Private Project

Wannabe

The opening of the film takes us on a nostalgic journey through the 90s, with iconic pop culture references and fashion that transport us back in time. We are introduced to Emilia and Mateo, two 13-year-old kids who have been inseparable since childhood, but feel like outsiders in their own world. They are constantly bullied and ridiculed by their peers, making their friendship even more precious to them.
Despite the challenges they face, Emilia and Mateo find solace in each other's company and in the music of the Spice Girls, who embody the message of "girl power" that Emilia finds particularly inspiring.
When Emilia learns of the Spice Girls concert in Miami and the chance to win tickets through a video dance contest, she knows that this is their opportunity to meet their idols.
As Emilia and Mateo rehearse their dance routine, they confront their own insecurities and bullies, but their friendship and deter- mination keep them going. Their journey to Miami is fraught with obstacles, but they never give up on their dream of meeting the Spice Girls.
Finally, the day of the contest winners announcement arrives, and Emilia and Mateo anxiously await the results. The film celebrates the power of friendship, resilience, and chasing your dreams, and captures the essence of a generation that was defined by the Spice Girls music and message.

  • Kat Cattani
    Director
  • Kat Cattani
    Writer
  • Raul Martin
    Writer
  • Juliet Berman
    Producer
    Set it Up, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter is Dead (2024), Sand Castle
  • Kat Cattani
    Producer
  • Martina Pacheco
    Key Cast
    "Emilia"
  • Gabriel Saltos
    Key Cast
    "Mateo"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 8, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    Ecuador
  • Country of Filming:
    Ecuador
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    ArriCam - Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kat Cattani

Kat Cattani is a queer filmmaker born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. She immigrated to America at the age of 18 and attended NYU for a year before transferring to Full Sail University where she completed a B.A. in Film.

The past six years, Cattani has worked as an Assistant Editor. Film credits include James L Brooks’ “Icebox,” “Charm City Kings” written by Barry Jenkins and directed by Angel Manuel Soto, the Joan Jett documentary “Bad Reputation” and “National Anthem” written/directed by Luke Gilford, which premiered at SXSW in 2023. Television credits include “Only Murders in the Building”, “Dead to Me”, “Five Days at Memorial”, “Acapulco”, “This Fool” and Alma Ha’rel “Lady in the Lake” for Apple, starring Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram.

Cattani wrote and directed the short film Detox in 2019, which was awarded “Best Female Film Director” by Independent Shorts Awards, as well as being nominated by IndieX Film Festival for “Best Female Director” and “Best Experimental Short” and nominated by Indie Short Fest for “Best Female Director” and “Best LGBTQ Short.”

She lives in Hollywood with her girlfriend Juliet and their dog, Milo.

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Director Statement

My vision for "Wannabe" is to transport the audience back in time to the 90s, immersing them in the vibrant and dynamic pop culture and fashion of the era. I want to capture the essence of a generation that was defined by the Spice Girls and the message of girl power they embodied. My goal is to create a sense of nostalgia and inspiration that will resonate with viewers.

The story follows two 13 year old friends who are navigating the challenges of growing up and finding their place in the world. Tonally the film is upbeat, optimistic, bittersweet and a fun coming of age story.

"Wannabe" is a film that will resonate with audiences of all ages, reminding them that anything is possible if you have the courage to chase your dreams.

All the stories we tell are a mirror of our experiences, this is how we connect with everyone else in the world.