by Luna Abréu-Santana
directed by Alexis Elisa Macedo
Fangirl tells the story of how a hit teen drama, its passionate fanbase, and an online catfishing scheme can turn even the most resistant into a hardcore super-fan.
Jackie Gonzalez is obsessed with Star Thieves, a hit musical TV show about the trials and tribulations of band life. While considered a “loser” at school, Jackie is lovingly embraced by her online fandom community: the “Thieves.” In an attempt to publicly humiliate Jackie, high school bully, Quinn, devises a catfishing scheme where she poses as “Willow,” a new stan on the block. As Quinn becomes emotionally invested in the fictional world of Star Thieves, Willow and Jackie’s relationship progresses and they plan to meet at the fandom event of the year: Comic Con. What will happen when Jackie realizes that her online bestie is actually the bully from her everyday life?