Outfest Fusion '23 - Young Hearts Run Free Shorts Program
Mikey’s Army
Andrew Keenan-Bolger
Mikey’s Army is a neon-drenched, coming-out fairytale that includes a pop star, a drag queen, and a hunky actor. Mikey (Mark Aguirre) is a nervous teen about to come out to his mother. A pop star magically (Krystina Alabado) comes out of the poster on his wall, followed by a YouTube drag queen (Jesus Martinez) popping out of his phone, and an actor (Claybourne Elder) from the cover of a men’s magazine under his bed. This ragtag trio acts as Mikey’s fairy godparents to prepare him for the upcoming conversation. They encourage him to be himself and embrace the things that make him special. It’s a charming short film about how self-acceptance can come from the strangest places, and about the giddiness of young love.
Shoot Your Shot
Mishaal Memon
Shoot Your Shot takes place over the course of one afternoon and centers on Ronit (Dillon Mitra) and Brennan (Lance West), teenage best friends. It’s a simple and lovely take on a new type of masculinity. Over the course of twelve minutes, Ronit and Brennan laugh at memes on the internet, try to learn to skateboard, and awkwardly talk about their feelings. It’s clunky and they’re out of their comfort zones, but their earnestness makes it all the more charming. There’s love between them, deeper than they’re able to vocalize, and it’s so lovely to watch them try.
Welcome to Celibacy Club
Campbell Moore
Welcome to Celibacy Club is a light-heartened, meaningful look at asexuality. In an effort to connect with people in real life who identify as asexual, Emmy (Abitha Nunis) joins the celibacy club at her school. Of course, the plan sort of backfires because most of the students in the club are religious, not asexual. Welcome to Celibacy Club is one of the few representations of asexuality that comes from an honest, respectful place. In a non-after-school-special way, Welcome to Celibacy Club is a good primer for those who don’t understand what asexuality is. The short film manages to educate and entertain without talking down to its audience. It also speaks to the necessity of creating spaces where people feel safe and accepted.
Viv’s Silly Mango
Rachel Maxine Anderson
Viv’s Silly Mango bookends the shorts program with another short film about the anxiety related to coming out. Viv (Hami Pham) develops a crush on the new kid in school, Nikki (Ixara Dorizac). They’re thrown together in band class as they participate in a school competition. The burgeoning relationship throws Viv’s friendship with her best friend, Esther (Ainslie Ryan), into chaos. The film’s almost-thirty-minute runtime allows the audience to really sink into the anxiety, heartache, and sweetness of a first crush. More than that, the riot grrrl band that Esther, Viv, and Nikki form might be one of the best fictitious bands to ever exist. It’s hard not to be charmed by the story of a ragtag group of girls beating the school bullies in a battle of the bands. It doesn’t hurt that their original songs could qualify them to be the opening act for Bikini Kill.
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