I wanna be a dragonfly

“I Wanna be a Dragonfly” is based from the Filipino children’s game with the same name that involves hiding a small object such as a stone in their palms. The game’s mechanics and chant are a metaphor of how does it feel as a queer hiding in the closet for a very long time, and the feeling of longing for freedom; hiding their true sexuality hinders them to live their lives to the fullest, to be free. The film wants to show how someone who is aware about their sexuality for a long time was carrying this feeling of longing to be free from the closet and the feeling of relief after they have the chance to finally release the “stone” or the fear that they have been holding on to their whole life.

James Benedict Calleja (PH)
James Benedict Calleja is a visual artist from the Philippines. His body of work usually composes of illustrations and paintings, it usually features Filipino themes, varying from pop-culture, folklore, culture, and history. He also likes to keep in touch with his inner child by creating artworks that reminds him of his childhood, such as his favorite street games, snacks, or a familiar short story someone told him. But just recently he got into writing and film making, and he is looking forward to write and direct more films in the future.