Private Project

A Meal With Dad

Haunted by a past that never was, Justine gets a lesson in cooking and family ties from an unexpected source.

Based on the brain's ability to incorporate new information each time it calls up a memory, this film explores the healing possibilities --for an individual and a family--of revisiting and reinterpreting past experiences.

  • Brittany Alsot
    Director
  • Brittany Alsot
    Writer
  • Maximillian Davis
    Key Cast
    R/Evolve, Heart Breaks Open
  • Sheila Houlahan
    Key Cast
  • Emily Jo Testa
    Key Cast
  • Brody Willis
    Director of Photography
  • Arlo Ballard
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, LGBT
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 1 second
  • Completion Date:
    August 11, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Grand Rapids Feminist Film Festival
    Grand Rapids
    United States
    October 23, 2016
    World Premiere
  • Chi-Town Multicultural Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    November 4, 2016
    Chicago Premiere
    Honorable Mention
  • Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival
    Indianapolis
    United States
    November 11, 2016
  • QCinema Fort Worth
    Fort Worth
    United States
    November 10, 2016
  • Shelburne Falls Fabulous Fringe Fest
    Shelburne Falls
    United States
    February 11, 2017
  • Chicago Feminist Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    March 1, 2017
  • Kashish Mumbai Internation Queer Film Festival
    Mumbai
    India
    May 24, 2017
    International/India Premiere
  • North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
    Durham
    United States
    August 10, 2017
  • Pride Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    October 10, 2017
  • WOTN Anniversary Showcase
    Chicago
    United States
    March 25, 2018
Director Biography - Brittany Alsot

Brittany is a queer, feminist, anti-racist filmmaker focused on creating inclusive, empathetic working environments for the cast and crew. She believes in the healing power of storytelling and art that represents the outsider experience. She started her career in Seattle and now lives and works in her native Chicago.

Filmography: "Tides" (2016) is a five-minute silent film exploring love, anxiety, and lust through dance. It was the official selection of Filmslang (Lexington), TWIST Queer Film Festival (Seattle), and Pride Films and Plays' Queer Bits III (Chicago).

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

At the heart of this film is a woman's struggle to heal from her past and form new connections with important people in her life. We wanted to tell a story that, while dealing in part with identity issues, recognizes queer as only one part of a person's identity and experience.

This film was conceived and produced with the guiding principle of queer and people of color representation both behind and in front of the camera. We put together a cast and crew who was largely queer-identifying, POC, and aligned with our feminist values. The culture on set was intentionally designed to create a safe, respectful space where everyone can bring their authentic selves, collaborate fully, and do their best work.