If queer short films aren’t usually on your watchlist, Happy Place might be the one to change that.
Written and directed by Sara Monge, Happy Place explores one woman’s journey of self-discovery after she realises she might want to date women. Naturally, she decides the best place to unpack that is at her roommate’s cousin’s lesbian engagement party. Awkward conversations, unexpected encounters, and quietly chaotic energy ensue. And lucky for you, you can watch Happy Place in full at the bottom of the article.
Set within a diverse group of friends, the short captures that in-between moment so many of us recognise – when you’re not quite out, not quite sure, and very aware that everyone around you seems to have it all figured out already. It’s funny, observant, and refreshingly honest without being heavy-handed.
The film premiered at Dances With Films Film Festival 2025 and NewFest: The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2025, and has now racked up over 56,000 views on YouTube, where viewers are loudly asking for more.
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Some of the comments say it best:
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“Dude, this needs to be an 8–10 part web show! The production quality is so good — colour grading, the actors are great, the writing is refreshing.”
“Wow ❤️ Great movie 🙂! I’m 65, a boomer, totally different generation, and I loved this.”
“PART 2!!! PLEASE… I BEG YOU.”
Sara Monge specialises in grounded comedy, and it shows. Happy Place feels lived-in and specific, the kind of short that trusts its audience and lets the moments breathe – which is probably why it’s connecting across generations.
If you’re in the mood for something thoughtful, funny, and deeply relatable, this one’s well worth your time.
Watch Happy Place below.
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Short films rarely get this kind of momentum, but Happy Place has clearly struck a nerve. We’re also waiting for part two, or the full feature film.
Nonchalant x
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
