Lola: A Student Thesis Film
Boston, Massachusetts | Film Short
Drama, LGBTQ
Lola tells the story of a young man who discovers his late uncle’s drag legacy and, in searching for answers, finds his own identity. At a time when queer stories are being challenged and erased, telling this one is necessary. Your support is crucial in bringing Lola to life!
Lola: A Student Thesis Film
Boston, Massachusetts | Film Short
Drama, LGBTQ
1 Campaigns |
Green Light
This campaign raised $2,627 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
58 supporters | followers
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Lola tells the story of a young man who discovers his late uncle’s drag legacy and, in searching for answers, finds his own identity. At a time when queer stories are being challenged and erased, telling this one is necessary. Your support is crucial in bringing Lola to life!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The film opens on Carter, a college-aged boy, who discovers an old box in his basement containing a variety of drag memorabilia that he learns belong to his late uncle, Kenny, who died before he was born. His mother, Carol, finds him with the box and takes it from him, not offering any clue as to who Kenny really was . Driven by curiosity, Carter goes on to find Marco, Kenny’s former drag partner, and begins to uncover the world of drag and the AIDS epidemic. As their bond grows, Carter confronts his own strained relationship with Carol and wrestles with his own identity. Ultimately he decides to step into the spotlight himself, as a way to honor Kenny’s legacy and claim his own.
Director's Statement
by Dylan Gozdziewski
I would not be the person I am today without the guidance and support of my queer elders. Their stories, resilience, and joy showed me that queerness is not just survival, but an inheritance of creativity and courage. With Lola, I want to honor that lineage.
Beneath this story is the silence of the AIDS epidemic, an entire generation lost, their art and joy often hidden away in closets, boxes, and whispered memories. Lola asks what it means to uncover that history, and how connecting across generations can transform grief into belonging.
Tone
Lola balances intimacy with spectacle. It’s tender and emotional: exploring self-expression, grief, family tension, identity, while also incorporating more playful, campy elements. It’s grounded in realism, but heightened with performance and glitter.
Production Timeline
Budget Breakdown
By contributing, you’re helping us cover the core expenses of production, ensuring our team has the resources we need to tell this story. Your donations will directly support each of the departments displayed below:
$10 → Feeds one crew member for a day (because no one makes good art on an empty stomach).
$25 → Helps us buy makeup and wig supplies to achieve authentic drag looks..
$50 → Covers costume pieces and props that bring Carter’s and Marco’s world to life.
$100 → Pays for a day of lighting or sound equipment rental, ensuring our film looks and sounds professional.
$250 → Covers location fees for filming, helping us ground Lola in a space that feels true to the story.
$500 → Covers film festival submission fees and distribution costs, helping Lola reach audiences beyond our set and share this story with the world.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment
Costs $500
Professional gear ensures Lola looks and sounds cinematic, capturing Carter’s story with clarity and emotion.
Production Design
Costs $500
Costumes, props, and sets bring drag culture and queer history to life, making Lola visually rich and authentic.
Distribution
Costs $500
Festival fees and distribution help Lola reach audiences worldwide, sharing the film's story beyond our set.
Locations
Costs $300
Authentic spaces ground Lola in a believable world, giving this story the right backdrop to shine.
Craft Services
Costs $200
Feeding our cast and crew keeps energy high on set—because creativity thrives when everyone’s cared for.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet Our Production Heads!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The film opens on Carter, a college-aged boy, who discovers an old box in his basement containing a variety of drag memorabilia that he learns belong to his late uncle, Kenny, who died before he was born. His mother, Carol, finds him with the box and takes it from him, not offering any clue as to who Kenny really was . Driven by curiosity, Carter goes on to find Marco, Kenny’s former drag partner, and begins to uncover the world of drag and the AIDS epidemic. As their bond grows, Carter confronts his own strained relationship with Carol and wrestles with his own identity. Ultimately he decides to step into the spotlight himself, as a way to honor Kenny’s legacy and claim his own.
Director's Statement
by Dylan Gozdziewski
I would not be the person I am today without the guidance and support of my queer elders. Their stories, resilience, and joy showed me that queerness is not just survival, but an inheritance of creativity and courage. With Lola, I want to honor that lineage.
Beneath this story is the silence of the AIDS epidemic, an entire generation lost, their art and joy often hidden away in closets, boxes, and whispered memories. Lola asks what it means to uncover that history, and how connecting across generations can transform grief into belonging.
Tone
Lola balances intimacy with spectacle. It’s tender and emotional: exploring self-expression, grief, family tension, identity, while also incorporating more playful, campy elements. It’s grounded in realism, but heightened with performance and glitter.
Production Timeline
Budget Breakdown
By contributing, you’re helping us cover the core expenses of production, ensuring our team has the resources we need to tell this story. Your donations will directly support each of the departments displayed below:
$10 → Feeds one crew member for a day (because no one makes good art on an empty stomach).
$25 → Helps us buy makeup and wig supplies to achieve authentic drag looks..
$50 → Covers costume pieces and props that bring Carter’s and Marco’s world to life.
$100 → Pays for a day of lighting or sound equipment rental, ensuring our film looks and sounds professional.
$250 → Covers location fees for filming, helping us ground Lola in a space that feels true to the story.
$500 → Covers film festival submission fees and distribution costs, helping Lola reach audiences beyond our set and share this story with the world.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment
Costs $500
Professional gear ensures Lola looks and sounds cinematic, capturing Carter’s story with clarity and emotion.
Production Design
Costs $500
Costumes, props, and sets bring drag culture and queer history to life, making Lola visually rich and authentic.
Distribution
Costs $500
Festival fees and distribution help Lola reach audiences worldwide, sharing the film's story beyond our set.
Locations
Costs $300
Authentic spaces ground Lola in a believable world, giving this story the right backdrop to shine.
Craft Services
Costs $200
Feeding our cast and crew keeps energy high on set—because creativity thrives when everyone’s cared for.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet Our Production Heads!