Directed, Written & Produced by Michelle West
Short Narrative | 24 min | English | USA
Saturday, September 27th, 2025 | 6:00PM Screening
Neighborhood House at Christ Church
20 N. American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Based on a true story set in 1933, 13-year-old Betty discovers a mysterious secret in her family’s decrepit home, it’s a fetus hidden in a trunk. She soon realizes it’s tied to a painful history, and it’s up to her to create the healing the women in her family so desperately need.
Director’s Bio
Michelle West
Director/Writer/Producer
Michelle is a Los Angeles-based narrative director of heart-centered stories about self-discovery, connection, and hope – but always with a twist.
Her latest short drama, Lineage, starring Cailin Peluso (Law & Order: SVU) and Christopher Callen (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), is based on a true story about three generations of women and their experience with abortion during the Great Depression. Lineage hits the festival circuit in 2025.
Her short dark comedy, Lesbophilia, starring Vico Ortiz (Our Flag Means Death) and Lana Parrilla (Once Upon A Time), is about radical acceptance within relationships even when extremely uncomfortable, winning Stage 32’s Short Film Contest, “Best Female Short Film” at FilmOut San Diego, and was an Official Selection at two Oscar-qualifying festivals (HollyShorts and Out On Film: Atlanta) in 2024.
Her short drama, Cosmic Love, premiered at the 2022 Pasadena International Film Festival and won “Best Female Empowerment” film at the San Diego International Film Awards.
With nearly two decades in entertainment, Michelle has experience as a producer, assistant director, and actor; is a graduate of the UCLA TFT Program for Acting; is a member of the DGA; and teaches at the Semester in LA program for Columbia College Chicago. For more info: www.itsmichellewest.com
“If you obey all the rules,
you miss all the fun.”
Katherine Hepburn
Actor
thewomensfilmfestival.org 