In the world of indie filmmaking, turning a passion project into a finished product takes grit, collaboration and persistence. Tisch Film & TV senior and first-time director Bella Ray Rosales knows all about this. Over four days of filming and weeks of editing, she worked with dozens of fellow film students to produce her short film “Lottie Baby.”
The 22-minute film spotlights the often-hidden struggles faced by young women in creative spaces. A coming-of-age story, “Lottie Baby” follows Charlotte, nicknamed Lottie, a determined actress navigating her small private school’s senior theater production and the increasingly unsettling behavior of her male director, Nico.
“Lottie Baby” delves into the intensity and uneasiness of high school theater. Lottie wants nothing more than to be cast as Jo March in her school’s production of “Little Women,” following in the footsteps of her mother, a former actress. Throughout the process, she experiences a growing tension with Nico, who clearly sees something in Lottie beyond her talent on stage. As rehearsals progress, so does Nico’s inappropriate treatment of Lottie, exposing the abusive power dynamics and sexual harassment common for actresses.
For writer and director Rosales, the inspiration for making the film came from the vulnerability she felt when taking her first acting class.
“It got me thinking, if actors are that vulnerable, if their job is to express their emotions and put everything out on the line, they can be so susceptible to abuse,” Rosales told WSN.
As her first solo production, “Lottie Baby” required a substantial fundraising effort. The 10-person production team launched an email campaign, reaching out to thousands of friends and family members. Ultimately, they achieved their goal of $21,026 and even received donations from an executive producer on Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” and affiliates with NBC and Paramount.
“Having people of that caliber support our project gave me so much confidence going into production,” Rosales said. “It was genuinely one of the smoothest sets I’ve ever been on.”
“Lottie Baby” secured spots on the festival circuit, screening at shorts programs for the British Academy Film Awards-qualifying Rhode Island International Film Festival, Boston Film Festival, New York Shorts International Film Festival and the upcoming Montclair Film Festival. At RIIFF, it won First Prize for the Best Student Film Award.
The film is a powerful example of young filmmakers using their medium to tackle difficult, relevant issues. With the story of an aspiring actress navigating a dangerous new dynamic, Rosales and her team produced a film that fosters a vital conversation about safety and respect in the pursuit of art. Lottie sets aside her qualms with Nico to advance her career, a heartbreaking choice whereby Rosales shows how the industry often forces women to put their careers ahead of their own comfort.
“The ultimate message I was trying to convey was about the kinds of things women have to go through in order to accomplish their dreams,” Rosales said. “Vulnerability doesn’t mean that people can have access to you.”
“Lottie Baby” will screen at the Montclair Film Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. Tickets can be found at this link.
Contact Caia Cupolo at [email protected].