Grace
2023
United States
14 mins
Short Film Competition
| Natalie Jasmine Harris | |
| Samiyah Wardlaw, Julia Kennelly, Natalie Jasmine Harris, Morgan B. Powell, and Latavia Young | |
| Jordan Wells (Grace), Alexis Cofield (Louise), Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew (Sister), C L Simpson (Big Mama) |
1950s, USA. Grace and her older sister spend every summer at their grandparents’ house down south. Now that she’s 16, she’s made to follow her family’s religious tradition and get baptized. When Grace learns that a repentance is required before the ritual, she begins to question the budding romantic feelings she has for her best friend, Louise.
Shot on 16mm film and set within a fleeting Summer in the Black American South, Grace exists in conversation with many works of art created in the Black Southern Gothic genre. This time though, through a queer lens that explores the interiority of a Black queer girlhood.
About the Director
Natalie Jasmine Harris is a filmmaker from Maryland passionate about telling coming-of-age stories. Her short film, GRACE, premiered at The 2024 Sundance Film Festival, and her previous short film, PURE, received The DGA Student Film Award and was acquired by HBO, now streaming on HBOMax. Natalie is a current Sundance Ignite Fellow and has participated in artist programs with Film at Lincoln Center, GLAAD, Gotham, SFFILM, Outfest, and more.
Reviews
DMV Women Not to Miss at Sundance Film Festival – Baltimore Art, Coley Gray
Sundance 2024: “Grace” Is a Beautifully Constructed Black Queer Short – Autostraddle, Drew Burnett Gregory
Maryland Filmmaker Debuting Film at Sundance – NBC Washington
From Silver Spring to Sundance — Md. native premieres her new movie at famed festival – WTOP, Linh Bui
Photos (Click on Photo to View)
Awards
2024 The National Film Festival for Talented Youth – Best Cinematography Award
2024 Palm Springs International Short Film Festival Best LGBTQ+ Short Award (nominee), 2024 Oscar® qualifying Best Short Film Under 15Mins Award (nominee)
2024 NewFest: NYC’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival – Emerging Black LGBTQ+ Film Award
