Give as a gift
This collection of short narratives addresses familial relationships in all their highs and lows. Whether it's siblings, parents, or grandparents, these films approach complex these complex and often strained relationships from all angles and perspectives.
This screening features 9 films. Toggle between film descriptions by scrolling and clicking on the buttons on the top right.
Thirteen-year-old science prodigy Tessie embarks on an extraordinary mission to save her grandmother Lola's precious memories as dementia sets in. Using a machine she invents, Tessie enters Lola's mind, discovering a magnificent library where each memory is a book. Desperate to preserve a cherished memory of them singing karaoke, Tessie must navigate the challenges posed by Mena, an AI webcam representing the encroaching dementia. In this touching journey, Tessie grapples with whether to keep fighting for Lola's memories or to accept the inevitable changes.
Director Biography - Grace Hanna
Grace Hanna is a Filipino-American filmmaker obsessed with heartfelt genre stories. Originally from New Jersey, they earned their BFA in Film & TV and Art & Public Policy from NYU Tisch, and recently graduated with their MFA in Directing from AFI, receiving the Alan J. Pakula and Henry Hathaway awards.
They are currently touring festivals with their thesis film, “Lola,” which has screened at UTA/Gold House, AFI Fest, LA Asian Pacific Film Festival, and Indy Shorts Film Festival, where they received the 2024 Directorial Debut Award. Grace has been a director’s assistant and shadowed on Aquarius (NBC) and Chance (Hulu) and their work has been shortlisted for competitions at Sundance Sloan, Disney, and Sony. They are in post-production on their next film, “Halcyon Days,” sponsored by Film Independent’s Artist Development Program.
Director Statement
Growing up, my grandmother practically raised me. She was a teacher, who taught me how to read and write long before I started school. More importantly, she was a storyteller, and she instilled in me a love of story.
When my grandmother first started developing Alzheimer’s, it felt like I was living with a ghost of the person I knew. It was an odd limbo, a longing for connection with a lost version of someone I loved. I want LOLA to capture this feeling: our time on earth is way too short — all we can do is enjoy every moment we have left. The emotional core of the story is believing the loved ones we’ve lost are still out there — and learning how to let go.
I want this film to bring comfort to people who are grieving the slow loss of their loved ones to dementia. I want them to know that their loved ones live on in us, and the stories we tell about them.
- Year2024
- Runtime11 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- PremierePacific Northwest
- DirectorGrace Hanna
- ScreenwriterGrace Hanna, Derek Manansala, Duke Yang
- ProducerUloaku Anyiam-Osigwe, Eduardo Maia, Molvatu Sae-ue
- CastEva Noblezada, Ren Hanami, Jovie Leigh
This collection of short narratives addresses familial relationships in all their highs and lows. Whether it's siblings, parents, or grandparents, these films approach complex these complex and often strained relationships from all angles and perspectives.
This screening features 9 films. Toggle between film descriptions by scrolling and clicking on the buttons on the top right.
Thirteen-year-old science prodigy Tessie embarks on an extraordinary mission to save her grandmother Lola's precious memories as dementia sets in. Using a machine she invents, Tessie enters Lola's mind, discovering a magnificent library where each memory is a book. Desperate to preserve a cherished memory of them singing karaoke, Tessie must navigate the challenges posed by Mena, an AI webcam representing the encroaching dementia. In this touching journey, Tessie grapples with whether to keep fighting for Lola's memories or to accept the inevitable changes.
Director Biography - Grace Hanna
Grace Hanna is a Filipino-American filmmaker obsessed with heartfelt genre stories. Originally from New Jersey, they earned their BFA in Film & TV and Art & Public Policy from NYU Tisch, and recently graduated with their MFA in Directing from AFI, receiving the Alan J. Pakula and Henry Hathaway awards.
They are currently touring festivals with their thesis film, “Lola,” which has screened at UTA/Gold House, AFI Fest, LA Asian Pacific Film Festival, and Indy Shorts Film Festival, where they received the 2024 Directorial Debut Award. Grace has been a director’s assistant and shadowed on Aquarius (NBC) and Chance (Hulu) and their work has been shortlisted for competitions at Sundance Sloan, Disney, and Sony. They are in post-production on their next film, “Halcyon Days,” sponsored by Film Independent’s Artist Development Program.
Director Statement
Growing up, my grandmother practically raised me. She was a teacher, who taught me how to read and write long before I started school. More importantly, she was a storyteller, and she instilled in me a love of story.
When my grandmother first started developing Alzheimer’s, it felt like I was living with a ghost of the person I knew. It was an odd limbo, a longing for connection with a lost version of someone I loved. I want LOLA to capture this feeling: our time on earth is way too short — all we can do is enjoy every moment we have left. The emotional core of the story is believing the loved ones we’ve lost are still out there — and learning how to let go.
I want this film to bring comfort to people who are grieving the slow loss of their loved ones to dementia. I want them to know that their loved ones live on in us, and the stories we tell about them.
- Year2024
- Runtime11 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- PremierePacific Northwest
- DirectorGrace Hanna
- ScreenwriterGrace Hanna, Derek Manansala, Duke Yang
- ProducerUloaku Anyiam-Osigwe, Eduardo Maia, Molvatu Sae-ue
- CastEva Noblezada, Ren Hanami, Jovie Leigh
