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Vote for Lola (2023)
Lola Sutherland has always been number one in everything, but when her chance of getting into a top college is jeopardized, she campaigns for student council president in order to get ahead. Her best friend Val films a documentary of her progress along the way. Lola drives Val away with her reckless campaign tactics. At the final speech Lola finally realizes her feelings for Val and is faced with the decision between what she believes she should do and what she wants to do. Lola runs from the speech, forfeiting the campaign and reunites with her best friend and true love, Val.
Please tell us your motivation for making your film:
I was really interested in creating a mockumentary due to the style of comedy inherent within the genre. I love comedy where the presence of the camera is part of the joke. Additionally, I felt that a mockumentary coming of age would be allow me to explore a really strong and nuanced point of view. The protagonist had to pretend like she's confident for the camera, but struggles to hide her feelings of uncertainty.
What are the themes and central messages you wanted to convey with your submission?:
"Vote for Lola" is about returning to yourself and reconnecting with your own wants. Furthermore, it is about embracing those passions instead of feeling ashamed of them and repressing them. It's about finding joy in the decision to be yourself despite the hardship of such a decision.
Specs:
Project Type:
Student, Short
Genres:
Romance, Comedy, Romcom, Mockumentary
Runtime:
12 minutes 22 seconds
Completion Date:
May 3, 2023
Production Budget:
2,500 USD
Country of Origin:
United States
Country of Filming:
United States
Language:
English
Shooting Format:
Digital
Film Color:
Color
First-time Filmmaker:
No
Student Project:
Yes - Loyola Marymount University
Vote for Lola (2023) Credits:
Emma Bartels
Director
Emma Bartels
Writer
Kirsten Osei Bonsu
Producer
Emma Bartels
Producer
Julia McGowan
Key Cast
"Lola Sutherland"
Shaun Holmes
Key Cast
"Val"
Janet Borrus
Key Cast
"Mrs. Nash"
Braden McSwigan
Key Cast
"Conrad Van Hoff"
Noel Rabina
Key Cast
"Mr. Andrews"
Meera Puranik
Key Cast
"Meera"
Will Bonnell
Key Cast
"Kissing Couple"
Finn Sanders
Key Cast
"Kissing Couple"
Miguel Valadez-Plascencia
Director of Photography
Chloe Rodgers
Editor
Justin Whittingham
Colorist
Chloe Millett
Production Design
Connor Ewart
Production Design
Kristin Pischel
UPM
Madison Lair
1st AD
Ryan Parnas
Script Supervisor
Syuen Chia
1st AC
Connor Ewart
2nd AC
Leika Wong
Gaffer
Tom Bolles
Key Grips
Alex Salonga
Key Grips
Magdalena Pink-Sanchez
Key Grips
Justin Tang
Key Grips
Blake Hansen
Grips
Max Carmona
Grips
Hannah Medvene
Grips
Meera Puranik
PA
Emmalyne Hvizdak
Intimacy Coordinator
Kelly Peterson
Production Sound
Justin Whittingham
Production Sound
James Litiatco
Production Sound
Kelly Peterson
Post Sound
Madison Lair
Post Sound
Madison Lair
Additional Editing and Graphics
Ryan McCue
Additional Editing and Graphics
Terry Bartels
Special Thanks
Christian Bartels
Special Thanks
Darryl Bartels
Special Thanks
Joseph Spindler
Special Thanks
SFTV
Special Thanks
Vanessa Newell
Special Thanks
Josef Lieck
Special Thanks
Deb McClune
Special Thanks
Elise Dean
Special Thanks
Will Mack
Special Thanks
Melanie An
Special Thanks
Michael Kang
Special Thanks
- Year2023
- Runtime12:22
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
!GBFF2025 Pass: All Five GBFF2025 Collections! (Excludes some Special Screenings)
Vote for Lola (2023)
Lola Sutherland has always been number one in everything, but when her chance of getting into a top college is jeopardized, she campaigns for student council president in order to get ahead. Her best friend Val films a documentary of her progress along the way. Lola drives Val away with her reckless campaign tactics. At the final speech Lola finally realizes her feelings for Val and is faced with the decision between what she believes she should do and what she wants to do. Lola runs from the speech, forfeiting the campaign and reunites with her best friend and true love, Val.
Please tell us your motivation for making your film:
I was really interested in creating a mockumentary due to the style of comedy inherent within the genre. I love comedy where the presence of the camera is part of the joke. Additionally, I felt that a mockumentary coming of age would be allow me to explore a really strong and nuanced point of view. The protagonist had to pretend like she's confident for the camera, but struggles to hide her feelings of uncertainty.
What are the themes and central messages you wanted to convey with your submission?:
"Vote for Lola" is about returning to yourself and reconnecting with your own wants. Furthermore, it is about embracing those passions instead of feeling ashamed of them and repressing them. It's about finding joy in the decision to be yourself despite the hardship of such a decision.
Specs:
Project Type:
Student, Short
Genres:
Romance, Comedy, Romcom, Mockumentary
Runtime:
12 minutes 22 seconds
Completion Date:
May 3, 2023
Production Budget:
2,500 USD
Country of Origin:
United States
Country of Filming:
United States
Language:
English
Shooting Format:
Digital
Film Color:
Color
First-time Filmmaker:
No
Student Project:
Yes - Loyola Marymount University
Vote for Lola (2023) Credits:
Emma Bartels
Director
Emma Bartels
Writer
Kirsten Osei Bonsu
Producer
Emma Bartels
Producer
Julia McGowan
Key Cast
"Lola Sutherland"
Shaun Holmes
Key Cast
"Val"
Janet Borrus
Key Cast
"Mrs. Nash"
Braden McSwigan
Key Cast
"Conrad Van Hoff"
Noel Rabina
Key Cast
"Mr. Andrews"
Meera Puranik
Key Cast
"Meera"
Will Bonnell
Key Cast
"Kissing Couple"
Finn Sanders
Key Cast
"Kissing Couple"
Miguel Valadez-Plascencia
Director of Photography
Chloe Rodgers
Editor
Justin Whittingham
Colorist
Chloe Millett
Production Design
Connor Ewart
Production Design
Kristin Pischel
UPM
Madison Lair
1st AD
Ryan Parnas
Script Supervisor
Syuen Chia
1st AC
Connor Ewart
2nd AC
Leika Wong
Gaffer
Tom Bolles
Key Grips
Alex Salonga
Key Grips
Magdalena Pink-Sanchez
Key Grips
Justin Tang
Key Grips
Blake Hansen
Grips
Max Carmona
Grips
Hannah Medvene
Grips
Meera Puranik
PA
Emmalyne Hvizdak
Intimacy Coordinator
Kelly Peterson
Production Sound
Justin Whittingham
Production Sound
James Litiatco
Production Sound
Kelly Peterson
Post Sound
Madison Lair
Post Sound
Madison Lair
Additional Editing and Graphics
Ryan McCue
Additional Editing and Graphics
Terry Bartels
Special Thanks
Christian Bartels
Special Thanks
Darryl Bartels
Special Thanks
Joseph Spindler
Special Thanks
SFTV
Special Thanks
Vanessa Newell
Special Thanks
Josef Lieck
Special Thanks
Deb McClune
Special Thanks
Elise Dean
Special Thanks
Will Mack
Special Thanks
Melanie An
Special Thanks
Michael Kang
Special Thanks
- Year2023
- Runtime12:22
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
