About the Project

WORK is a narrative short film that follows Gabriela, a queer Chicana, who decides to go back to an old night job as an underground lap dancer, after a recent breakup. There, she unexpectedly reconnects with an old friend, and begins a journey of finding her way back to herself. The film is being made as a part of American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women in 2021.

*all images are for concept purposes only, the film has not been shot or cast*

Work is ultimately a story about a woman begining a journey to finding her way back to herself after a breakup. In its nuanced and authentic depiction of Gabriela’s work world, the film also sees lap dancing as a job with its up and downs like any other, and in doing so, challenges preconveiced notions of sex workers. It also explores the complexity of intimacy within this world, and shows the commonality of queerness within these traditionally heteronormative spaces.

For me, this film depicts a journey of self reclaimation, queer female intimacy, and healing after a breakup. It also shows a nuanced glimpse into one tiny corner of the sex work industry, in its depiction of underground lap dance parties, which I have never seen depicted.

Why this film now?

Latinx characters currently only represent about 4.5% of characters in film (despite being 18% of the US population), which means Latinas are only a fraction of that! Not to mention depictions of sex workers as nuanced and complex characters, especially told from a queer or female perspective, are still rare. By telling stories from underrepresented perspectives, we challenge audiences perceptions, and we create space and validity for experiences which may differ from what is usually depicted in the mainstream.

What is AFI’s DWW?

I was recently accepted into AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women, a prestigious program that is committed to increasing the number of women & non-binary people working as directors in film and television! As 1 of the 8 participants, I will receive tuition-free film education and mentorship. The films will showcase and play festivals in 2021!

Since its inception in 1974, the DWW has graduated over 300 alumnae, such as Maya Angelou, Ellen Burstyn, Cicely Tyson, Tricia Brock (The Deuce, The Walking Dead, Mozart in the Jungle), Hanelle M. Culpepper (Star Trek: Discovery, The Flash, Empire), Tricia Brock (Orange in the New Black), Jennifer Getzinger (How To Get Away With Murder, Outlander, Jessica Jones), and Lesli Linka Glatter (Mad Men, The West Wing, Homeland).

Past faculty and mentors who have championed the DWW mission include Ava DuVernay (WHEN THEY SEE US), Patty Jenkins (WONDER WOMAN), Kimberly Peirce (BOYS DON’T CRY), Jamie Babbit (RUSSIAN DOLL), Issa Rae (INSECURE) and Lena Waithe (MASTER OF NONE).

Previous Work:

It has been a long journey to get to the AFI Directing Workshop for Women and I certainly didn’t do it alone! A wonderful team helped me bring my last project, AFTER YOU LEFT, to life! 

AFTER YOU LEFT was created with a super indie budget and shot in 3 days. It had an incredible festival run—playing festivals such as, Palm Springs Int’l Shortfest, Hollyshorts, Outfest Fusion, Kashish Mumbai, Flickerfest Australia, Newfest in NYC and more! We were so lucky to travel with it and see it go around the world. We hope to bring WORK to even more festivals in the US and internationally.

Where does the money go?

Though the American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women provides me with free education, training, and guidance on this short film project, we are still required to fundraise the entire budget of our projects. Filmmaking is expensive even at the indie level, and we need funds to pay for a 5-day shoot and post-production! We have already raised $4,000 in direction donations to our AFI account! This is what we need additionally to gauruntee we can make our film!

The budget includes hiring talented professional crew, renting film equipment, feeding everyone, production design, props, costume budgets, location fees, permits for filming, and post production costs such as editing, music and sound design! Though we are getting discounted rates on many things, it still adds up!

Don't Forget!

The American Film Institute is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization which means your pledge may be tax-deductible!