Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
ML: The media we consume heavily influences the world we live in, so it’s important that content is diverse and inclusive. I became a writer because I still rarely see these types of stories on screen. And when those films don’t exist, you have to make them yourself, right?
Q: What are we going to see at EFPalooza? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
ML: EFPalooza will be screening the pilot episode of my comedy web-series I Put the Bi in Bitter which follows a bisexual teen and her lesbian BFF as they attempt to survive high school. We’re currently in the middle of a small US festival run, and have recently been accepted to ClexaCon, an LGBT convention in Las Vegas. In March, the series will be shown at the Colorado Dragon Festival which highlights Asian filmmakers. EFP is the first festival in Colorado to screen it. The season in its entirety is available for free on our Youtube channel /SadGirlProductions.
Q: What else are you working on?
ML: My team and I are currently in development of I Put the Bi in Bitter Season Two, which follows the same three characters during their Spring semester of Junior Year, starting right where Season One left off. We plan to wrap production in March and release soon after. I’m also co-creator of Sad Girl Productions, a film production company that creates female-centric comedies, and we have a couple other short films in the works as well.
Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
ML: As a gay woman of color, I’m very passionate about minority representation in film, and my stories often highlight LGBT and POC communities. I ultimately aspires to write and work on TV shows for kids and teens, because I think a huge thing LGBT media is missing right now is being accessible to younger audiences. By creating content like this, I want kids to know that not every LGBT story has to be tragic, or dramatic, or R-rated, or sexual.
Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
ML: Website: sadgirlproductions.com
Instagram: instagram.com/sadgirlprods
Youtube: youtube.com/SadGirlProductions
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about EFPalooza or The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
ML: I’ve been to several of the monthly EFP events and I really respect the work you all do to support indie filmmakers here in Denver. It’s always a great environment to meet other creatives in the local community.
I Put the Bi in Bitter (pilot episode) will screen Thursday, February 21st at 8:00 p.m. at The Bug Theatre as part of the Emerging Filmmakers Project block during the 2019 EFPalooza Film Festival.