Oscar®-qualifying Motherland; The Emotional Tale of a Young American-Korean Woman

Oscar®-qualifying Motherland; A young American-Korean woman’s longing to find identity

Los Angeles, CA (Oct. 12, 2023). Christina Yoon is the director of Oscar® qualifying Motherland. It follows the emotional journey of Leah. An adoptee raised in America who travels to Korea to learn about her origins. However, when she is there she is discovers with more questions than answers. This incredible film is in qualification for consideration for a 2024 Academy® Award. It enjoys a winning streak of Best Narrative Short at Provincetown International Film Festival (2023). Best Director at HollyShorts Film Festival, and the Student Film Award at the Hamptons International Film Festival (2022).

Logline: Leah, a Korean adoptee raised in America, returns to Korea to search for her birth mother. Leah is met with secrecy from the adoption agency, as well as her own family, but remains relentless on her solo journey, driven by her longing to discover the truth of her origins.

Christina Yoon is an award-winning Korean American writer, director, and editor from New York and Atlanta. After graduating from NYU Tisch, Christina worked in South Korea. She’s directing branded content for Johnnie Walker and in creative development for Korean music videos and web dramas. As a TV writer, she has most recently written for Apple TV’s PACHINKO.

Her South Korean film, Motherland, won the prestigious Katharina Otto-Bernstein short film grant. Christina’s work explores trauma, alienation, and identity. She is passionate about increasing diverse representation in American film and television. Especially through stories that go beyond the immigrant narrative. Christina is currently developing her first feature.

The Official Trailer for Motherland Directed by Christina Yoon

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JUNGYOON KIM is an award winning creative producer with experience. In developing and producing narrative and documentary films in China, Germany, Taiwan, South Korea, and the U.S. Jungyoon’s previous films showcased and won awards at the Berlin International Film Festival. Also Tribeca Film Festival, and Busan International Film Festival. Then Palm Springs International Shorts, Krakow Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, and the DGA.

His previous projects have been supported by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Princess Grace Foundation, Sarah Jones Film Foundation and Katharina Otto-Bernstein Film Fund. He’s also the recipient of Marcie Bloom Fellowship, and Hollywood Foreign Press Fellowship. He won the Richard Brick Award for Special Distinction in Line Producing. 

GRACE MERRIMAN is an LA-based independent film and theater producer. She is recent graduate of the Creative Producing MFA program at Columbia University. Grace’s mission is to find and support stories that amplify underrepresented voices. Her recent project, THE CORONATION by Dhruv Sud, won the Audience Award for Best Short at Filmocracy Fest. Before going on to screen at Miami Film Festival, Sonoma Film Festival and several others. Her film, Reverb by Minkyu Kang screened at the Foyle Film Festival, Santa Fe Film Festival and Malibu Film Festival. The Downpour by Jade Edwards premiered at the London Independent Film Festival.

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The beautiful cinematography was created by GIORGOS VALSAMIS.

This incredibly authentic and diverse short has qualified to be considered for a 2024 Academy® Award. It premiered at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. MOTHERLAND is currently on its film festival journey. Including stops at Woodstock Film Festival, and San Diego International Film Festival. Plus Salute Your Shorts Film Festival to name a few.

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