Writer/directorPatMillswasoneofourfavoritediscoveriesoutof2014followingthepremiereofhisdebutGuidanceattheTorontoInternationalFilmFestival(StranddistributedthefilminlateAugustof2015andit’scurrentlystreamingonNetflix).TheTorontobasedfilmmakerisalreadyatworkonhissophomorefeature,Don’tTalktoIrene,aprojectwhichtookhometheBestScreenplayawardatthe2013AustinFilmFestival.Returningoncemoretothedevelopmentalhellofhighschool,thefilmisabodypositiveteendancemovieabouta16yearoldnamedIrenewhodreamsofbecomingacheerleaderdespitethecrueltyofherpeers.Justpriortoproduction,thechoreographerMillshadbeencirclingtohireforthefilm,NicoleArbour,endedupinasocialmediafirestormwithaninsensitiveYouTubevideotitled“DearFatPeople”(ifyoudidn’tcatchMills’eloquentresponse,it’sworthlookingup).Ironically,itlendsanunexpectedweighttotheimportanceofMills’subjectmatter.Theprojecthasbeenindevelopmentforseveralyearsandwe’rehighlyanticipatingmoreendearing,acerbiccomedyfromtheCanadianwriter/director.