A disheartened young man isolates and buries himself in futile work on a failing farm that mirrors his own internal callousness, only to find unexpected grace in messages from his father.
ALONG THE WAY |short film
Writer / Director : David M. Tan
Director of Photography : David M. Tan
Production Assistants : Andrew Owens, Jono Hom
Agri-Technical Advisor : Yuting Zhou
Starring : Jonathan Watanabe, Christopher Wu
Title Designer : Judith Kan
Producer / Editor : David M. Tan
Production : David M. Tan
London Global Film Awards 2026 - BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Scarlett Int’l Film Festival 2026 - BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Altoona Reel Film Festival 2026 - BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Red London Fest 2026 - TECHNICAL AWARDS WINNER
Empire State Film Festival 2026 - OUTSTANDING MICRO-SHORT NOMINEE
Empire State Film Festival 2026 - OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR NOMINEE
New York Long Island Film Festival 2026 - BEST DRAMATIC SHORT SHORT NOMINEE
New York Long Island Film Festival 2026 - BEST PRODUCTION VALUE SHORT SHORT NOMINEE
Lighthouse International Film Festival 2026
Sea Cliff Film Festival 2026
Long Island International Film Expo 2026
Christian Arts Film Festival 2026
Mainstreet Short Film Festival at The Esquire 2026
“The cinematography in this film is exceptional, thoughtful, atmospheric, and deeply integrated with the story. The striking agricultural imagery, beautifully composed landscapes, and carefully considered lighting all work in perfect harmony to convey the film’s themes of resilience, silence, and emotional growth. Every frame feels purposeful and visually arresting, the visual storytelling carries as much weight and emotion as the narrative itself. It is a masterful achievement in visual storytelling.”
— D. Penman, Scarlett Int’l Film Festival 2026
