Julianna Notten
Julianna Notten (She/They) is a Toronto-based, award-winning, queer filmmaker and co-founder of Switch Hitter Films. Her work includes the shorts "Earth To Avery" (16), "Erin's Guide To Kissing Girls" (18) and "Fresh Blood" (21). Their debut feature "Erin's Guide To Kissing Girls" was chosen as one of 30 projects across Canada for Telefilm's Talent to Watch program. She is also currently working on her first scripted series "Well That's Just Super".
FILMMAKER Q&A
Where did the inspiration come from for “Erin's Guide to Kissing Girls”? What inspired you to tell that story in particular?
I have a big focus on coming of age, particularly queer coming-of-age stories. I feel like there's been a lack of those kinds of stories in the media, especially positive ones. A lot of them felt like they were about coming out more rooted in tragedy, which are still very important stories to tell but began to feel like they were the only ones. I was reading through my grade 8 diary at the time, and I was remembering all of these huge feelings that I was having at 13-14 years old, of having to pick a high school, and having crushes for the first time.
Still from “Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls”Who are some of your favorite filmmakers and what work have you been watching recently that resonated with you or that you would recommend?
The two that come to mind right away are Greta Gerwig and Jordan Peele. Who are both working in very different genres. I love their attention to detail, and the way they're using visual storytelling is just really unique and cool. They just seem like they're like having fun while telling their stories, which, you know, is also an important part of the process that I think a lot of people can forget sometimes.
Still from “Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls”What has been the best piece of advice you’ve received so far in your filmmaking journey?
I had a professor when I was in film school who talked to me about the importance of the journey and not so much the destination. It's just as important who you choose to collaborate with in the creation process as it is to a polished end product. She was really encouraging me at the time to surround myself with people who would let me make mistakes and who would let me discover my voice. I’ve kept that advice with me going forward. I’m very selective in who I choose to work. It's not necessarily who’s the best person on paper.
Still from “Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls”Favorite Film?
I have not been able to stop thinking about Charlotte Wells’s Aftersun. It’s just this beautiful film. Reflecting. It just really captures that feeling of childhood memory and having that feeling lost. My wife and I finished watching the film, and I was like I can't get on the subway right now; I need to walk home and talk about this with you. I hope that I create one like that
Still from “Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls”What is next for you?
Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls” is rolling out to the public on February 3, which is really really exciting! I’ve also got two other projects in development. The first is a feature film called, And I Feel Fine, which is a Y2K story that follows these 2 estranged sisters who are coming back together on the New Year's Eve of Y2K and how that sorta forces them together. The other one is a television series that follows four queer teens who develop superpowers after their biology project goes wrong. That one is called Well That's Just Super. I'm really excited about both of them. I'm having a really fun time developing them. I hope they'll be coming to you on a screen soon.
“Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls” will be released on streaming platforms on February 3rd, 2023!
Synopsis: As middle school is ending, Erin, the only out person in her grade, and Liz, fellow comic nerd and track star, find their friendship tested when Liz is accepted to private high school and Erin falls hard for new girl and ex child-star, Sydni. Erin believes the only way to save herself from certain doom next year is to ask Sydni to the big dance and get in with the popular kids, but the plan goes awry when she starts to lose Liz along the way. Erin’s Guide To Kissing Girls is a story of friendship, first loves, and deciding what’s important to you when everything is changing, all told through a queer lens.