The short film “Light by the Sea”, produced by TYM, has proudly won Best Film Award in the Legacy Lens category at the 2025 SineMaya International Community Film Festival. This achievement is not only a cinematic honor but also a meaningful recognition of TYM’s enduring journey in accompanying and empowering women, families, and especially vulnerable groups within the community.
“Light by the Sea” is inspired by a true story of a TYM client in Cua Lo Town, Nghe An Province. It tells the poignant story of a mother and her young son who navigate profound loss and hardship, gradually rediscovering the light of faith and hope. The child character in the film is portrayed by Mai Bao Giap, the son of Ms. Bui Thi Huan, who has been supported by TYM for many years through the “Give Your Dreams Wings” Scholarship Program and the “Godmother” Program initiated by the Vietnam Women’s Union.
The film’s narrative is conveyed through an emotionally rich and deeply humane cinematic language, where a mother’s love, the compassion of the community, and TYM’s steadfast accompaniment become the guiding light helping a family weather life’s storms—so that a child never has to walk alone. Like a small light by the sea, this quiet yet resilient support is strong enough to illuminate the way forward.
In addition to the First Prize, “Light by the Sea” also received the Best Director Award and the Chairman’s Choice – Best Film Award, selected by the Honorary Chairperson and Founder of CARD MRI. The film was further nominated in three major categories: Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing. These achievements are a great source of pride for TYM, not only because of the awards earned, but because TYM’s story and values have been recognized and amplified on the international stage.
The 2025 SineMaya International Community Film Festival was jointly organized by the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development – Mutual Reinforcement Institutions (CARD MRI, Philippines) and Bente Productions, under the theme “Heritage – Inheritance and Development for the Future.” The festival aims to promote values aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including gender equality, quality education, reduced inequalities, and sustainable economic growth.
This year, the festival showcased 18 shortlisted short films produced by microfinance institutions and social development organizations across Southeast Asia. The recognition of “Light by the Sea” at SineMaya stands as a testament to TYM’s persistent journey of lighting small yet enduring “beacons” alongside women and families—ensuring that humane values continue to be inherited and spread for generations to come.