Boat People is a 2023 Canadian animated short film written and directed by Thao Lam and Kjell Boersma.
Adapted from Lam's 2020 book The Paper Boat, the nine-minute film centres on the experiences of Vietnamese refugees, called "boat people", who fled Vietnam through the sea at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.
Plot As a child in Vietnam, Thao's mother would rescue ants from bowls of sugar water—a small act of compassion that later took on new meaning. Boat People is an animated documentary that uses this metaphor to explore one family's experience navigating the challenges of their historical journey.
Release The film premiered in April 2023 at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film.
In 2024 it was selected for broadcast on PBS's POV Shorts series in the United States,Mercedes Milligan, "Award-Winning NFB Animated Short ‘Boat People’ Coming to POV Shorts". Animation Magazine, October 9, 2024. and was selected as a Staff Pick on Vimeo.Mercedes Milligan, "NFB Animated Short ‘Boat People’ Now Available on Vimeo Worldwide". Animation Magazine, November 19, 2024.
Awards Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result New Orleans Film Festival 2023 Helen Hill Award for Animated Short Thao Lam, Kjell Boersma Audience Award for Animated Short Chicago International Children's Film Festival2023Milos Stehlik Global Impact AwardSpark Animation Festival2023Diversity AwardCalgary International Film Festival2023Grand Jury Prize – Animated ShortAryn Toombs, "Winners of 2023 CIFF competitions unveiled". LiveWire Calgary, September 25, 2023.Canadian Film Festival2024Best Animated ShortKelly Townsend, "Doubles leads 2024 Canadian Film Fest winners". Playback, March 25, 2024.
References
External links Official Trailer on YouTube.