The films include ‘This Perfect Day’ and ‘Ponyboi’.
Chinese Australian Director Lydia Rui’s This Perfect Day was created by a predominately by a female key crew and stars Lee Mason (Underbelly, Crime and Punishment) and introduces non-binary lead Michelle Keating.
In writing this topical film Rui drew inspiration from her own life. This Perfect Day will screen in Tribeca as one of only 63 shorts, selected from a record number of 5131 submissions!
Julia, a wayward youth, walks into a music store. This could be a day that changes their life.
Lydia Rui graduated with a BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She traveled through North America and Europe as a videographer for Beyoncé Knowles’ Mrs. Carter World Tour ’13-‘14. Upon returning to Melbourne, she was a full-time Director’s Assistant for award-winning production company Exit Films from ’14-‘16. Her short documentary, ‘This is Yarra’ (2018), World Premiered at DOC NYC 2018 — America’s largest Academy® qualifying documentary festival.
It had its National Premiere at the Academy® & BAFTA qualifying 28th Flickerfest International Short Film Festival in the ‘Best Documentaries — International and Australian’ competition.
‘This Perfect Day’ (2018) is Lydia’s second narrative short. Her transnational background allows her to bring a nuanced, empathic eye to every subject. Lydia seeks to empower, enrich, and enliven through cinematic storytelling. She is particularly interested in stories that center marginalized experiences, believing that moving image is the most powerful conduit for expanding empathy.
River Gallo’s touching drama ‘Ponyboi’ about a sex worker seeking romance.
Ponyboi, is the first narrative film, by and starring an out intersex individual in cinema history. River Gallo and Sadé Clacken Joseph direct this live-action short capturing a charming young intersex man who turns tricks in the New Jersey laundromat where he works.
Ponyboi, an Intersex sex-worker, looks for love and to escape his seedy life in New Jersey. Through an encounter with the man of his dreams, Ponyboi discovers his worth.