top of page
MSPIFF43_Laurels_OfficialSelection_BLK_e
imageedit_1_8530529966_edited.png
OFFICIALSELECTION-FliptheScriptFest-2023_WHITE.png
laurels_newyork_semifinalist-62 WHITE.png
WHITE FONT OFFICIALSELECTION-NewYorkShortFilmFestival-2023 (1).png
AAIFF46_Laurels_edited.png
Sugar Loaf Black Honorable Mention.png
Official Selection Laurel MSIFF-23.png

THE ALABTROSS CAFE

Sonali (Sonal Shah), a happily single woman in her thirties, shares an uncommonly close bond with her other half and platonic life partner, Jake (Matt Doyle). Together, the two are making extraordinary plans for the future.

 

Suddenly though, Sonali is prompted to re-consider their relationship when Jake asks for his spare apartment keys back so that he may give them to his new boyfriend, Monty.

​

Sensing a fundamental shift, Sonali examines her precarious position within her chosen family. In a world (even a gay one) that elevates traditional, heteronormative romantic relationships to be unquestionably the most important ones, is there a space for her? Where does she fit?

SonalShah.jpg

SONAL SHAH (Sonali)

Scrubs (NBC), The PTA (ABC Family), Superstore (NBC), New Girl (FOX), Spaced Out (NBC), Better Things (FX), The High Note (Working Title), Definition Please (Netflix), Four Samosas (2022 Tribeca Official Selection), Mira Royal Detective (Disney), The Powerpuff Girls (Cartoon Network), Costume Quest (Amazon). Development deal with Disney+

Matt Doyle.jpeg

MATT DOYLE (Jake)

Broadway: Company (2022 Tony-Award for Best Feature Actor), Book of Mormon, Spring Awakening. Film: Private Romeo. TV: Gossip Girl (CW)

through_crop.png

BARBIE LEUNG (CINEMATOGRAPHY)

Barbie Leung is a New York based cinematographer with a dark lyrical visual style. Recent narrative films include Tubi Originals Hidden Exposure (Dir. Todd Bogin), Kids Like Me (Dir. Cynthia Lowen and Jon Cohrs), and an upcoming feature for FOX Entertainment.

​

Leung was named a 2024 Sundance ReFrame Rise Fellow. She was also selected for the American Society of Cinematographer’s ASC Vision Mentorship program 2022-23, mentored by renown cinematographer Armando Salas, ASC.

​

Documentary feature Battleground (Dir. Cynthia Lowen) world premiered in competition at Tribeca Festival 2022, and the HBO documentary Glitch: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia is currently streaming on MAX.

Her work has screened at Sundance, SXSW, Fantasia, and Outfest. 

bottom of page