I DIDN’T LIKE YOU, 12min., USA
Directed by Parker Fenady
As Emilia and Maxine spy on their best friend’s first date, they come to realize the chemistry might not be between the couple they anticipated.
https://www.instagram.com/parkerfenady/
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
For me, this story was always the one. It’s my opener—my “Hey, this is me. This is what I’m about” piece. Coming of age can feel electric, like you’re catching lightning in a bottle as you live it. This is a first love story—a rush in every sense of the word. More than that, it’s about all the little moments that once made you feel out of place, suddenly dissolving in an instant. It’s about the euphoria of finally feeling at home in your own skin, independent of anyone else’s opinions. That was this story for me.
At the same time, I was drawn to how naturally this story fit into the short film medium. That feeling of transience—of being thrown right into something before you’ve had time to make sense of it—mirrors the experience of coming of age itself. It rarely has a clear start or finish, and it’s almost never a clean break. The short form captures that immediacy, that fleeting intensity. And beyond that, it’s a fun movie. Bringing a little slice of fun into the world felt like a nobe idea.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
To be honest—it was completely surreal. We’re just starting to show the film to audiences beyond those directly involved, so seeing how it’s landing is incredible.
Watching people engage with the film in such an intimate way was so special. I never fully imagined this part of the process, so I’m just trying to stay present and take it as it comes.
When watching the audience feedback, I kept thinking: yes, girl, she gets it. She’s eating in her textual analysis. Seeing the audience pick up on the subtlety and layers beneath the surface was incredibly rewarding. It made me realize the impact of every small choice, bringing me right back to the edit. It’s a testament to all the unseen, often tedious collaborative work that went into it—work that wouldn’t have been possible without Luke, Cooper, and Alexis, who were with me every step of the way.
Working with Alexis, Katelyn, Yasmeen, and Nate was truly a masterclass for me as a director. They’re all so brilliant, talented, and dedicated. They are the heart of this project, each in their own way, and I’m just so excited to be able to honor and showcase their work. This is a performance-driven piece, and seeing them get their flowers makes me feel incredibly proud.
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