Theatre Arts Alumna’s Award-Winning Short Film Premieres at Film Festivals

This past November, Heather María Ács ’02, a graduate of MMC’s Theatre Arts program, premiered her newest short film, Flourish, at the Big Apple Film Festival, HollyShorts Film Festival, and Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival. The film currently playing at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Programmer’s Notebook through December 10, with a live Q&A with Heather on December 9 at 7:30 p.m. To view the film virtually at BAM Cinema or to register for the Q&A, RSVP to the premiere.

Winner of Best LGBTQ Short Film at the Big Apple Film Festival, Flourish is the second film in a series of shorts produced by María Ács’s company, FemmePower Productions. The first project, Flush, also premiered at LGBTQ film festivals such as Outfest, Los Angeles, Newfest, and Oaxaca International Film Fest.

Flourish follows a seasoned drag queen who struggles to disentangle themselves from an unhealthy relationship and a young queer couple exploring nonmonogamy. The film features a cast of queer actors with experience in television shows such as Broad City, Empire, and Ramy. Morgan Sullivan ’17, another MMC Theatre Arts graduate, also stars in the film. A trailer for Flourish is available to view on Vimeo.

Heather María Ács is a performer, writer, and filmmaker whose filmography explores queer/radical subcultures and celebrates trans and non-binary cast and crew members. FemmePower Productions is committed to intersectional equity on screen and behind the scenes, seeking to expand LGBTQ representation in media and culture.

Congratulations Heather on this awesome accomplishment!

Published: December 08, 2020