Red Velvet is a highly stylized dramatic comedy that highlights the magic of self acceptance. It follows an Afro Latina woman’s pursuit of societal acceptance when she does not feel fully embraced within the Black and Latino communities.

Director’s Statement

It is a thematic based film that uses ice cream and color as metaphors for race and self identity. The characters talk about the validity and desirability of various flavors, similar to how women of color can be harshly criticized or inappropriately fetishized. By the end, Aviva realizes that her self worth must be self sustained and that she is not ‘two halves,’ but instead a ‘blended’ whole. As an Afro Latina I grew up feeling like I didn’t completely fit into the Black or Latino community and that in order to fit in, I’d have to pick a side to identify as. But that simply is not possible since both ‘sides’ are an inherent part of who I am. I have an immense pride in that and in understanding who I am and how I identify myself. I want to reflect that in this short.