Veracity

Gr 9 Up—This short drama follows Imani, the new girl, and Olivia, the popular cheerleader, as they navigate their feelings for each other. Olivia is unsuccessful at coaxing Imani out of her shell until they meet unexpectedly at a party. Alone together, the two young women are able to express their pent-up romantic feelings for each other, but when another partygoer accidentally walks in on them, the teens are unexpectedly outed as being gay. The reaction at their high school is less than kind, and they both struggle with suddenly being ostracized. They have to figure out how to confront this conflict—internally and in their high school community—in order to move forward. The film was made by Scenarios USA, a company that pairs established directors with high school students who have written scripts about topical issues. (Janaya Greene, 17, wrote the screenplay, and Seith Mann of The Walking Dead directed.) Though short, the film adequately communicates the turmoil that a young person may experience when coming out, particularly if they live in a community where homosexuality isn't readily accepted. The inclusion of a scene where Olivia attends a support group lets students know that there are pockets of acceptance, even in conservative communities. Though fraught with drama, the film ends on a hopeful note.