From writer-director Brooke Sebold comes Grandma Bruce, a short film sprinkled with magic whose impact and wit leave a lasting impression far surpassing its 13-minute runtime. This surreal comedy is rooted in reality but offers audiences a surprising twist that will have you laughing one minute and pondering thought-provoking social issues the next.

It’s a big day for Brooke (Laura Chirinos) and Sofia (Fernanda Urrejola). On their way to meet Sofia’s parents for the first time, Brooke starts to have a flare-up of anxiety. She forgets to buy the cheese–the one appetizer she was tasked to bring–and second guesses her “first look” outfit, specifically her baseball hat. Sofia isn’t concerned about the hat as much as she is about the cheese, so Brooke decides to make a solo detour and swing by the store to pick up the forgotten item.

That’s when she hears a familiar voice from the backseat of her old Lexus, whom she has named Bruce. Confused, Brooke looks in the rearview mirror and sees her charismatic Jewish Grandma (Monica Piper), a presence from beyond the grave. We then learn that Brooke inherited the car after her Grandma’s passing, which Grandma now embodies in the afterlife. Through funny and judgemental remarks that are completely unsolicited, Grandma’s surprise appearance is a test for Brooke. Offering outdated advice in both life and style, Brooke still finds a way to connect with her Grandma by looking beyond the unsolicited comments about societal norms. Brooke reminds Grandma that love can be expressed in many ways, and her acceptance of Brooke’s life choices would be appreciated but not required.

The writing is sharp and poignant, self-identifying as a “queerdo” and lines like “Grandmas must have hard candy and Kleenex on hand at all times” intends to stir up a sense of nostalgia. For Booke Sebold, the inspiration for the script was taken from her own life, especially the relationship with her grandmother and their shared car. Grandma Bruce encourages audiences to continue engaging in these conversations, even if they’re difficult, in an effort to normalize the very normal act of falling in love with whomever one chooses.

Grandma Bruce is full of whimsical magic while also offering a necessary perspective on conducting queer conversations within the family unit. As Brooke says herself, “Grandma Bruce is a love letter to my grandma, but it’s also about celebrating one’s choices and letting go of cultural expectations [about] life looking any particular way.” The film has been selected to screen at the 2024 Oxford Film Festival.