The conversation around contemporary queer cinema gained renewed attention at BFI Flare 2026 when director Amy Leonard opened up about her short film Notice Me. In a candid exchange published on 27/02/2026, Leonard described how the project emerged from a personal need. She told attendees and readers that she set out to create something she felt she had lacked while coming of age: a portrayal that felt honest, visible and emotionally grounded. This interview offers insight into the film’s origins, its creative choices, and the dialogue it seeks to generate.
Across the interview, Leonard repeatedly returned to one line that encapsulates the film’s purpose: “I wanted to make something I felt I needed growing up.” That statement frames both the emotional starting point and the audience she hopes to reach. Below, the discussion is unpacked into the film’s intent, production approach and how it sits within the wider landscape of queer storytelling at festivals like BFI Flare.
Making Notice Me: a director’s intention
The heart of Leonard’s explanation centers on intention. She described how the film’s narrative choices were guided by the aim to offer subtle yet resonant representation rather than broad, didactic messaging. Leonard emphasized a preference for small gestures and quiet scenes that reveal character through texture: a touch, a glance, or a shared silence. For her, these moments function as narrative shorthand that invites viewers to inhabit the characters’ interior lives without heavy exposition. In doing so, the film attempts to replicate the awkward, intimate revelations many experience while figuring out identity.
Personal history as creative fuel
Leonard’s background shaped key decisions during scripting and casting. She explained that drawing from personal experience allowed her to keep the story intimate and believable. This approach produced a film that feels lived-in rather than performative, she said. The director also spoke about wanting to correct the gaps she perceived in media available during her adolescence: stories that validated desire, confusion and the messy realities of forming relationships. That corrective impulse is both the project’s ethical core and its emotional engine.
Craft choices and festival reception
On craft, Leonard discussed practical decisions that supported her thematic aims. Cinematography choices, pacing and sound design were all calibrated to create a sense of quiet attention—an aesthetic she described as inviting the audience to truly *notice* the characters. Leonard further outlined how production constraints sometimes clarified, rather than compromised, creative choices; limited resources encouraged focus on performance and atmosphere. At BFI Flare 2026, audiences responded to that intimacy, with many festival-goers noting how the film’s restraint heightened its emotional payoff.
Festival context and cultural conversation
Leonard positioned Notice Me within the broader conversation of queer cinema at festivals. She observed that platforms like BFI Flare play a vital role in surfacing diverse voices and fostering dialogue between creators and viewers. The festival setting allowed the film to be experienced communally, which Leonard values because it transforms private feeling into public exchange. She suggested that such encounters can challenge assumptions, broaden empathy and offer solace to viewers who recognize themselves on screen.
Looking forward: audience and impact
When asked about the film’s intended audience, Leonard avoided narrowing it to a demographic. Instead, she expressed hope that Notice Me would resonate across identities—particularly with those who lacked representation in their formative years. The director emphasized that the film aims to spark quiet recognition: moments where viewers feel seen and reassured that their interior complexities are valid. Leonard’s final reflections tied back to the original quote, reiterating that the film was made out of necessity rather than novelty.
Practical outcomes and future projects
Beyond immediate reaction, Leonard spoke about the practical ripple effects a festival run can produce for an independent filmmaker. Exposure at events like BFI Flare can open doors for distribution conversations, collaborators and funding for subsequent work. Leonard hinted at future projects that will continue exploring themes of intimacy and identity, although she kept specifics guarded. For now, Notice Me stands as an example of how a personally motivated film can find broader relevance through careful craft and festival platforms.
Closing thoughts
Leonard’s statement—”I wanted to make something I felt I needed growing up”—serves as a succinct mission statement for Notice Me and a reminder of why representation matters. The film’s presence at BFI Flare 2026 and the discussions it generated exemplify how cinema can both reflect and shape cultural understanding. For viewers, filmmakers and festival programmers alike, Leonard’s project highlights the power of small, attentive storytelling to create meaningful connection.