Lesbian Directors Calling the Shots
by Danielle Riendeau, December 4, 2006

We've all had the experience: There we are, sitting in a darkened theater, watching the glory (or horror!) of movie magic unfold on the big screen, thinking to ourselves, “I could do that!” It's especially true of the queer community, since we so rarely get to see our own stories up there on the silver screen. But film also happens to be a notoriously difficult industry to break into, and it's far too expensive and arduous to ever just be a hobby. So what is an ambitious, talented artist with something to say to do? Make a short film.

Though the shorter length presents its own set of challenges — especially from the writing perspective — it's less expensive, requires less overall work and planning, and can be a sort of calling card for new filmmakers looking to break into the film scene. Many a successful feature director cut her creative teeth on short films, showing off her work at film festivals, hoping to get distribution or simply to get her name out there. The queer film festival circuit is especially thriving, and brings in new talent each year.

One queer director who parlayed success in short films to even greater success on feature films is Angela Robinson, whose POWER UP-funded short film, D.E.B.S., screened at several film festivals including Sundance. That screening prompted Sony's Screen Gems to pick up the film, enabling Robinson to direct a feature-length version. Now, Robinson has a multi-picture deal with Disney. She directed the Lindsay Lohan vehicle Herbie: Fully Loaded, and is currently working on Disney's Witches and New Line's upcoming Jenbot, She is also a writer, director and producer on the fourth season of Showtime's The L Word.

Jamie Babbit is another famous breakout case: Her successful shorts (Frog Crossing, Sleeping Beauties) enabled her to get funding for the hit But I'm a Cheerleader. She has also had a successful career directing television (Malcolm in the Middle, Nip/Tuck, Gilmore Girls) and independent films. Her next film, the upcoming Itty Bitty Titty Committee, is also POWER UP's first feature-length film.

But Robinson and Babbit aren't the only lesbian directors who got their start making short films. In fact, the independent film scene is bursting with talent in all kinds of film, from narrative to documentary to experimental films, from shorts to features.

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