🎬 Who We Love

Who We Love (2021) is a beautifully realized, emotionally rich coming-of-age feature that secures a high-impact, socially conscious slot within the QueerFilmHub.com permanent archive. Expanded from Graham Cantwell’s own critically acclaimed, IFTA-nominated short film Lily (2016), this full-length feature dives deep into the claustrophobic anxieties of navigating teenage identity in contemporary Dublin. The narrative centers on Lily (Clara Harte), an introverted, observant high school student trying her best to fly under the radar while quietly wrestling with her burgeoning sexual orientation.

Lily's carefully constructed armor cracks when she forms a fierce, protective bond with Simon (Dean Quinn), an incredibly vibrant, unapologetically flamboyant classmate who faces daily harassment from the school's aggressive, toxic peer groups.

As Lily and Simon anchor each other through the daily minefield of schoolyard cruelty, a malicious cyberbullying attack outs Lily to the entire student body, sparking a cascade of social alienation. The pressure intensifies when the school administration reacts with bureaucratic indifference, effectively forcing Lily into a defensive shell. However, the film avoids sinking into unyielding tragedy. Lily finds an emotional lifeline through her friendship with Oonagh (Amy-Joyce Hastings), an older, fiercely confident queer woman who introduces her to Dublin’s welcoming, vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Surrounded by authentic found family, Lily begins to transform her deep-seated fear into defiant self-worth, learning to stand tall against institutional bigotry to protect the people she loves.

💡 Did You Know? (Czy wiesz, że?) 🧠
From Short to Feature Success: The project is a masterclass in long-term independent filmmaking development. Director Graham Cantwell spent five years adapting and expanding his short film Lily into this full-length feature, retaining much of the original core emotional DNA while building out the supporting character arcs.

A Massive Hit at IFTA: Upon its release, the film took the Irish cinematic community by storm. It racked up a stunning six major nominations at the 2022 Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) Awards, including nods for Best Director, Best Script, and standout acting nominations for Clara Harte and Dean Quinn.

Familiar Creative Partnerships: Co-screenwriter Katie McNeice brought an incredibly nuanced, authentic queer female perspective to the script. McNeice is a celebrated voice in contemporary Irish LGBTQ+ cinema, widely known for her award-winning short films focusing on identity and childhood innocence.

A Visual Snapshot of Dublin: Cinematographer Radu Aldea bypassed tourist-friendly, idealized views of Dublin in favor of a grounded, realistic aesthetic. The film contrasts the harsh, fluorescent, desaturated tones of the secondary school corridors with the warm, vibrant pinks, purples, and deep neon hues of safe queer nightlife spaces.

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