mirrorball

I strive to tell authentic stories with pride; I want my directing career to focus on stories that share the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community out loud. We live in a very uncertain time— the rights of this community constantly are in question, and the rhetoric surrounding us is concerning and frightening. Ultimately, my work seeks to showcase what it means to grow up, experience, and view the world through the lens of a queer individual. 

Mirrorball is one such example of that exploration. This film seeks to explore queer friendships and the heartbreak of unrequited love. I wanted to capture the raw and authentic power of two friends reminiscing on their coming out journeys over wine, examining their past and present. I have experienced these conversations; Mirrorball was inspired by my own experiences coming out as gay. There are times of deep reflection, questioning what could have been? What would life have been like if I could have come out sooner? These questions feel like a crushing weight, like the world is closing in. It is that realization that we have grown up outside of the heteronormative framework— it feels like we are always catching up, catching up on our friendships, our romantic lives, our ability to live authentically as our true selves. 

As a director, I want to continue to make more space for LGBTQIA+ stories to shine on screen. I want my work to say something, speak some truth about the world we live in. If my work can have an impact on even just one individual, make one person feel safe and empowered to live their best, authentic self, then I can rest easy knowing I made a difference. Film has the power to make change in this world, and I want to be included in that story. 

Mirrorball was directed for DePaul University's FILM 385: Blocking for the Camera under the teaching of Ambarien Alqadar.