Experiencing Interruptions?

My Sister is a Butterfly

17-year-old Giddy navigates a tumultuous night at her sister’s 24th birthday party. My Sister is a Butterfly is a modern tale of two Malaysian sisters who reconcile their estranged relationship against the backdrop of a growing climate crisis.

  • Emily Ong Shuyi
    Director
    Abantu-同人
  • Emily Ong Shuyi
    Writer
    Abantu-同人
  • Tom Blackman
    Writer
    Black & White Duppy
  • Arunveer Kahlon
    Producer
  • Emily Ong Shuyi
    Producer
    Black & White Duppy, Abantu-同人
  • Charmaine Cheong
    Key Cast
    "Giddy"
  • Emily Ong Shuyi
    Key Cast
    "Julie"
  • Klara Grapci-Germizaj
    Key Cast
    "Poppy"
  • Christelle Elwin
    Key Cast
    "Dee"
  • Charlie Murray
    Key Cast
    "Will"
  • Jeff Yeung
    Director of Photography
    Abantu-同人
  • Lindsay Potter
    Production Designer
  • Iacovos Le Du
    Editor
    Black & White Duppy
  • Aroa Fuentes Gómez
    Sound Designer & Recordist
    Abantu-同人
  • Orla Fleming
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Coming-of-age, Drama, Dark comedy
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 13, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    5,700 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    Malaysia
  • Country of Filming:
    Malaysia, United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Raindance Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    June 25, 2025
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Private Premiere Malaysia
    Kuala Lumpur
    Malaysia
    September 13, 2024
  • House Your Film Screening
    Kuala Lumpur
    Malaysia
    June 27, 2025
  • Private Premiere London
    London
    United Kingdom
    July 20, 2024
Director Biography - Emily Ong Shuyi

Emily Ong Shuyi (they/them) is a Malaysian filmmaker and creative practitioner invested in the multiplicity and transformation of identity during a time of intense environmental shift. Their latest film My Sister is a Butterfly (2024) made its world premiere at Raindance Film Festival 2025 in London. Emily's work has screened at various festivals including London Short Film Festival, Aesthetica Film Festival, BFI Future Film Festival, Norwich Film Festival and MINIKINO.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Giddy and Julie come from a region that will face uninhabitable climate conditions much sooner than Britain. This story offers my perspective on the lasting impact of Empire and the decaying future we’re heading into. Somewhere between a time capsule and a meditation on my experiences, this is a story for anyone who has been an outsider in a hostile environment.