‘Veracity,’ An Impactful LGBTQ Short Film

Veracity film poster. 

Olivia learns the hard way that popularity can turn on a dime, especially in high school. It offers no protective shield against the early developmental stages of teenage homophobia— a condition that some will continue to latch onto in adulthood. Unfortunately, it has deep negative history in the Black community, that of which still exists today. 

Olivia (Kiki Layne) performs her monologue in drama class. DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw.

Carolyn (Christina Harper) begs Olivia (Kiki Layne) to attend James’s party with her, saying that only with Olivia can Carolyn receive entry. DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw.

Veracity highlights the super quick turnaround Olivia faces after she’s discovered kissing the new student Imani, a quiet, isolated girl kicked out of her old school for the very thing Olivia is suddenly ostracized for. Carolyn, the best friend character immediately removes herself as Olivia’s sidekick, becoming instead a fellow instigator. 

Olivia (Kiki Layne) is very much intrigued by the new transfer in her drama class Imani (Shea Vaughan-Gabor). DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw.

At James’s house party where lots of underage drinking happens, Olivia is assaulted by James. Yet, no one seems to care about it. She even brushes it off and warms him that his advances remain unwanted. Instead, Olivia finds out Imani lives there. Since unsuccessful at getting the quiet girl to enjoy the party backfires, the two watch television together. A tickling session becomes a full out passionate session which is then rudely interrupted, causing a huge humiliation for both Olivia and Imani. Everyone is so comfortable seeing James kiss on Olivia without her consent, but two girls making out because they want to disgusts their young impressionable minds— minds that are conditioned to only be okay with heteronormativity. 

Olivia walking through the hallways, feeling the repercussions from the party. DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw.

The heart of the matter is that growing up many Black parents/guardians teach the values in respecting racial differences/backgrounds. The later sexual talks (uncomfortable as they are) only focus on heteronormativity. Thus, when queerness comes, everybody is appalled, unprepared to react accordingly. Parents will abandon their children, even disown if they’re not “acting normal.” There can be no celebration when there’s little understanding and lack of empathy. 

Imani coldly informs Olivia that before she was kicked out of her old school, she had a girlfriend and received consequences for it including expulsion. DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw.

Olivia makes the girl’s bathroom her escape place. DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw. 

With award-winning actress Kiki Layne in a stellar debut as Olivia, brilliantly directed by Seith Mann, and bravely written by Janaya Greene (who wrote the screenplay during her senior year of high school), Veracity could have easily transformed into a full-length feature, a perfect companion piece to dee rees unforgettable Pariah— a film that came out three years prior which also started as a short. Veracity touches on significant changes the outcasted Olivia undergoes in order to put her mental health on a good path— attending support group and compromising with Imani that she is there to be a friend, not necessarily form a romantic relationship.

Another student offers Olivia a positive outlet. DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw.

A man shares his story about falling for his teammate, losing that friendship, and being disowned by his mother. DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw.

Olivia is moved by the story, perhaps seeing the commonality in her own present. DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw.

Veracity deserves immense love and flowers for bringing awareness to the issues LGBTQIA+ teenagers experience on top of trying to get an education. They have to survive daily bullying from their peers at school and whatever exists at home— that’s stacked pressure weighing on their vulnerable impressionable minds often leading to self-harm. Imani definitely presents the identity struggle, contemplating doing the unthinkable as events continue escalating for her, her own cousin disgusted by who she is. Although it is unclear what Olivia endures in her home life, she no longer has to channel her lesbianism alone and neither does Imani. 

So Carolyn doesn’t need Olivia around to get into James’s good graces. DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw.

Imani contemplates the tragic way out. DP: Tommy Upshaw-Maddox.

Often, a hug can bring the most beneficial source of comfort— something of which the quiet Imani needed from Olivia. DP: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw.

From beginning to the powerful end, Veracity showcases that there is love and care— a supportive community waiting— to all those who are undergoing traumatic consequences for being different. This solid short film is available to view on YouTube as part of the Scenarios USA series.