GAY-ISH, 12min., USA, Romance
Directed by Michelle Askew
A young woman reevaluates her sexuality when she attends a college reunion party with her long time boyfriend... and an unrequited female love.

Director Statement
We’ve seen the typical coming out story. We’ve even seen the untypical coming out story. And we’ve definitely seen the tragic lesbian love story. As the LGBTQ + community makes strides toward more representation, the diversity, genuineness, and messiness of our stories deserve the same representation.

Loosely inspired by my own coming out, GAYISH tells the story of a young woman JANE , grasping tightly to the identity and life she’s always known as a “straight” woman, dating her best friend turned long term boyfriend. But in a GEN Z world where labels aren’t necessary and identity is ever shifting, Jane is constantly haunted by the desires she’s never confronted... and terrified that she never will.

As a stand alone short, it’s important for me to tell this story with women who have lived it, and was made by a completely female and/or LGBTQ crew. I intend to submit it to festivals, particularly ones aimed to celebrate female and queer filmmakers. In addition, I also see GAYISH as a proof of concept for a half hour dramedy series exploring what it means to love someone, the challenges of re-defining yourself, and navigating the firsts of the world of dating women. The L Word for a new generation, Jane never feels quite straight or gay enough, and finds both freedom in exploration and shame in a sometimes complicated community - all while basking in the glow of some bisexual lighting.

GAYISH ask the question: Who are you if you don’t know who you are? And when is it too late to find out?

Spoiler: It’s never too late.