'What's in a Bowl?' wins Best Film: 16-19

Congratulations to six young people working with Screen Education Edinburgh and BFI Film Academy in Edinburgh, Scotland, whose film What's in a Bowl? has won Best Film: 16-19 (sponsored by Paramount) at the Into Film Awards 2026.

What's in a Bowl? is a resonant short film that follows a young Chinese immigrant living in Edinburgh who is struggling with homesickness and feelings of belonging. With his beloved late grandmother's words and memories still alive in his mind, he sets out to recreate her classic noodle dish in the hopes of rekindling his sense of home.

This film - made by Alice, Macy, Leo, Ruri, Oscar, and Kai - was made as part of the group's BFI Film Academy Short Course for Edinburgh and South-East Scotland.

Alice, aged 17, was the main driving force behind the film, and contributed to directing and overseeing the creative vision, ensuring that elements like mise-en-scène, props, and costume aligned with the film's themes. "One of the main challenges we faced was achieving a realistic and culturally authentic portrayal within limited resources", she explained. "Time constraints also made it difficult to film multiple takes, particularly for detailed food preparation scenes that needed to look visually appealing."

"The inspiration for the film came from my personal experience of growing up between two very different cultures", Alice explained. "Being born in China, where food plays a strong role in identity and family connection, I often thought of food (especially homemade food) as a bridge between generations, carrying memories and traditions. I wrote the script in Mandarin as I wanted my family back home to understand my experiences and also I hoped to make this film more relatable to audiences who might have a similar experience."

"I felt so trilled and honoured when I heard we had been nominated", Alice continued. "Filmmaking allows important stories to really come to life, and all of the unique and intangible life experiences to present themselves in a meaningful way, resonating with audiences."