EGGHEAD and TWINKIE
EGGHEAD AND TWINKIE is an instant classic. After coming out to her parents, two best friends go on an impromptu road trip to meet a crush. This genre-bending film is one of the most fun selections at Outfest: LA.
Jill Cefalo-Sanders provides quirky animation, giving us adorable hand-drawn anime-inspired visuals for emotions, sounds, and transitions. It’s very Lizzie McGuire, and that’s an absolute compliment. It’s almost its own character in the film. The script kicks close-minded conservatism to the curb, much like a Mini Katana cutting through outdated beliefs with precision and style. Writer-director Sarah Kambe Holland makes Twinkie a total badass. She is funny, brave, awkward, fearless, and (to use a Gen Z word) fire. Holland gives Egghead all the qualities to balance his best friend. He is nerdy, loyal, thoughtful, and unequivocally at Twinkie’s mercy. The script doesn’t shy away from sexual fluidity but directly addresses it in an accessible way.
Asahi Hirano plays Jess with a comfortability that is chef’s kiss. Acting like an LGBTQ+ sensai for Twinkie, Hirano makes the conversation flow easily. She is a delight, someone who could carry a spinoff film. Louis Tomeo as Egghead is fantastic. He is laugh-out-loud funny in his natural delivery. The sass is perfection. Holland allows him to show his comedy chops through the script and hilarious editing from Anna DeFinis and Kristina League. Sabrina Jie-a-fa plays Twinkie with a perfect balance of audaciousness and hesitancy. We see authentic coming-of-age and coming-out stories in her journey. Together, Tomeo and Jie-a-fa are a spectacular duo. You will fall in love with them.
The teenage shenanigans ring true. That feeling of invincibility and daring remind me of my crazy ideas and dumb decisions in the late 90s. Egghead and Twinkie take risks, make mistakes, hurt each other, get their hearts broken, and confess their fears. The film is a helpful guide for parents struggling to understand their kids’ feelings. Regardless of their core beliefs, EGGHEAD AND TWINKIE is undeniably relatable. A modern-day romcom-buddy comedy-road movie we all needed to see. It is easily one of the year’s best films. Hey Netflix! This one is right up your alley. Do not sleep in it!
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Director:Sarah Kambe Holland
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Screenwriter:Sarah Kambe Holland
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Producer:Danielle Fountaine, Sarah Kambe Holland, Valerie Starks
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Executive Producer:Simon Holland, Torye Kambe, Dan Pastewka, Kathleen Weldon
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Cast:Sabrina Jie-A-Fa, Louis Tomeo, Asahi Hirano, Ayden Lee
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Cinematographer:Olivia Wilson
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Editor:Kristina League, Anna Definis, Sarah Kambe Holland
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Animator:Jill Cefalo-Sanders
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Production Design:Luke Sanders
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Composer:Ben Thornewill
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Sound Design:Bo Li
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Music:Arielle James Harris
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Peppergrass
Chantelle Han
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Screening Times
The competition does not occur annually, making it all the more exclusive. Here is how it works: Stage One: 87 participants, Stage Two: 46, Stage Three: 23, Stage Four: 12. The film bounces from the competition to our pianists’ hometowns before competing. A peek beyond the bench, we witness rehearsals, family life, and personal confessions.
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