Coming Out Polyamorous for Thanksgiving

When polyamorous spouses Alex and Don introduce Don's partner Aly to his Southern parents on Thanksgiving, they must weigh biological family against their chosen one.

Based on Alex Alberto’s real life story as told in their memoir "Entwined," this unconventional holiday drama is brimming with humor, heartache, and uncompromising self-love.

  • Maren Lavelle
    Director
    CLIFTON PARK (2025); WENDY (2021); KEEPER (2020); MAYA (2020).
  • Alex Alberto
    Writer
    Author--ENTWINED: ESSAYS ON POLYAMORY AND CREATING HOME (Quilted Press, 2024). // Anthology contributor: A HOME FOR TOMORROW (Beacon Press, 2026); LOVING ARRANGEMENTS: 30 STORIES QUESTIONING THE COUPLE (Rutgers University Press, 2026). // Essayist--HUFFPOST, BUSINESS INSIDER, WRITE OR DIE MAGAZINE, and more.
  • Ellen Adair
    Writer
    Writer, feature film--DAMNED IF YOU DO, starring Kate Siegel (currently in post-production).
  • Maren Lavelle
    Producer
    THE CONSPIRACISTS (in post-production); CLIFTON PARK (2025); WENDY (2021); KEEPER (2020); MAYA (2020).
  • Alex Alberto
    Producer
  • Brooke M. Haney
    Producer
    Film (Intimacy Coordinator)--PONYBOI (2024); BIRDER (2023) // TV--Elsbeth; Law & Order SVU.
  • Ellen Adair
    Key Cast
    "Alex"
    Film--WOMB (2025); HERD (2023); CRYPTID (2022); TRICK (2019). // TV (recurring roles)--The Sinner; Homeland; Bull; Billions; The Slap; Veep. // TV (guest star roles)--Law and Order; The Good Fight; FBI; Chicago Med; Chicago Fire; Found; NCIS: New Orleans; Archive 81; Brotherhood.
  • Mitzi Akaha
    Key Cast
    "Aly"
    Film--CHAPERONE (2024); HERD (2023). // TV--Fallout; Modern Love; Archive 81.
  • Scott Thomas
    Key Cast
    "Don"
    Film--2ND C (2025); LOVE DOGS (2024); THE CREATOR (2023); SKIN (2018). // TV--I Know This Much is True; Younger; Blue Bloods.
  • Monica Wyche
    Key Cast
    "Cheryl"
    Film--HOLY NIGHT (2023); UNEARTH (2020); PRETTY IS (2017); GET BETTER (2012). // TV (recurring roles)--Five Days at Memorial; The Path; For Life. // TV (guest star roles)--The Sinner; FBI: Most Wanted; Saint X; Blindspot; Law and Order: SVU; The Looming Tower; Defenders.
  • Brian O'Neill
    Key Cast
    "Jim"
    Film--THE BLACKLIGHT (2021); FRANK THE BASTARD (2013); THE BOURNE LEGACY (2012); BURN AFTER READING (2008); CHAPTER 27 (2007); BROOKLYN RULES (2007); LAWS OF ATTRACTION (2004); THE LOST WORDS (1994). // TV--Search Party; The Blacklist; FBI: Most Wanted; Mrs. America; Homeland; The Code; Law and Order; Law and Order: Special Victims Unit; Law & Order: Criminal Intent; The Sopranos; The Corner; The Jury; Damages; Person of Interest; Unforgettable; The Following; Elementary; 666 Park Avenue; Believe; Blue Bloods; Blindspot; Gotham.
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 20, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Maren Lavelle

Maren Lavelle is an NYC-based film director, producer, and writer. In 2022, Maren was selected for the SHOOT 2022 20th Annual New Directors Showcase, and had her work screened at the DGA Theatre in NYC. She has directed and produced the award-winning queer films WENDY (Best Short / New York City Indie Theatre Film Festival) and MAYA (Best Writer of a Short Film / Chain Film Festival), as well as KEEPER (Best Drama Film / Blackbird Film Festival). She is currently in post-production directing the psychological horror film, CLIFTON PARK about theater and cults. Maren co-founded the production company One-Eyed Rabbit.

marenlavelle.com

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

STATEMENT FROM DIRECTOR MAREN LAVELLE (SHE/HER)
How many bringing-the-significant-other-home-for-the-holidays movies have you seen? There are hundreds streaming on every platform, but only a handful depict queer love, and none feature polyamorous relationships. That gap in representation is why I’m ecstatic to adapt a part of Alex Alberto’s groundbreaking memoir ENTWINED (an Indie Book Award finalist in the LGBTQ+ category) to the screen. "Coming Out Polyamorous for Thanksgiving" is for anyone who knows the value of choosing their own family.

STATEMENT FROM WRITER/PRODUCER ALEX ALBERTO (THEY/THEM)
Adapted from my memoir, this deeply personal story explores my lived experience as a queer, nonbinary, polyamorous person.

I'm particularly proud of the way the film represents the relationship between Alex and Aly, both of whom are in a romantic relationship with Don. The love, trust, and intimacy between metamours--two people who share a partner--are almost never portrayed within the limited polyamory stories on screen.

Ultimately, this film is a celebration of love, community, and the courage it takes to live openly in a world often resistant to change.

A NOTE ABOUT COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT
This film was made possible with wide-spread support from queer and polyamorous communities who desperately wanted to see a story like this on screen; in addition to leading a fruitful crowdfunding campaign, we received grants from The Polyamory Foundation and the New York State Council of the Arts, as well as endorsement from a large number of respected organizations and educators/influencers in the polyamory space.