LOUDER THAN WORDSLOUDER THAN WORDS
FAMILY AFFAIRTanner is a high school senior who seems to have everything going for him. He’s smart, athletic, and popular -- but there’s something (or rather someone) he has to hide from his mother.
The article on MovieMaker covers the making of Family Affair, a short film written by Ernest Anemone and produced by Anemone Films. It explores the emotional depth and personal connections that inspired the film, which is about the complex dynamics within a family grappling with generational trauma and the impact of LGBTQ+ identity on familial relationships.
Anemone shares insights into the creative process behind the film, touching on how the story draws from his own life experiences, particularly his relationship with his family. The article emphasizes how Family Affair navigates themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and the struggle for personal autonomy. Anemone discusses the collaborative nature of filmmaking, crediting his cast and crew for helping bring the story to life. The film is presented as a heartfelt exploration of family bonds, highlighting the universal challenges of reconciling personal identity with familial expectations.
Ultimately, Family Affair aims to spark conversations about the complexities of family relationships, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, while offering a poignant and intimate portrayal of love, conflict, and growth.
Dowansingh’s debut short film, Louder Than Words, follows a young musician named Ansel (Luke Farley), and his unexpected encounter with Niall (Marty Lauter also known as Marcia Marcia Marcia from Season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race), an endearing, deaf dancer. When a scheduling mix-up forces the two artists to share a studio space, Ansel and Niall find themselves awkwardly beside each other, performing song and dance respectively. As the rehearsals carry on, each finds himself developing a closeted interest and admiration for the other.
While Niall can read lips, an obvious language barrier still stands between him and Ansel. In order to communicate, Ansel and Niall must each step out of their comfort zone, because even though they share similar passions and quickly inspire each other, the risk of miscommunication—both in language and in emotion—remains, rendering their hidden affection challenging to express.
AWARDS & FEATURED PRESS
Louder Than Words has achieved significant recognition and success since its release. The short film has amassed nearly 3 million views on YouTube and has been featured at several prestigious international and domestic film festivals. Some highlights include:
Döv Film Festival Skåne 2025 (Sweden), a notable deaf film festival offering films in sign language.
Mix Copenhagen Film Festival (Denmark, 2024).
Cheroscope Film Festival and Film Arte Festival (Spain), where it won Best Short.
Boston LGBT Film Festival (Wicked Queer Film Festival, 2018), the oldest-running LGBTQ film festival.
ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival (2018), which supports emerging Chinese filmmakers and brings international queer cinema to Shanghai. This was particularly significant as PRIDE was once illegal in the city.
Shibuya Diversity Program at Japan’s Academy Awards®-accredited Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia.
Independent Film Festival Boston (2018), where it was an official selection and later featured in the Massachusetts Production Coalition’s annual shorts screening.
Jelly Film Festival (Los Angeles, 2019), where it was named a semi-finalist.
The film was also picked up by the LGBTQIA+ streaming service Dekkoo, where director Julio participated in a Q&A about the project. Additionally, Film Local interviewed cinematographer Art Parnitudom about his compelling visual approach to the short.
In addition, Louder Than Words has been praised for its portrayal of a deaf dancer, beautifully blending themes of self-expression and identity. As noted by Queerty, the short stars a familiar face in the LGBTQ+ community, adding another layer of depth and emotional connection to the narrative. The film's stunning visuals and powerful storytelling have earned it attention across diverse platforms and continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
At Gap's Pride 2023 event, I discussed the success and impact of Louder Than Words, as well as my second short film, Family Affair. The film was written by Ernest Anemone and produced by Anemone Films
