“I’m fine mum”

Blanca just started to live by herself but her life is a disaster. When she faces her mum’s texts and questions, she invents herself a standard life, in contradiction with her true identity.

  • Jose Manuel Palenzuela
    Director
    Josema Palenzuela
  • Jose Manuel Palenzuela
    Writer
    Josema Palenzuela
  • Pepa Sastre
    Producer
    Pepa Sastre
  • Sara Galiana
    Music
    Sara Galiana
  • Dana Benso
    Art Director
    Dana Benso
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    "Estic bé, mamà"
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Genres:
    Comedia, Drama, Romance
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 25 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 10, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    Spain
  • Country of Filming:
    Spain
  • Language:
    Catalan, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Format HD Animation 2D
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.48:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Jose Manuel Palenzuela

Jose Manuel Palanzuela (Valencia, 1993) is a freelance illustrator from Valencia and is passionate about narration. After graduating from the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia he’s worked on a variety of projects creating storyboards animación and compositing like “El mundo de Pau” (Trivisión, S.L) o “El Amanecer del cine en China” (Summer Films, S.L).
He has also participated in comic projects like "Nuestra voz" (Conselleria de Igualdad y Políticas Inclusivas, 2019), which explains the Spanish law to protect minors to children and teenagers. He’s currently producing and developing the documentary "Sonic Fantasy" about the life and career of Bruce Sweiden, a Grammy awarded music producer and he collaborates with the Magazine LGBTQI+ “Edicions Anònimes”.

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Director Statement

Like many, I was born in a family where heterosexuality was the norm and homophobia was a rule. I always say that I got out of the closet at 14 years old. Actually, I’ve been kicked out of it. But since then, I’ve never had to hide my sexuality anymore.

The first time I talked to my parents about this animated project, I realized that I never really came out with them. Because this step needs to be a voluntary one.

“Coming out” is one of the hardest moments in someone’s life, especially in traditional families. This animated short film shows how difficult it can be for the LGBTIQ+ collective to open up about our sexuality: we prevent ourselves from coming out, anticipating that this information could potentially harm us. So we self-censor. On the other hand, “I’m fine mum” shows how this fear of people 's opinions generates frustration.

The short points at Lesbian invisibility, stressed by a society built to push women away from the public space. When they’re included in fiction stories, it’s often less to show a fantasy for the cis-men public.

This is why this project is important. To support and empower the collective. To show LGBTIQ+ people that they are not alone.

I wrote and directed “I’m fine mum” because our creative decisions impact culture and culture helps build open and inclusive minds… If we can spare the LGBTIQ+ collective from years of suffering and misjudgement, that would have been worth it.