After struggling with anxiety for years, 17-year-old Shoye discovers that she's a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Overwhelmed by fear of rejection from her family, Shoye has a vision of her loved ones abandoning her after she comes out.

Directed by

Kalina Thomas

2025

4:38 mins

United States of America

Feb 1, 2025

In Competition

2025

However, Shoye finds solace in a podcast, The Observation Podcast, hosted by a man named Keeon Hill, who shares his thoughts and offers his support to listeners struggling with their identity.

Encouraged by the podcast, Shoye decides to confront her fears and come out to her family. As Shoye tries to navigate the challenges of being a young, queer woman, she must also confront her own anxiety and self-doubt. With the help of the podcast host, Shoye learns to embrace her true identity and to find the strength to stand up for herself, even in the face of rejection and misunderstanding.

Director

Kalina Thomas

Writer & Producer

Kalina Thomas

Cast

Mary Carlotta Wood

Tyrone O’Neil Thomas

After struggling with anxiety for years, 17-year-old Shoye discovers that she's a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Overwhelmed by fear of rejection from her family, Shoye has a vision of her loved ones abandoning her after she comes out.

About
Kalina Thomas

Kalina Thomas is a talented photographer and filmmaker who grew up in Odenton, MD, although she is originally from Baltimore, MD. She specializes in Film and New Media in the Apex Arts Magnet Program at Annapolis High School.

Influenced by renowned photographers, she crafts aesthetically pleasing and emotionally rich creations, connecting her personal experiences with her audience. In her 2023 short film, Identity (2024) she delves into LGBTQ+ themes, leaving viewers intrigued by the depth of her work.