Filmmaker Statement

“BUMPED is exactly the kind of story I want to tell for my first narrative short film. As a Black woman who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community, the topics of discussion, especially around women who are attracted to both men and women, is one that feels all too familiar in my own life. How does the way we present inform the perceptions placed upon us? Even within our own community? BUMPED unpacks this. Furthermore, this story highlights the kind of long-term, complicated love and relationships I see reflected in my own community, the kind of relationships that go beyond just a hook-up which is what is so often shown on screen. This story is relatable, this scenario feels impossible, and yet for many queer couples, this could very well happen to them, inviting our audience to ask themselves 'what would I do if this happened to me?' Aside this, In both the US & the UK, Black men account for less than 2% of sperm donation. These statistics paint a picture which tells us that for Black queer couples, conception can be an incredibly difficult and heart-wrenching process. Even in the face of infidelity, the conversation isn’t as simple as perhaps it might be for heterosexual non-white couples who have better chances of conceiving. This is an issue we haven’t previously seen explored on screen, and one that many Black queer folk are trying to navigate as we speak.”