Format: Short film

Producers: Leela Varghese & Suriyna Sivashanker

Writer & Director: Leela Varghese

Editor: Pip Hart

Year: 2025

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When a romantic gesture towards a bartender backfires, Lali unexpectedly finds herself offered a pity date by another bartender, Ana. What starts as an awkward encounter turns into a genuine connection as they bond over shared experiences as women of color. As they grow closer, Lali finds herself falling for Ana. But when the conversation takes an unexpected turn, Lali must confront her prejudices towards Ana and... herself.

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Awards

Winner of Best Editing in Short Drama at Australian Screen Editors Awards 2025

Winner of Special Jury Award at South By South West Film Festival 2025

Winner of Best in Show at Wicked Queer: The Boston LGBT Film Festival 2025

Winner of Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film at Melbourne Queer Film Festival 2025

Winner of Best Short Film at CinefestOz Film Festival 2025

Winer of Grand Jury Prize for Best Short at South Australian Screen Awards 2025

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“Charming, contemporary, and polished. This film is a lyrical study of beauty and identity that balances the weight of internalized shame with the frivolity of a burgeoning romance. The Special Jury Award celebrates the director’s confidence in their examination of intersectional issues through the curious lens of two queer South Asian women.”

    - Narrative Shorts Competition Jury: Amy Beecroft, Verve Ventures; Jaycie Luo, MRC; Sara Rastogi, EVP, Development, HOORAE

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“This film is just completely joyful to me. Number one it’s got extraordinary visual flair, and fun and panache. It describes dating in a kind of zany way. And it’s just full of spirit and joy, and I absolutely adored it.”

    - Andrew Scott​​​