I Wish I Were Pretty, 20min., USA
Directed by Hanah Chang
Areum (which means 'beautiful' in Korean) is fixated on her physical appearance. She is convinced her monolidded eyes are why she is 'unpretty,' especially in comparison with her longtime best friend, Jane (as in plain Jane), who has double-lidded eyes and is so beautiful that she could be mistaken for a K-Pop idol. Areum tries to work through her insecurities with her therapist, Helen. But when a man humiliates Areum in front of Jane, Areum has to decide whether to finally face a long-festering sore spot and see her own value or let her friendship with Jane deteriorate.

https://www.instagram.com/iwishiwere_pretty/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I had found out about the Julia S. Gouw Short Screenplay Competition a few years ago, which at that time would provide $15,000 in production funding for the winners. I looked into my depository of unfinished scripts, and when reading through, was pleasantly surprised by the origins of 'I Wish I Were Pretty' (as in, I thought to myself, "This isn't bad, I can use this!"). I worked hard and quickly to polish it, submitted, and when I didn't get accepted, decided to make it myself. (Such is indie film life.)

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I can't quite remember when I first had the idea for the original script, but I'm thinking it was around 2021, and then I re-worked it for that short competition for the 2022 cycle. We completed it in 2025.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Personal and relatable.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Probably keeping my energy up - we were working around everyone's schedules and were never able to assert this project as anyone's priority because everyone donated their time to make it happen. Plus, random setbacks would happen, like the time that someone stole the hard drive I was sending out to our colorist.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Relief because I was fully expecting some negative feedback, awe because I didn't intend for this to be an educational film and now I'm re-thinking who our audience actually is, gratitude for people being able to resonate with what we have to say and noticing the hard work we put in to things like nuance.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

When I was younger, I was that super obnoxious kid who always had a digital camera in your face recording every banal moment, but I don't think I had filmmaking intentions then. In 2019 I decided to give acting a chance (finally) and then when the world shut down in 2020, everyone was talking about making your own stuff, so I started writing. And then the rejection from the competition came, so that was, I think, the main catalyst.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I think the biggest thing is probably community. We're all trying to make a mark on the world in some way, but I think the most important thing is the journey and treasuring your local impact as opposed to trying to chase a grandiose end result. I'd love to talk with those who watched the film and grow in community with y'all as well!

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

FilmFreeway is a great site. Pretty straightforward and allowed us to find great festivals to submit to like Chicago FEEDBACK Festival. It was also helpful having all of our information in one spot which allowed the submission process to be very easy! (It would be nice, though, if more festivals showed submission stats and if there was more uniformity between TRT requirements, types of deadlines, etc.)

10. What is your favorite meal?

Marinated kalbi with alllllllll the side dishes.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I've been developing a story idea for the last couple of years based on my experiences growing up in the Korean church. It started out as a mockumentary, for which I wrote the pilot, but I've been hardstuck in the writing process and am now trying to write it as a feature instead. Wish me luck / send some prayer to the writing gods that some creative flow will take over my brain, please.