Ellie and Abbie - and Ellie’s Dead Aunt (2020), directed by Monica Zanetti

School Captain Ellie wants to ask Abbie to the formal, but it’s a big step when she’s not sure that Abbie likes her that way and she hasn’t even come out to her mum yet. It’s not necessarily helpful when the spirit of Ellie’s aunt Tara appears to offer advice. She was a leading gay rights activist who died before Ellie was born and times have changed since her day. This is an LGBTQI story that could be anyone’s story in its essentials. The simple coming of age/coming out tale gains depth from Tara’s historical perspective, without labouring the issues. The relationships all come across as authentic and it is refreshing that the lead characters in an Australian film are all women. Sophie Hawkshaw as Ellie is a young Virginia Gay; Marta Dusseldorp brings extra class as her mum; and Zoe Terakes as Abbie has a natural appeal. The film was crowdfunded and while it is a pity that was necessary the result vindicates the faith shown by the generous crowd.