WE ARE NOT UNICORNS
New York City, New York | Film Short
Documentary, LGBTQ
Where should my generation go to find others, if the nearest lesbian bar is 2 hours away? This film explores the insides of what lesbian bar culture has evolved from, and it's vitality across multi-generational perspectives.
WE ARE NOT UNICORNS
New York City, New York | Film Short
Documentary, LGBTQ
1 Campaigns |
Green Light
This campaign raised $3,580 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
47 supporters | followers
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Where should my generation go to find others, if the nearest lesbian bar is 2 hours away? This film explores the insides of what lesbian bar culture has evolved from, and it's vitality across multi-generational perspectives.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
WE ARE NOT UNICORNS melts together the experiences of six queer women, whose stories bring awareness to the outside world on what a lesbian space looks like, and how it can change your life.
Over the course of two weekends, the film follows the riveting nightlife with our youngest participants, Tilly and Liz.
WE ARE NOT UNICORNS is a film for both the people who have been in lesbian spaces, like bars, who can reflect on the community and joy in them, AND for those who do not to ignore the overwhelming issue of a lack of queer women's spaces and sober spaces.
For our younger viewers, it’s about finding connection and hope that there will be spaces like this as they get older.
It is also to push them to be a part of these spaces and keep them alive for the people who came before them and the ones who will come after.
For our older audiences, it’s about reflection; reflection onto the communities and spaces that shaped them, or the lack of this support in their life.
We hope to bring a positive light onto their history, while also recognizing the need for change and expansion.
WHY I'M TELLING THIS STORY
WE ARE NOT UNICORNS is a project that represents both a personal and artistic inquiry to me, and in doing so, as an act of preservation and love.
As someone of youth who has also begun identifying her queer identity as a lesbian, I relate most closely to the youngest participants, those searching, and eager to understand what community truly means.
Through the film, I seek to bridge that personal discovery with the experience of older lesbians.
I'm approaching this story with reverence for the women and nonbinary people who built these spaces when survival required secrecy and courage. At the same time, I bring my contemporary lens that is shaped by our digital age, where queer connection often happens online rather than in person.
My bias, if any, lies in the belief that physical queer spaces remain essential—that connection cannot be entirely digitized.
HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US
WE ARE NOT UNICORNS is currently in post production, but we need help covering the cost of color grading, graphics, music licensing, film festival submissions, and all the final adjustments that ensure this film is ready to share with audiences around the world.
OUR GOAL OF $4,000 WILL GO TOWARDS ALL POST PRODUCTION & PUBLICITY COSTS.
As of March 2026, we have fully wrapped physical production. Our picture locked film will be shared with the rest of the post-production team at the middle of May.
We plan to compensate, and use any funds raised by June 2026 to submit to the coming round of film festival submissions.
To give back to Unicorn Bar for hosting us during production, we plan on finishing & sharing the film for its first screening for cast, crew & local Kingston bar-goers during Pride Month.
We are almost to the finish line and need your help to get us there!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
DCP Package
Costs $300
When our film screens at Film Festivals, our film must be formatted as a DCP to be allowed to show for all audiences to watch and enjoy.
Score Composition/Sound
Costs $1,000
We are working with a fantastic sound team, and need to help fund the creation of the score & sound editing design for the entire film.
Soundtrack/Supporting Artist
Costs $1,000
We are collaborating with a very special indie-rock artist, who is composing an original song for the film and need to fund the resources.
Film Festival Submissions
Costs $600
Even as students, festival submissions add up! We need help covering the cost of these submissions so our film can be shared widely.
Color Grading
Costs $100
We have a very talented student colorist joining us and need to compensate the resources for editing the final look of the film.
Impact Campaign
Costs $1,000
To distribute this piece properly, we need the funds to support rental fees, a backup hard drive, memorabilia, and public event costs.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET OUR TEAM
Valentina Quintero (Director/Editor) is an alum mater of the ReelWorks Fellowship program, and is an emerging lesbian and latina filmmaker from New York. She currently studies at the Conservatory of Film at Purchase College. Her narrative and documentary work explores identity, memory, and place within queer and marginalized communities.
Sophia Kamensky (Producer) is a junior in the Purchase College Film BFA. She is very passionate about the topic of this documentary and telling queer stories. Her filmography consists of colorful depictions of queer female relationships through the lens of horror.
Phoebe Midttveit (Director of Photography) is a current sophomore in the Conservatory of Film at Purchase College. As a lesbian filmmaker and cinematographer, she found a true connection to the film and a passion for the impact it will have. She is a published poet and award-winning screenwriter. Her films have screened and won at All American High School FIlm Festival, Los Angeles Femme Film Fest, the 50/50 Horror Fest, and the Woodstock Film Festival.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
WE ARE NOT UNICORNS melts together the experiences of six queer women, whose stories bring awareness to the outside world on what a lesbian space looks like, and how it can change your life.
Over the course of two weekends, the film follows the riveting nightlife with our youngest participants, Tilly and Liz.
WE ARE NOT UNICORNS is a film for both the people who have been in lesbian spaces, like bars, who can reflect on the community and joy in them, AND for those who do not to ignore the overwhelming issue of a lack of queer women's spaces and sober spaces.
For our younger viewers, it’s about finding connection and hope that there will be spaces like this as they get older.
It is also to push them to be a part of these spaces and keep them alive for the people who came before them and the ones who will come after.
For our older audiences, it’s about reflection; reflection onto the communities and spaces that shaped them, or the lack of this support in their life.
We hope to bring a positive light onto their history, while also recognizing the need for change and expansion.
WHY I'M TELLING THIS STORY
WE ARE NOT UNICORNS is a project that represents both a personal and artistic inquiry to me, and in doing so, as an act of preservation and love.
As someone of youth who has also begun identifying her queer identity as a lesbian, I relate most closely to the youngest participants, those searching, and eager to understand what community truly means.
Through the film, I seek to bridge that personal discovery with the experience of older lesbians.
I'm approaching this story with reverence for the women and nonbinary people who built these spaces when survival required secrecy and courage. At the same time, I bring my contemporary lens that is shaped by our digital age, where queer connection often happens online rather than in person.
My bias, if any, lies in the belief that physical queer spaces remain essential—that connection cannot be entirely digitized.
HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US
WE ARE NOT UNICORNS is currently in post production, but we need help covering the cost of color grading, graphics, music licensing, film festival submissions, and all the final adjustments that ensure this film is ready to share with audiences around the world.
OUR GOAL OF $4,000 WILL GO TOWARDS ALL POST PRODUCTION & PUBLICITY COSTS.
As of March 2026, we have fully wrapped physical production. Our picture locked film will be shared with the rest of the post-production team at the middle of May.
We plan to compensate, and use any funds raised by June 2026 to submit to the coming round of film festival submissions.
To give back to Unicorn Bar for hosting us during production, we plan on finishing & sharing the film for its first screening for cast, crew & local Kingston bar-goers during Pride Month.
We are almost to the finish line and need your help to get us there!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
DCP Package
Costs $300
When our film screens at Film Festivals, our film must be formatted as a DCP to be allowed to show for all audiences to watch and enjoy.
Score Composition/Sound
Costs $1,000
We are working with a fantastic sound team, and need to help fund the creation of the score & sound editing design for the entire film.
Soundtrack/Supporting Artist
Costs $1,000
We are collaborating with a very special indie-rock artist, who is composing an original song for the film and need to fund the resources.
Film Festival Submissions
Costs $600
Even as students, festival submissions add up! We need help covering the cost of these submissions so our film can be shared widely.
Color Grading
Costs $100
We have a very talented student colorist joining us and need to compensate the resources for editing the final look of the film.
Impact Campaign
Costs $1,000
To distribute this piece properly, we need the funds to support rental fees, a backup hard drive, memorabilia, and public event costs.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
MEET OUR TEAM
Valentina Quintero (Director/Editor) is an alum mater of the ReelWorks Fellowship program, and is an emerging lesbian and latina filmmaker from New York. She currently studies at the Conservatory of Film at Purchase College. Her narrative and documentary work explores identity, memory, and place within queer and marginalized communities.
Sophia Kamensky (Producer) is a junior in the Purchase College Film BFA. She is very passionate about the topic of this documentary and telling queer stories. Her filmography consists of colorful depictions of queer female relationships through the lens of horror.
Phoebe Midttveit (Director of Photography) is a current sophomore in the Conservatory of Film at Purchase College. As a lesbian filmmaker and cinematographer, she found a true connection to the film and a passion for the impact it will have. She is a published poet and award-winning screenwriter. Her films have screened and won at All American High School FIlm Festival, Los Angeles Femme Film Fest, the 50/50 Horror Fest, and the Woodstock Film Festival.