DRAWN THAT WAY

An ambitious teen lands a summer internship with her favorite film director.

Seventeen-year-old Hayley Saffitz feels destined to be in the world of animation despite her parents’ wish that she pursue a more practical career like her pre-med brother, Zach. When she is selected to intern at BB Gun Films, she is one step closer to achieving her goals: impress Oscar-winning director Bryan Beckett and secure a job in the industry after high school. Only four out of the 41 interns will be selected for a directing opportunity, and Hayley is confident she will be among them. But when all the positions are given to boys, including Bryan’s apathetic son, Bear, Hayley’s awareness of the absence and mistreatment of women at the studio heightens. Tired of being belittled by her male peers, Hayley teams up with the five other female interns to create their own short film to prove their worth. Hayley is passionate and oftentimes arrogant, but when the systemic misogyny in the studio becomes palpable, she learns to be a better team player and friend without sacrificing her self-belief. An enemies-to-lovers romance offers dimension to Hayley’s growth as an independent young woman. Sussman purposely creates a cast that reflects the lack of diversity in the animation industry: Most characters are White; Hayley is Jewish, and there is a smattering of Latinx and Asian characters.

A refreshing tribute to all the young women who are changing the story.