Cookies Left Out to Cool is a cinematic exploration of my relationship with my grandmother and the profound anxiety that strained our relationship as I navigated coming out. Inspired by memories of baking cookies with my own grandmother, the film captures the intense fear of coming out in a Catholic household.
When I was processing my own sexuality, I was terrified to reveal myself to anyone, let alone my grandparents for fear of their reaction. Having grown up in a Catholic household, being gay wasn't accepted or discussed openly. The way my coming out to my grandparents happened is something that I wish had gone differently. Unlike Luke in this film, I did not share this part of me on my own terms— something I regret.
I wrote and directed this film out of a desire to reimagine that coming out moment. In telling this story onscreen, I hope to expose the restlessness when standing at the crossroads of your religious upbringing and your own identity, revealing what it looks like to take the first step forward.
CAST
Luke: Samuel Ludens
Wyonne: Ina Pinkney
CREW
Director: Adamson Novak
Producer: Adamson Novak
Writer: Adamson Novak
1st AD: Jillian Walls
Director of Photography: Taylor Peterson
1st AC: Alyson Wong
1st AC: Kylie Ramirez
Gaffer: Ryder Allen
Sound Mixer: Cristian Cholula
Script Supervisor: Sadie Dallas
BTS Photographer: Jules Martinez
Editor: Adamson Novak
Sound Designer: Lucas Haviland
Composer: Ilia Klimenchenko
Craft Services: Christopher Hunsicker
