Short Film AFIN 297
MEETING BY MISTAKE
Directed by 
Trung-Hai Nguyen-Le
AFIN 2025 Nominee
- 2025
- 17m
-
Vietnam - Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese
- R18+
- Romance
- Drama
Stills
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Credits
Produced by
Starring
Synopsis
Returning to her hometown after years abroad, Tiên (28) hosts a wedding reception to announce her marriage to an older Taiwanese man. Unexpectedly, she crosses paths with Kiên (30) - her former lover - who happens to be the MC of the event.
Drawn by nostalgia, Tiên invites Kiên to their old meeting place, where they reminisce about the past and reflect on how much they’ve changed. As the night unfolds, buried emotions resurface, forcing them to confront an unspoken question: Should they continue down the paths they’ve chosen, or reclaim a fleeting moment of who they once were?!
Director's Statement
Born and raised in a countryside in transition, I’m drawn to the quiet but defining shifts that shape both places and people. My films explore how individuals adapt, sometimes with grace, sometimes with struggle, to an ever-changing world. Through a personal and observational lens, I aim to capture stories that feel intimate, fleeting and undeniably real.
What makes this one special
From the Judges
From the Judges
Framing, composition and lighting drew genuine admiration here, guided by a sensitive directorial hand that lets the camera hold larger environments and trust the quiet moments. The central performances carry a great deal in what goes unsaid, and the panel found the relationship at the film's heart entirely believable. Heart, emotional depth and a touch of tasteful humour make this a beautiful piece of work.
Director's Biography
Trung-Hai Nguyen-Le Director
Nguyen Le Trung Hai, a film director who grew up amidst the constant transformations of his hometown. These changes sparked a passion for exploring how people adapt to contemporary society, with cinema becoming the chosen medium to tell these stories.
Graduated in Media Technology Management from the Faculty of Design and Arts, Hoa Sen University, Ho Chi Minh City. In 2018, attended the directing course at Autumn Meeting, under the guidance of director Trần Anh Hùng - an experience that reshaped the perception and approach to filmmaking.
Short film PAPERLAND (ĐẤT TRÊN GIẤY) was selected for S-Express 2020, screening across nine Southeast Asian countries.
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MEETING BY MISTAKE was an official Nominee for Best Cinematography at the AFIN International Film Festival 2025, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.
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