One woman gets a second chance at fulfilling her lifelong dream in filmmaker Artima Sakulkoo’s short drama, It Happened In August. Written, directed by, and starring Sakulkoo, this inspirational story explores the ups and downs of navigating life’s unpredictability. The film made its premiere at the 2025 Reeling LGBTQ Film Festival.

No Dream is Impossible

The film opens on Aimme (Artima Sakulkoo), a queer Thai immigrant, who receives a life-changing phone call. On the other end of the line is her brother, informing her that their mother is dying. Moments later, Aimme’s girlfriend Sandra (Linsy Segarra), unaware of the devastating news Aimme has just received, excitedly shares her latest professional acting win. It takes everything in Aimme to appear happy for Sandra, all the while fighting an overwhelming feeling of sadness, jealousy, and defeat.

Time passes, and when we meet Aimme again, she is single and living with her brother. Since their mother’s passing, Aimme ignores her dreams of being a successful artist. Instead, she works at a local Thai restaurant to cover the mounting bills. One late-August evening, Sandra, Aimme’s now ex-girlfriend, walks into her restaurant. They are both caught off guard yet welcome the unexpected reunion. Sandra, a professional acting coach, effortlessly brings out the spark in Aimme that had been dormant for too long. As old feelings resurface, Aimme must navigate family responsibilities and her longing for a life in the arts, discovering the courage to open herself to that possibility again.

Director Statement

Says Artima Sakulkoo, “It Happened in August is a deeply personal film. I lost my mother at the same time I was discovering my queerness. For years, I never felt fully comfortable in my body or my sexuality. Making this film became a way to honor that journey and reconnect with the parts of myself I had kept small. One of the most meaningful discoveries I made as a filmmaker was finding my audience. This film is for queer people and for Thai immigrants in the U.S.—for anyone yearning to be seen, loved, and understood. It’s for those whose stories deserve to exist on screen.”

Takeaway

Navigating family dynamics, exploring self-identity, and rekindling old relationships is a trifecta of emotional challenges. It Happened in August doesn’t shy away from these difficulties, but reflects the growth potential that can be achieved in challenging times. Artima Sakulkoo leads with vulnerability and heart both in front of and behind the camera. The result sheds light on experiences that are deeply personal to Sakulkoo and, most likely, will resonate with audiences too.