Cosmic Rhapsody : A Symphony for our Planet, 5min., USA
Directed by susan Mey Lee Lim, Manu Martin, Christina Teenz Tan
In 2020, the world seemed to be on the brink. A global pandemic raged, wildfires scorched the earth, and anxieties soared. Yet, amidst this turmoil, a spark of hope ignited: NASA astronauts returned to space aboard SpaceX's CrewDragon, the first mission of its kind in nearly a decade. This inspiring event, against the backdrop of a world in crisis, gave birth to "Cosmic Rhapsody."

https://www.instagram.com/cosmicrhap/

Get to know filmmaker Susan Lim:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

What truly inspired me was the powerful optimism of NASA's historic return to space on May 30, 2020, aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon—a ray of hope that cut through the darkness of 2020's global catastrophes, specifically the California wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. Cosmic Rhapsody is a direct response to that tension. The film blends these real-world events with a moving musical journey, masterfully composed by Manu Martin, to explore three critical themes: the urgency of climate change, the potential of AI, and humanity's resilient future in space. It's a symphony dedicated to our planet and the enduring human spirit.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
We were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, so while the music was recorded once restrictions lifted in 2021, it took a few more years for us to complete the film. So, 3 yr for this short film, and 5 years for an upcoming feature film, soon to be completed.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Resilience, Impactful

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of this crisis on humanity, music and film-making.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
My initial reactions were a mix of humility, enlightenment, and gratitude. To see the audience connecting with the core themes—the tension between global catastrophes and the hope of space exploration—was incredibly humbling. More importantly, the video provided invaluable instruction. It highlighted where the emotional arcs landed strongest and, crucially, pointed to specific areas I can now refine and strengthen. It was the best kind of feedback: constructive, heartfelt, and ultimately a huge motivation to make the final cut even better.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I certainly wasn't expecting it, but the moment arrived in 2010 when I was invited by Lakshmi Pratury, the founder of INK Talks, to speak in Lavasa, India, as a pioneering surgeon. I was immensely humbled to be sharing the stage with people like keynote speaker James Cameron and Deepak Chopra. It was there I discovered the profound satisfaction of translating complex medical science into an accessible story for a general audience. This initial spark was nurtured when I later met Samudra Kajal Saikia, an art historian and animation artist, at another INK conference; he opened my eyes to the potential of animation and filmmaking. However, the true 'aha!' moment came in 2019 at UCLA Theatre. Watching my own script unfold into action and live dialogue, directed by Dean Brian Kite, I absolutely loved the visual and emotional power of the medium. That's when I knew I had to be a filmmaker.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
The film I've seen the most, hands down, is the Pixar animated movie HOME, starring the character Oh and the Boov. It's my go-to film because it's a pure shot of joy and optimism. No matter what mood I'm in, its humor and heartfelt story about acceptance and finding a place in the universe instantly lifts my heart and always brings a genuine smile to my face. It's a reminder of the simple power of cinematic storytelling.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Your Experimental festival is doing great, and frankly, offers more support and opportunities than most. To help filmmakers like us truly further our careers, the key area is bridging the distribution gap. While we appreciate the exposure, we need help transitioning from festival screening to acquisition. This means implementing dedicated 'Market' or 'Acquisitions' focused days—creating direct, facilitated access to decision-makers and buyers from major studios and platforms like Netflix and Amazon. Transforming the festival into a reliable launchpad for acquisition is the element that would satisfy us most.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
My experience working on the FilmFreeway festival platform has been excellent. I find the site incredibly reliable and user-friendly, particularly because it streamlines the submission process. Having all my assets and film details stored in one place makes applying to numerous festivals efficient. Most importantly, it gives me immediate and easy access to such a wide and diverse range of film festivals globally, which is invaluable for any filmmaker.

10. What is your favorite meal?
As I travel almost monthly around the world, I love indulging in different cuisines. My favorites are decidedly French and Japanese, as they offer a perfect duality. I love French cuisine for its inherent sense of celebration and rich indulgence. But I equally adore Japanese food for its exquisite minimalism, precision, and healthy approach. They represent the two sides of my ideal meal experience.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
We're currently moving forward on a dual track. First, we are expanding the world of Cosmic Rhapsody by planning more short film releases based on the individual ACTs, and making significant progress toward completing the feature film version. Second, our artistic focus has already shifted to our next big project, Symphony of Oceans. We're actively recording the music for this new film, which promises to be an equally ambitious blend of original score and cinematic vision. It's a busy time, filled with excitement and new challenges, and we appreciate the opportunity to partner with your Festival for submissions and feedback along the way.