The Global Search for Education: Love, Language & Identity in Aimee Victoria
This month, you can screen Aimee Victoria, a powerful 11-minute short directed by Chrystee Pharris, now streaming on Planet Classroom’s YouTube Channel. Created entirely during the COVID-19 lockdown, the film tells the story of two deaf queer women — played by Natasha Ofili and Stephanie Nogueras — separated by the pandemic but deeply connected through memory and longing.
Written by Mikail Chowdhury and Hannah Harmison, Aimee Victoria is a remote production that transcends physical limitations to deliver an emotionally resonant love story. The film captures universal themes of isolation, identity, and communication — while spotlighting authentic LGBTQIA+ and Deaf representation on screen.
We’re pleased to welcome director Chrystee Pharris to The Global Search for Education to share her creative process and vision behind the film.
Chrystee, how did directing entirely during lockdown shape your creative process and storytelling approach?
It changed everything. I had to direct three actresses — two of whom are deaf — remotely over Zoom. One of the actresses’ husbands, who handled lighting and camera, was also deaf. So together, we had to find a rhythm that respected how they communicate, while still achieving the emotional impact the story needed.
Even with all of that distance, I still needed to draw powerful performances. I didn’t want viewers to focus solely on the fact that the characters are deaf — I wanted them to experience a beautiful, human love story. And then say, “Oh wow, they communicate in ASL.” That shift in perspective was key for me.
This was also my first short film, and we were on a tight deadline because it was part of a web series. So it really became a crash course in creativity, empathy, and trust.
With limited settings and separate shoot days, how did you create emotional intimacy between the characters?
It was all about imagination and trust. The actors never saw each other during production, so we had to create emotional connection through performance alone. Each actor needed something different from me — and I embraced that challenge.
What helped most was casting. You need actors who not only fit the role but are willing to go emotionally where the story asks them to go. I learned a lot from my mentor, Ted Lange, who taught me how to meet actors where they are and guide them to discover emotional truths. That’s what I focused on here.
How did you ensure an authentic and respectful portrayal of deaf culture and ASL on screen?
I did my research, but most importantly, I listened to my actors. One of them shared something that really stuck with me: directors unfamiliar with ASL often cut away too early or crop frames in a way that loses part of the language. But ASL isn’t just hands — it’s a full-body language. Facial expression is grammar. Cutting mid-sign is like cutting someone off mid-sentence.
So I worked closely with our editor to make sure we didn’t lose that integrity in post-production. I’m proud of how we handled that. I hope it encourages other filmmakers to approach ASL with the same care and respect.
What impact do you hope Aimee Victoria has on the future of inclusive storytelling?
I hope it expands the conversation around what inclusion really means. For a long time, I saw it only in terms of race — Black, Latino, Asian — but Aimee Victoria helped me see how vital it is to include people who are deaf, blind, neurodiverse, or disabled. Their stories deserve to be told with care and depth.
We shouldn’t fear difference — we should celebrate it. I hope this film reminds people that representation brings hope. It says, “You belong here.” And I hope it inspires more filmmakers to lead with empathy and expand the boundaries of whose stories get told.
Thank you, Chrystee!
C.M. Rubin with Chrystee Pharris
Watch Aimee Victoria — now streaming on Planet Classroom’s YouTube Channel. This film is curated by Planet Classroom.