Fantasy Film "Happy Birthday to Her" Wraps Production, Empowering Women and Girls through Storytelling

Editor
Oct 13
3 min read

October 13, 2025 (Toronto, Canada) — The independent fantasy film Happy Birthday to Her has officially wrapped production in Richmond Hill (within the Greater Toronto Area) after a meaningful journey that began during the Mid-Autumn Festival and concluded over the Thanksgiving weekend. Written, directed, and produced by award-winning filmmaker MAO Yu Lynn Yuan, Happy Birthday to Her tells a touching intergenerational story about “the power of believing in yourself”. The experimental art film explores the intertwined journeys of three generations of women, offering a warm and healing reflection on female growth and the power of self-belief. Through its deeply emotional storytelling and visual artistry, the film aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) — empowering women and girls, and promoting equal opportunities for all.

(About SDG 5: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality)

“This film, Happy Birthday to Her, is both a celebration and a reflection — of growth across different life stages of women, and a positive message to call on the power of believing in yourself. In the end, life always finds a way to reward those who keep going — offering them a surprise gift when they least expect it. The power of believing in yourself — it’s something many women spend their entire lives learning — but it also belongs to men who endure their own doubts, confusion, and pain, often without being allowed to cry it out. ‘Bloom where you’re planted’ is the final line written in Selen’s diary in the last scene of the movie. I dedicate it to the actress whose life was encouraged and impacted by this film before it was even finished — and to all the hers, hims, and theys out there who may one day find a piece of themselves in the story.” said director MAO Yu Lynn Yuan. “Our crew and cast are also very grateful for the City of Richmond Hill and local communities like Richmond Hill Public Library and Becker’s, whose support made this film production better.”

The production was shot across various locations in the Greater Toronto Area, with principal photography taking place primarily in Richmond Green Park, supported by the City of Richmond Hill and local communities like Richmond Hill Public Library (Richmond Green Branch) and Becker’s convenience store chain in Richmond Hill.

The story follows Sean, a young girl who discovers her late aunt Selen’s diary during a funeral. Each year after, on her birthday, Sean returns to Selen’s memorial bench — a ritual that becomes a journey of remembrance, healing, and rediscovery. The film stars Tia Andriani as Adult Sean, Fiona Short as Youth Sean, and Gail Bevilacqua as Selen.

With post-production now underway, Happy Birthday to Her is set to launch its international film festival run between late 2025 and 2026, with screening announcements expected between 2026 and 2027.

About the Film

Happy Birthday to Her is a fantasy (short) and experimental art film by MAO Yu Lynn Yuan. Through the intertwined journeys of three generations of women, the film offers a warm and healing reflection on female strength and identity — echoing the global call for gender equality and women’s empowerment under UN SDG 5.

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38672524/

About MAO Yu Lynn Yuan

MAO Yu Lynn Yuan is an award-winning director and screenwriter known for creating films from a distinctly female perspective. Her work combines experimental storytelling, poetic visual style, and socially conscious themes, often exploring identity, gender equality, and personal empowerment. With her award-winning debut film Mermaid in the Garden of Escapism (2024) having premiered at CIFF, Mao Yu Lynn Yuan continues to use cinema as a platform to amplify women’s voices and inspire meaningful dialogue through art.

Happy Birthday to Her

Director：MAO Yu Lynn Yuan

Screenwriter：MAO Yu Lynn Yuan

Producer：MAO Yu Lynn Yuan

Starring：Tia Andriani (Adult Sean), Fiona Short (Youth Sean), Gail Bevilacqua (Selen)

Genre：Fantasy (Short) / Experimental Art Film

Production Country/Region：Canada

Production Company：FANIQUE

Language：English

Release Date：2026/2027 (TBD)

Cast

Sean (Adult) // Tia Andriani