Experiencing Interruptions?

how I lost my virginity

Using her best friend's real-life experience of losing her virginity, first-time director Claire Chubbuck explores systematic sexual misperceptions in an award-winning short film - ultimately concluding there is work to do on all sides of the gender perigon.

Through this honest story, the film explores love, lust, and consent... and why no one seems to have ever met a rapist before.

  • Claire Chubbuck
    Director
  • Sofia D'Marco
    Writer
  • Bayan Joonam
    Producer
    Q Anon: The Search for Q (Vice)
  • Sofia D'Marco
    Key Cast
    "Sara"
  • Llyod Lowe Jr
    Key Cast
    "Loco"
  • Gian Franco Rodriguez
    Key Cast
    "Fernando"
    Halston (Netflix)
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 31, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    23,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Top Shorts Awards

    October 29, 2020
    Recognition of Excellence (Best Actress) presented to
  • Top Shorts Awards

    October 6, 2020
    Recognition of Excellence (Best First Time Director) presented to Claire Chubbuck for 'this is how i lost my virginity'
  • Hollywood Arts and Movie Awards

    January 21, 2021
    Best Short Film Semi-Finalist
  • Canadian Cinematography Awards (CaCA)

    Canada
    Winner of the Golden Eagle Award for "Best First Time Director"
  • New York Cinematography Awards (NYCA)
    New York
    United States
    Golden Eagle (Best First Time Director) presented to Claire Chubbuck for 'this is how i lost my virginity'
  • Best Shorts Competition

    United States
    September 15, 2020
    Award of Excellence (Leading Actress) presented to Sofia D'Marco as Sara
  • Best Shorts Competition

    Winner of Award of Excellence, Direction
  • Vegas Movie Awards

    Award of Excellence (Best Actress) presented to Sofia D'Marco
  • Vegas Movie Awards
    Las Vegas
    United States
    Award of Prestige (Best Narrative Short) presented to 'this is how i lost my virginity'
  • Chain Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    Virtual Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Beverly Hills Film Festival
    Beverly Hills, California
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Marina del Rey Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    July 19, 2021
    Theatrical Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Global Shorts Awards

    August 14, 2021
    Honorable Mention, "Best Short Film"
  • Gold Movie Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    August 18, 2021
    Best Short Film Nominee
  • Montreal Independent Film Festival
    Montreal
    Canada
    November 10, 2020
    Semi-Finalist, Best Narrative Short
  • Santa Monica International Film Festival
    Santa Monica, CA
    United States
    December 31, 2020
    Honorable Mention
  • Chain Film Festival
    New York, NY
    United States
    August 6, 2020
    Official Selection
  • SF Indie Fest
    San Francisco, CA
    United States
    October 9, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift
    Toronto
    Canada
    November 1, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Paris International Short Festival
    Paris
    France
    February 14, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Dubai Independent Film Festival
    Dubai
    United Arab Emirates
    February 27, 2021
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Claire Chubbuck

It all started when my best friend let me tell the story of her real life trauma - and we made ‘’this is how i lost my virginity’’ as a living testament that one does not have to be destroyed by tragedy. We can’t change the past, but we can view it differently - by looking at it through a literal lens...

We are inclusively collaborating on a new way to find hope, healing, and strength for a new generation. We are taking the victim out of sexual crime. We need to spread the word through this film, that being a victim can be a choice. A choice you don’t have to make.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Art is a universal language, and I am using it to encourage others living in silent fear to find their power in a society that teaches them to do otherwise. From the cinematography to the sound design to the storytelling; I tried to stretch the use of sound and image to help you understand the experience - the way Sofia experienced it.

Speaking up is courage.
Speaking up is strength.
You can speak through art.

This movie is a signal to those who are still struggling. Take your brokenness and insecurities and mold something beautiful with it.