"The Best Gift" - Holiday / Drama
TOTAL RUNTIME's first film, THE BEST GIFT was made for the 48 HOUR FILM PROJECT—— the premier, timed film competition. It placed an impressive 3RD out of 159 films in Los Angeles, the most cutthroat chapter.
Created in just 48 hours, from no idea to finished product, the film was then selected by festivals around the globe, winning awards over non-48-hour competition.
2019 48 Hour Film Project - Los Angeles (3rd out of 159 films)
Top 10 Group Audience Award WINNER
Best Film 2nd Runner Up WINNER
Best Actress WINNER
Best Supporting Actor Runner Up WINNER
Best Supporting Actress Nomination
Best Writing Nomination
Best Directing Nomination
[Regal L.A. LIVE + TCL Chinese Theatre screenings]
Monadnock International Film Festival (2020)
Catalina International Film Festival (2020)
Love Wins Film Festival (2021 Semi-Finalist): NEW YORK
[distribution offer from Love Wins Streaming Channel]
New York International Film Awards (2020)
Best Indie Short WINNER
Best Actress Honorable Mention WINNER
Best Inspirational Film Nomination
Los Angeles Film Awards (2020 Semi-Finalist)
Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival (2020 Finalist)
PBS Guam/GIFF Select Showcase (2021)
Chinese American Film Festival (2020): LOS ANGELES
Love International Film Festival (2020 Finalist): LOS ANGELES
Best US Short Nomination
San Pedro International Film Festival (2020)
Asian Film Festival, Los Angeles Hollywood (2020)
London International Short Film Festival (2020)
Audience Award WINNER
Best Holiday Short WINNER
[one of only 5 films to win multiple festival awards]
Yule Film Fest (2020)
Best Live-Action Short WINNER
Bite-Size Okotoks Christmas Film Festival (2020): CANADA
Asians On Film Festival of Shorts (2021): LOS ANGELES
Best Actor Nomination
Los Angeles Independent Film Festival (2021)
Voices Rising Film Festival (2021): NEW YORK
Holidays 365 International Film Festival (2021): LOS ANGELES
Audience Award WINNER
Special Jury Recognition: Best Narrative Short Finalist
The Micheaux Film Festival (2021): LOS ANGELES
[1st festival back in theaters since CA shutdown]
[one of only 55 of 181 official selections chosen to screen]
[one of only 29 chosen for OPENING DAY at TCL Chinese Theatre]
Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival (2021)
International Panoramic Film Festival of India (2021)
Best Actress in a Leading Role WINNER
Huntington Beach Cultural Cinema Showcase (2021)
Nominee for High Honors Recognition [top 5% of submissions]
"Best in Show" Commendation
[1 of only 3 films from 2021 selected for 2022 special screening]
Bristol International Film Festival (2021)
Huntington Beach VIP Screening Night (2023)
[aired on HBTV throughout May for AAPI Heritage Month]
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS & AWARDS