Grounded

Set against the hauntingly beautiful coastline of Taiwan, 'Grounded' is a 15-minute short film that captures the fleeting, fragile nature of first love under the weight of societal prejudice. Kai and Hao are two high school boys who find an intense, magnetic connection during a blissful six-month period of skipping class together, exploring the sea, and sharing whispered secrets. But their bubble of freedom bursts when the eyes of their classmates turn judgmental, forcing Hao to confront the harsh reality of homophobia in their community. As Hao withdraws, Kai must grapple with not only the loss of his first love but also the recent death of his mother. Through tender, tactile cinematography and raw performances, the film paints a devastating portrait of how external pressures can shatter an otherwise perfect bond, leaving one boy stranded in a world where the sea he once wanted to marry now feels impossibly far away. A poignant, compact gem that lingers long after its final frame.