It Was Love To Me

A complex, intimate relationship brews between a 15 year old tennis player and the 18 year old prodigy he looks up to.

Directed by Raza Rizvi
Produced by Raza Rizvi, Jordan Shanks, and Lily Yang

Director’s Bio: Raza is a filmmaker from the Bay Area and recently received his MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2023. He has written, directed, produced, and done production design for several short films that have toured the festival circuit. His most recent short film It Was Love To Me is aiming to premier at festivals in the summer and fall, and he is currently producing the feature film Lemonade Blessing to be released in 2025. Raza is passionate about making and designing thematically provocative and intimate films that explore the deeper relationships between people and the buried inner truths that exist within ourselves.

Plays in

Queer (Be)longing

Everyone wants to find their people. Humans crave connection and intimacy whether searching for a friendship or a romantic relationship. Sometimes, we find lifelong partners and friends. Other times, we’re left wanting more time, more depth, more people, just more. The desire for belonging and acceptance is universal across genders, sexualities, and countries but is uniquely felt by those with marginalized identities such as LGBTQ+ people. These films capture the heartache and frustration of seeking acceptance and love, contrasted with the joy and relief when you find someone who cares for you deeply.