Short queer comedy made in New Jersey is a winner

“We’re proud it all started right here in New Jersey,” said the filmmakers of the short queer comedy Family Affair. The film was primarily filmed at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft and premiered last month at the Academy Award-qualifying Provincetown International Film Festival. Family Affair has since won Best Comedy and Best Director at the Jersey Shore Film Festival. It went on to win many awards at other festivals across the country.

Family Affair follows non-binary high school senior Tanner (Bear D’Angelo) who’s apparently hiding something (or someone) from his mother (Donna Vivino). But what (or who?) is it, and why is Tanner being so mysterious?

Even considering the lighthearted and funny film’s short viewing time of 15:28 minutes, each character is unique and individually developed, and the short film’s professionalism pervades its production values, segues, sets, and the actors’ performances and comedic timing.

Before the surprise ending, the 15-minute running time is just enough to build the mystery by showing texts without context, puzzling warnings from friends, and cryptic conversations, all while the viewer experiences a day in the life of Tanner. That day is full of high school high jinks, character idiosyncrasies, and interpersonal relations with authentic characters who entertain the viewer while carrying the story along to its big reveal.

To wrap up the coming-of-age comedic drama’s exploration of family, identity, and the secrets we keep, the surprise ending reveals (or is it conceals?) it all.

Ultimately, Tanner’s the one in charge as indicated with comments made during the film: “I’m not the person everyone wants me to be,” and “I’m done living my life for other people.”

Written by Ernest Anemone, directed by Julio Dowansingh, and produced by Kyle Burt, Family Affair was entirely crowdfunded, and most of the cast and crew were queer, women, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). Family Affair is even being developed into a series for which the producers are currently looking for partners.

Family Affair is available to stream for free on YouTube and Vimeo. For an entertaining 15 minutes of professionally produced entertaining acting that leads to a rewarding reveal, watch the film here: youtube.com/watch?v=IWpTw_giQHA