Sundance - I Like Girls
An incredible animation about first loves, one-sided infatuation, mutual attraction, erotic moments, and fumbling attempts at sexual expression.
Interview with filmmaker Diane Obomsawin
Watch I Like Girls here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
A few years ago, I remembered that every time I changed school I’d pick a girl to secretly fall in love with. I changed schools 14 times, so I fell in love a lot. I kept up that habit for decades, without even really being aware of it.
Around the time I was remembering this detail from my childhood, I was reading a book by Michel Tremblay in which he talks about how, when he was 16, he realized he was gay because every time he saw a couple kissing – on a book cover, or in a movie – he always identified with the woman being kissed by the man.
I became curious about other personal stories of being attracted to other people of the same sex. So I asked some friends this question: “What is your first memory of being attracted to another woman – even if you weren’t aware of it at the time?” Ten of my friends confided in me and shared their stories, which I adapted into a graphic novel.
Later, my producer – Marc Bertrand at the NFB – wanted to make an animated film based on the book. We chose four stories to adapt: the most romantic, the funniest, the saddest, and the most autobiographical.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I’d say because you are going to see a funny, romantic, and sensual film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The overall theme of my film is love – specifically the unsettling, intoxicating, destabilizing emotions we experience when we fall in love for the first time. The emotional charge is even greater when you fall in love with someone of the same sex. All the stories in my film are true. I think the best way to tell a universal story is by talking about what’s most familiar to us.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The final result is pretty faithful to the storyboard. Because it takes so long to make an animated film, I like to know that I’m on the right track before getting started. Fortunately, there’s still a lot of room to improvise, and for each scene I ask myself the best way to approach it.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The most touching feedback came from a young woman who completely identified with one of the stories from the graphic novel. I assigned an animal to each story, and for this one it was an owl. She sent me a picture of the owl she’d had tattooed on her arm and told me how helpful she had found the story. Using an animal helped make the situation less dramatic and create a bit of distance for the women who told me their stories.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback that has surprised me the most is from men who identified with the stories. Hearing that made me realize that my film is, above all, a film about love.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Unfortunately, short films are usually not all that accessible to a large audience. Living in Montreal, in Canada, I’m thrilled that a media outlet in Australia wants to talk about my film and increase its visibility.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I would say journalists, film festival directors, and film critics.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Most of all, I hope my film can help take some weight off the shoulders of young people worried about coming out.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I’d like my film to spark questions around sexual awakening, and accepting yourself when you feel different.
Interview: February 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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I LIKE GIRLS, by Diane Obomsawi
An incredible animation about first loves, one-sided infatuation, mutual attraction, erotic moments, and fumbling attempts at sexual expression.
Statistics: 41 selections in festivals + 8 prizes
Winner of eight awards to date, including the Nelvana Grand Prize for Independent Short Animation at the Ottawa International Animation Festival and Best LGBT Short at the New York City Short Film Festival, this eight-minute film was produced by Marc Bertrand, with Julie Roy as executive producer for the NFB’s French Animation Studio.
LIST
Winnipeg, Canada - Cinémental
New York, US - New York City Short Film Festival
Barcelone, Espagne - L'Alternativa / Festival International de cinéma indépendant
Montréal, Canada - Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois
Montréal, Canada - Sommets du cinéma d'animation
Montréal, Canada - Festival International du film pour enfants (FIFEM)
Calgary, Canada - GIRAF International Festival of Independent Animation
Ottawa, Canada - Festival international d'animation
Available online starting February 14 on:
ü ONF.ca/NFB.ca (morning, EST)
ü Facebook & YouTube (at noon EST) /
ü Territories: World (except Europe & North Africa)
Social Media:
INSTAGRAM @onf_nfb
Blogs
http://blogue.onf.ca/
Hashtag
#nfb #animation #nfbanimation #jaimelesfilles #ilikegirls #happyworkerpins #lgbtq #lstw #lesbiansofinstagram #lesbian #girlpower #girlswholikegirls #lesbianculture #LGBT #ilikegirlsfilm #nationalfilmboardofcanada #dianeobomsawin⠀ #valentinesday #pincollector #flair #pinlife #pins