queer filmmaker Archives - Reel News Daily

PORELESS

Filmmaker Harris Doran delivers Tribeca 2025 audiences a laugh-out-loud short about embracing authenticity and finding your place in this messy but beautiful world. In PORELESS, a fabulous, queer beauty entrepreneur is selected as a finalist in a Shark Tank-style competition to be part of an elite global brand. A last-minute allergic reaction threatens to end his career before it takes flight, but fate steps in, shenanigans ensue, and this tongue-in-cheek short speaks volumes.

Fawzia Mirza and Doran write the script from a lived-in perspective filled with humor and truth. In a landscape of social media influencer excess, our protagonist, Akram, narrowly escapes the trap of a fake persona with the help of his friends and family. Akbar Hamid is hilarious. Yes, yes, yes. The ease with which he owns the frame makes it feel longer than the 13-minute runtime in all the best ways.

PORELESS is cleverly titled. It is a metaphorical masterpiece about visibility and culture. Doran is no stranger to funny and smart shorts. F^¢K ‘€M R!GHT B@¢K and The Ivanka Diaries absolutely kill. It is no wonder PORELESS is equally joy-filled and sharp. I would watch these siblings in long-form and/or series comedy in a heartbeat. I’m buying whatever they are selling.

Short | United States | 13 MINUTES | English

STARRING: Akbar Hamid, Diane Guerrero (Orange Is The New Black, Jane The Virgin), Parvesh Cheena (Outscored)Allyce Beasley (hit series Moonlighting), Sophie Von Haselberg (Give Me Pity, Pose), Sureni Weerasekera (comedian), Gia Crovatin (House of Darkness) Lucy Owen (Miss Sloane), Joey Zauzig (TV personality, influencer and actor) Jillian Gottlieb (beauty influencer and actress), Joel Perez (Odd Mom Out, Tick Tick Boom)

Fawzia Mirza – Producer & Co-Writer, Harris Doran Director & Co-Writer, Akbar Hamid – Producer, Rabia Sultana – Producer

The comedic short had its NY Premiere at the upcoming 2025 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL on Sat June 07 – 8:00 PM at the Shorts Theater at Spring Studios in NYC

Co-written by Fawzia Mirza and Harris Doran, and starring Hamid as a queer Muslim beauty founder navigating a high-stakes pitch competition after an untimely allergic reaction, the film is both hilarious and healing. It’s a story rooted in lived experience – and a powerful reclamation of joy, identity, and visibility.

A passionate advocate for queer, Muslim, and intersectional representation in media, Akbar also launched Finding SafeTea Productions – a creative studio and production company devoted to storytelling at the intersection of identity, transformation, and culture.

Remaining Screenings of Poreless:

Wed June 11 – 9:00 PM

Shorts Theater at Spring Studios

Sat June 14 – 2:15 PM

AMC 19th St. East 6

Sun June 15 – 8:45 PM

AMC 19th St. East 6

For all things Tribeca, click here!

BACKSPOT

Competitive cheer is no joke. The athleticism and dedication involved are higher than most people understand. In my day, alongside the big bows and toothy smiles were broken arms, knocked-out teeth, and concussions. They go hand in hand. D. W. Waterson‘s SXSW 2024 film BACKSPOT dives head first into the world of tumbling, trophies, and tenacity through a mental health lens.

Riley works her ass off for a spot on a professional cheer squad. In her efforts to be the best, she pushes personal relationships and her sanity to their limits.

The script beautifully balances the hyper-competitiveness with moments of teenage joy but leans heavily into the reality of the sport. The intense rehearsals, the backbiting, and the called-out misogyny all present equally. BACKSPOT unapologetically exposes the importance of mental health in sports. It’s a thin line between winning and breaking, passion and obsession.

Evan Rachel Wood plays coach to the more elite team. Playing Eileen McNamara, she is no-nonsense, hardass. You are 100% buying what she’s selling. Devery Jacobs gives audiences a whip-smart, compassionate, and nuanced performance as Riley. She’s a self-aware young woman battling the complexities of her inherited anxiety and perfectionism. Riley goes to the extremes, whether in practice or escapism. Jacobs captures the internal tug-of-war of emotions.

Waterson’s editing is fantastic. It undeniably enhances the film. BACKSPOT is a great companion watch for the Isabelle Fuhrman headliner, THE NOVICE, and while that film focuses on college rowing, the ruthless principals are the same. Waterson’s directorial debut delivers a strong new voice and clear vision in storytelling.

D.W. Waterson (Filmmaker)
D.W. Waterson (they/them) is a Toronto-based, award-winning, non-binary/queer filmmaker and world-touring electronic music artist. D.W. is the creative force behind the 6 million-viewed, 40+ time award-winning digital series THAT’S MY DJ (Seasons 1-3). They have been DJing and throwing parties in the Toronto underground for ten years, and have opened for artists such as Peaches and Idris Elba.

Waterson’s work has garnered a Canadian Screen Award Nomination, five Best Director awards as well as Noteable’s 2017 Director of the Year award. Named a Resident at the 2022 TIFF Filmmaker Lab, D.W.’s debut feature film BACKSPOT had its world premiere at TIFF 2023. Alongside directing and producing, D.W. also created original electronic tracks to accompany the film.

Kick-Ass, Hard-Hitting, Queer Cheerleading Drama In Theaters Nationwide May 2024

Executive Produced by Elliot Page
Starring Devery Jacobs and Evan Rachel Wood

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‘PORELESS’ (Tribeca 2025 short) Representation honey!