Synopsis

Empty by Design is a feature film about the struggle of identity that is experienced when living and growing up in multiple places surrounded by different cultures, and what it means to call a place home. The film takes place in Manila, Philippines and follows Samantha, a recent University Graduate who moves back home after her parents have passed away, and Eric, a Hollywood Stuntman and Body double who comes back to shoot a new film. Since moving back home, Samantha can’t seem to connect with anyone in her life, friends, family, and has difficulty expressing her frustration and feeling of being back home to her sister Patricia. Similarly, Eric struggles with forming a bond with his estranged grandmother and culture, and aspects surround his job. On a night out, Eric has a brief encounter with Samantha and the two meet again later on and rekindle an acquaintance from high school that forms into an unexpected friendship and a new found meaning of what it means to be “home.”

Genre
Drama

Total Running Time
86 mins

Director
Andrea A. Walter

Cast
Rhian Ramos, Osric Chau, Madeleine Humphries, Chris Pang, Dante Basco

Awards

WINNER  –  Best International Feature Film, Nevada Women’s Film Festival 2019
WINNER  –  Woman Filmmaker of the Year, SOHO International Film Festival 2019
Official Selection – Nevada Women’s Film Festival 2020
Official Selection – DisOrient Asian American Film Festival 2020
Official Selection – Seattle Asian American Film Festival 2020
Official Selection – Vancouver Asian Film Festival (Centerpiece Film) 2019
Official Selection – San Diego Asian Film Festival 2019
Official Selection – Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival 2019
Official Selection – Asian American International Film Festival 2019
Official Selection – Austin Asian American Film Festival 2019
Official Selection – CAAMFest 2019
Official Selection  –  Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2019