Lola

The film opens on Carter, a college-aged boy, who discovers an old box in his basement containing a variety of drag memorabilia that he learns belong to his late uncle, Kenny, who died before he was born. His mother, Carol, finds him with the box and takes it from him, not offering any clue as to who Kenny really was. Driven by curiosity, Carter goes on to find Marco, Kenny's former drag partner, and begins to uncover the world of drag and the AIDS epidemic. As their bond grows, Carter confronts his own strained relationship with Carol and wrestles with his own identity. Ultimately he decides to step into the spotlight himself, as a way to honor Kenny's legacy and claim his own.

I would not be the person I am today without the guidance and support of my queer elders. Their stories, resilience, and joy showed me that queerness is not just survival, but an inheritance of creativity and courage. With Lola, I want to honor that lineage.

Beneath this story is the silence of the AIDS epidemic, an entire generation lost, their art and joy often hidden away in closets, boxes, and whispered memories. Lola asks what it means to uncover that history, and how connecting across generations can transform grief into belonging.