Hank tackles the subject of open relationships and is in contention at Palm Springs International ShortFest
Writer/Director Hongyu Li’s LGBT film Hank follows a married man who, scared of losing his relationship, feels forced into agreeing to an open marriage. This important film has been selected by many high-profile film festivals and is now in contention at the Oscar qualifying Palm Springs International ShortFest.
After reluctantly agreeing to an open relationship, middle-aged gay man Hank starts a wild journey with a mysterious young man only to find he’s put himself in danger. Narrowly escaping with just his life, and forced to walk home alone and naked in the middle of the night, Hank realizes the compromise he made to save his marriage has gone too far.
Born in 1994 and raised in Beijing, Hongyu became one of the most influential film critics in China when he was just 22 years old. He developed his filmmaking skills at the New York Film Academy with an MFA in filmmaking and made his directorial debut with the multi-award winning short film Waiting For Frank (2017) about the effects of Alzheimer’s.
This film received an Official Selection at Cannes Short Corner, won the Remi Award at Houston Film Fest, as well as an award at the Hollywood International Moving Picture Film Festival, a Nomination at the Los Angeles Independence Film Festival, and was in the Official Selection at the Asian World Film Festival. Hongyu’s cultural background makes him sensitive to racial, gender, aging, and LGBTQ issues. Hank is his second short film. He currently lives in Los Angeles.
Hongyu is creating huge attention internationally. China’s biggest media including China Daily, China Central Television (CCTV), the Global Times and People’s Daily have published articles about his achievements in film.
His 2nd film Hank is already an award-winning film having just received a 2019 nomination for an Award at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. It also garnered a Nomination for Best Short Film at the North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, a nomination for the Golden Angle Award for Best Short Film at the Chinese American Film Festival and the Best Dramatic Short Film at the Kansas City LGBT Film Festival.
Hank will screen at Palm Springs on June 19th at 1:15 pm.
In Conversation with Michael Oblowitz Director of Confidential Informant
Confidential Informant stars Mel Gibson, Dominic Purcell, and Kate Bosworth
