Short Documentary, 17 minutes
Smile tells the intimate story of a young Vietnamese girl born with a cleft lip, whose family is given the chance for reconstructive surgery. The film follows them through a deeply emotional journey, filled with both fear and hope, as they prepare for this transformative moment. While the Dutch and Vietnamese surgeons provide the medical expertise, the heart of the story remains with the family, their resilience, and their unconditional love.
Directed by Arthur de Weerdt and produced by Muvipro in collaboration with the Help2Smile Foundation, Smile highlights how a seemingly small medical procedure can completely change the course of a life. The film not only captures a single story, but also reflects the broader mission of Help2Smile, which works to provide free surgeries for children with cleft conditions and to raise awareness about the structural need for medical support in Vietnam.
With an authentic visual style and a warm, human focus, Smile sheds light on global health inequality while celebrating compassion, care, and human connection. The documentary premiered at Shortcutz Amsterdam on September 30th, 2025, and was officially selected for the 2025 Shortcutz Amsterdam competition.
Director, DOP & Producer – Arthur de Weerdt
Producer – Celine van den Bosch
Executive Producers – Roland van der Hoek, Johan Vehof
Cinematography & Editing – Arthur de Weerdt
Music – Composed by Arthur de Weerdt & InAudio
Production Coordinator – Celine van den Bosch
Field Producer (Vietnam) – Kim Phi Luong
Medical Advisors & Coordinators – Nguyễn Hoàng Lân, Thông Lê Trung
Chairman – Roland van der Hoek
Treasurer – Sander Benraad
Secretary – Dr. Johan Vehof
Fundraising – Mirella Kreger
Board Member – Drs. Kim Phi Luong
Ambassador – Janny van der Heijden
Archival Footage Courtesy of MPI Stock Footage Archive
Rector Professor Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy, MD, PhD
Dr. Minh Phương
Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Doctors & Assistants
Nguyễn Thụy Hiệu, Thiên & Bích Ngọc – For sharing their story
The entire Help2Smile team for making this mission possible
Dr. Johan Vehof – Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Bob Logjes – Plastic Surgeon in Training
Drs. Kim Phi Luong – Medical Researcher, Plastic Surgery
Kirsten Huizinga – Surgical Assistant
Dr. Chantal Liebrand – Pediatric Anesthesiologist & Pediatrician
Geoffrey de Roy van Zuydewijn – Anesthesia Assistant