There are so many short films out there featuring lesbians and bi sexual women at the leads, and here at AfterEllen we do wish we could cover them all! However, today on the site we will be focusing on the indie 2023 short film, The BreakUp.
The Breakup is less than ten minutes long, but has a lasting impact in those short nine (plus) minutes. The film itself dropped in February of 2023, about a week after its trailer was released; it is free to stream on YouTube, which we love to see. To release the short for free is a big deal because it makes it accessible to everyone – spreading love, recognition, and equality as a result. The short film was written and directed by Savonne Pearson, a 24-year-old who loves to tell stories and challenge perspectives.
“Whether it be through commentary or a series, in each video, I aim to teach you something new or tell a story,” Pearson writes. “I talk a lot about lesbian topics, heavily promote normalizing talking about mental health within the Black community, and take you with me as I begin to navigate this thing called adulthood.”
Pearson actually wrote the main character of the film in what we can guess is her own image, as they share the same first name. In these nine minutes, you see Savonne (the character) go through a very unexpected breakup. However, the breakup itself is intriguing because Savonne then goes on a journey to uncover the mysteries as to why the breakup happened in the first place.
It is difficult to tell a multi-layered, sapphic, breakup film in a matter of minutes. Pearson does exactly that, and released the film for free. You will go into the video expecting lower budgets, younger writing, cheesey stereotypes, perhaps. However, you will leave feeling somewhat hopeful for the future and how younger voices are shaping a generation of love and acceptance. It an amazing feat to see this creativity while also allowing and holding space for those that would not be able to see this at a festival. Thus, Pearson creates a film that highlights inclusivity of minorities, lesbians/sapphics/WLW, and disabled humans all in one place.
You can stream The Breakup, a Lesbian Short Film (2023) for free on Youtube. Just tap the link below!
