Navigating Space and Identity
One of the hardest parts of this process has been the spaces I’ve had to navigate. Being the only POC in so many of them makes it difficult to feel fully safe, to speak freely, or to assert myself without constantly overthinking how I’ll be perceived. Every decision feels heavier, every mistake more visible, and every moment of uncertainty amplified. It’s not just about making the work, it’s about surviving the room while doing it.
It’s exhausting, but it’s also part of why I’m doing this work. This film isn’t just a creative project. It’s a reflection of my experiences, my perspective, and the resilience it takes to exist and create in spaces that weren’t necessarily made for me. It carries the weight of being seen and unseen at the same time, of wanting to take up space without feeling like I have to justify my presence.
I am here, all the way across the continent, trying my hardest. I’m still showing up, still creating, still pushing through the discomfort. That has to count for something. That has to matter.
