TO THE PENAL COLONY
Directed by Li Kai
China · 2026 · 8 min 39 sec · Experimental
Submitted to OnShow International Film Festival 2026Synopsis
Two guards escort a prisoner across a desert to a penal colony, only to find that their arduous journey has led them to an unexpected destination.
About the film
TO THE PENAL COLONY Two guards escort a prisoner to a penal colony on the other side of the desert. After enduring a series of hardships, they finally reach their destination—only to discover that things are not quite what they expected. An absurdist comedy told in the form of a black-and-white silent film.
Director
LI KAI — Director, Writer and Editor Li Kai graduated from the China Film Art Research Center. He wrote the feature film Without End,Without Doubt,produced by Shanghai Nuanliu Culture Communication Co., Ltd., with Jia Zhangke as executive producer and producer. The project was selected for the project markets of the 23rd Busan International Film Festival and the 22nd Shanghai International Film Festival. His short-film writing credit includes CLOUDLESS, which was selected for the 3rd 86358 Short Film Exchange Week. To the Penal Colony is his short film as director, writer and editor.
Publicity materials supplied or expressly authorized by the rights holder. Publication is separate from festival selection.
OnShow International Film Festival — Inaugural Edition · 2026