PROGRAMME
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
International Student Documentary Competition
Submission Deadline: 1 JULY 2026 at 23:59 (GMT +7)
The International Student Documentary Competition presents documentary works by university students and emerging young filmmakers from around the world. The section aims to showcase diverse perspectives, cultures, and contemporary issues through innovative forms of non-fiction storytelling.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT : JURY
Hui-Chen Huang
Biography
Huang Hui-Chen was born in Taiwan in 1978. Prior to embarking on her first feature documentary, Huang worked for NGOs such as the Taiwan International Workers Association, China Time’s Trade Union and the Taipei Documentary worker’s Union as Secretary General, advocating for labor rights and social justice. It was during this time that she began documenting the plight of the disadvantaged and the voiceless. She is known for her work on Small Talk (2016) and The Priestess Walks Alone (2016).
Small Talk, which chronicles Huang’s attempts to understand her gay mother and herself through conversations on issues such as trust and domestic abuse, had its international premiere at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival in the Panorama section, and won the 2017 Teddy Award for Best Documentary film.
Graiwoot Chulphongsathorn (Tay)
Biography
Chulphongsathorn is the Acting Head of the Department of Motion Picture and Still Photography, Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
He has published widely in the areas of Thai independent film, Southeast Asian moving images, and ecocinema studies. His work has appeared in journals and publications includingScreen, JCMS: Journal of Cinema and Media Studies, and The Routledge Companion to Asian Cinemas. Beyond his theoretical work, Chulphongsathorn is also a film producer and curator. Three of his films were selected for the Berlinale.
Nottapon Boonprakob (Kai)
Biography
Kai is a writer and director working across narrative features, documentaries, and television. He began his career co-writing
the well-received Thai films Suckseed (2011) and May Who? (2015).
Seeking to explore non-fiction storytelling, he earned a Master's in Social Documentary Film from the School of Visual Arts in New York. His documentary work includes the BAFTA-shortlisted short film Alex (2015), his thesis film Come and See, which competed at the 2019 Busan International Film Festival, and the feature 2,215 (2018), which chronicled a nationwide charity run and was warmly recognized by the Thailand National Film Association Awards.
Returning to narrative features in 2021, Kai collaborated as co-writer and co-director on the Wong Kar-wai-produced One for the Road. The film was awarded the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision at the Sundance Film Festival.
Alongside his film work, Kai co-founded the Bangkok-based production company underDOC film in 2019. His commercial directing has been recognized by Cannes Lions and Spikes Asia, and he looks forward to serving as a judge for the 2026 D&AD Awards.
Most recently, Kai wrote and directed the Netflix Original series Mad Unicorn. The show resonated with audiences in Thailand and abroad, reaching #4 globally in the Non-English TV category and winning Best Screenplay at the Asian Creative Academy.
He is currently preparing for his next written and directed project, the Netflix Original series The Evil Lawyer. Premiering in June 2026, it will mark the first globally streamed series both created and produced by underDOC film.
Roee Messinger
Biography
Roee Messinger is a filmmaker based in New York City, best known as the founder of Platonic Films.
He gained significant critical attention for his directorial debut, American Trial: The Eric Garner Story (2019), an unscripted courtroom drama that premiered at the 57th New York Film Festival.Film Career & Creative WorkMessinger’s work often explores social relevance through innovative narrative structures.American Trial: The Eric Garner Story: This film depicts a mock trial for the death of Eric Garner, utilizing real attorneys and witnesses to imagine the legal proceedings that never actually occurred.Tibi Tendlu: The Dirt that Binds Us (2024): Messinger served as the producer and editor for this feature-length documentary about sexual abuse in Swaziland.
His early work includes the award-winning thesis film Drifting, and he has held roles as an editor or producer on projects like
War Photographer and Lady & the Vamp.Academic & Professional BackgroundEducation: He earned his MFA in Digital Media Production from The City College of New York as a Fulbright Fellow.Teaching: Messinger is a dedicated educator, serving as an adjunct instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and a teaching artist for organizations like Young Audiences New York and the Film Society of Lincoln Center.