Tobago
Best Student Film
Dow, Sofi Abou-Assali, Canada
Sole Sista, Emerie Boone, Australia
Sequoia, Michelle KĂĽnzler, Switzerland
Best First Time Filmmaker
DeeDee Casimir, Last Hoorah at G-Baby’s, USA
Yvonne Huff Lee, Ownership, USA
Sally Get the Potatoes, Danicah Waldo, USA
Best Actor
Bruce Lemon, Time is Money, Duran Jones, US
Best Actress
Jan Le, Lullaby, Chi Thai, UK
Ivonnah Erskine, Love is Blind, Parneille Walker
Best Cast
Stinky Mango, Ina Sotirova, Bulgaria/Jamaica
Baldy, Eddie Griffith, USA
Breakthrough Performance
Kynlee Heiman, Sally Get the Potatoes, Danicah Waldo, USA
Josiah Howard-Tobia, Intelligent, Kinnik Sky, USA
Best Writing
Bixby Elliot, The Yellow Sponge is the Dish Sponge, Michele Noble, USA
Leann O’Kasi, Just Passing, Sophie Austin, UK
Ron McCants, Don’t Hang Up, Diamond Batiste, USA
Best Editing
Felix Jordan, Jr., Flick, Justin Bones, USA
D.A.R.V.O., Paul Lindsay, USA
Best Cinematography
Mark Nutkins, Lullaby, Chi Thai, UK
Isaac Yowman, Don’t Hang Up, Ron McCants, USA
Best Song
Freedom, Rainey-Ani & Karega Ani, Nabila Lester, USA
Holiday, Sylvie Cox, Love Music Shelter, Courtney Miller, USA
Best Score
BLK Odyssy, The Ohio, Texas Remix, Ya’Ke Smith, USA
Diversity Day marked the start of a hybrid celebration that culminated with an online screening of many of these award winning films June 27-29, 2025.
While it's too late to particpate this year, submissions are open for the 2026 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase via FilmFreeway. For interviews and sponsorship opportunities, email Diversity in Cannes. Follow on social media Facebook, Instagram for current information.
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