Experiencing Interruptions?

Mint Condition

Lok Chen, a primary school student, was sent by her father to a school that champion perfection. Anything that is less is intolerable. With a grading scheme of either a full 100 or 0, those who fail to perform to perfection will be modified for improvements. Soon, Lok Chen discovers that the system itself is flawed with dystopic intent. Will she survive the system now becomes the question.

  • So Man Tsoi
    Director
  • So Man Tsoi
    Writer
    A Light Never Goes Out
  • Kai Kwong, Albert Mak
    Producer
    Rob N Roll, Hit N Fun
  • Hei Yi, Hathy Law
    Key Cast
    "Fung Lok Chen"
  • Yee Chun, Jessica Chan
    Key Cast
    "Miss Lee"
    Time Still Turns The Pages, Fresh Off Markham
  • Ka Po, Anjaylia Chan
    Key Cast
    "Lok Chen's mother"
  • Moon Yuen, Kenneth Cheung
    Key Cast
    "Director Lau"
  • Yip Fai, Richard Lee
    Key Cast
    "Lok Chen's Father"
  • Yin Gon, Dipper Alien Ho
    Key Cast
    "Chow Kin Long"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    破葉
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Short
  • Genres:
    Sci-fi, Drama
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 15, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    300,000 HKD
  • Country of Origin:
    Hong Kong
  • Country of Filming:
    Hong Kong
  • Language:
    Yue Chinese (Cantonese)
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • London Independent Film Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    Best Foreign Short, Best Director Short
  • New York International Film Awards™ - NYIFA
    New York
    United States
    Best Director - Short, Best Indie Short
  • Los Angeles Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best First Time Director (Short), Best Original Story
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Short of The Season (Special Jury Award), Best Indie Short - Platinum Award, Best Sci-Fi Short - Platinum Award, Best Female Director - Platinum Award, Best Original Story - Platinum Award, Best Young Actress - Platinum Award, Best Cinematography - Platinum Award, Best Production Design - Platinum Award, Best Sound Design - Platinum Award, Best Supporting Actress - Gold Award, Best Supporting Actor - Gold Award, Best Original Score - Silver Award
  • World Film Festival in Cannes
    Cannes
    France
    Best Female Director Short Film, Best Indie Short (Low Budget), Best Actress in a Short Film, Best Young Actress in a Short Film, Nominated for Annual 2025 Edition
  • 55th USA Film Festival
    Dallas
    United States
    April 25, 2025
    World Premiere
    Special Mention
  • 29th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival
    Vancouver
    Canada
    November 9, 2025
    Canada Premiere
    Nominated for Best International Short
  • 第38屆中國金雞百花電影節 38th China Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Film Festival
    Xiamen
    China
    November 14, 2025
    Asia Premiere
    Finalist in Main Competition, 6th Golden Rooster Youth Short Film Season (金雞青年短片季終評二十強)
  • 7th Independent Shorts Awards Annual Event
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 6, 2025
    Nominated for Best Student Female Director, Best Original Story, Best Sci-Fi Short, Best Young Actress – Hathy Law
  • 16th New Media Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 4, 2025
  • Toronto International Short Film Awards
    Toronto
    Canada
    Best Science Fiction
  • Paris International Short Awards
    Paris
    France
    Best Science Fiction
  • Kyoto Independent Film Festival
    Kyoto
    Japan
    Best Short Actress – Chan Yee Chun Jessica
Director Biography - So Man Tsoi

Graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University with a bachelor's degree of Social Sciences in Cinema and Televisions. Screenwriter of feature film A Light Never Goes Out, which is the winner of the 5th First Feature Film Initiative. The leading actress Sylvia Chang won The Best Actress in 59th Golden Horse Awards.

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Director Statement

Film is magic.