Synopsis

Set in real time during the final minutes of pre-drinks, I Am the Sexiest Girl of All Time follows Maeve, a loud, sharp-tongued university student who’s trying to tell her best friend Alexa a secret that could change everything. As their group of friends gets ready for a fight night, casual conversation turns crude, tensions simmer, and Maeve’s urgency to speak grows. When she finally confesses that Alexa’s boyfriend once assaulted her, the night fractures — exposing the quiet cruelty that hides beneath their friendship. Told through a one shot-style movement, the film traces Maeve’s desperate attempt to be heard, exploring the complexities of “minor” assault, the need for validation, and the loneliness of being perceived as strong.

Director’s Statement

“I am the sexiest girl of all time” explores women’s relationships with sex, and the isolation that follows when a sexual trauma doesn’t fit society’s idea of a “serious assault.”

Set in real time over the last 15 minutes of a party, we follow Maeve, who struggles to tell Alex, her best friend from school, that Alex’s boyfriend sexually assaulted her. But it’s made even more difficult by her fear that her assault isn’t “bad enough.” It exists in a grey area—uncomfortable enough to feel wrong, but mild enough for it to be played off as a joke.

It’s a strange experience to be told that something really bad happened to you when you can’t fully contextualise it as bad in your own head. You rely on the people close to you to validate your experience, regardless of how “severe” you think it is—which is exactly what Maeve is terrified Alexa won’t do.

While the sexual assault is a huge part of the film, it’s also about women and their relationships with each other. The film touches on my own experience of how internalised misogyny and rape culture can permeate female friendships.

Maeve wants to tell Alex what happened partly out of concern for her safety, but mostly—and perhaps selfishly—because she wants to prove to herself that Alex will choose her over her boyfriend. Her bluntness and tough-love attitude also give her friends a “free pass” to dismiss her emotions, a feeling I resonate with and don’t think is explored enough.

Meet our HODs!

Director

Lena Athreya is the writer and director of I Am The Sexiest Girl of All Time, marking her third year directing. The film is deeply personal, exploring intimate aspects of the female experience that she is eager to bring to life with her team. Lena gravitates toward projects that challenge convention and genre, and her close collaboration with her Director of Photography will be essential in navigating the film’s technical demands. Her favourite film, The Florida Project, reflects her love for emotionally raw, visually vibrant storytelling grounded in realism and heart.

Producer

Aaron Kokolay is the producer of I Am The Sexiest Girl of All Time, eager to guide the project from concept to screen and tackle a creatively ambitious production. He is a Burmese-British filmmaker based in London with years of experience in the production department, from assistant directing to associate producing. He was drawn to the film’s bold choice to be shot in one continuous take and its emotional depth, as well as the chance to collaborate with another Asian filmmaker. Its exploration of identity and self-expression connects to Aaron’s own experiences and artistic voice, reflecting his focus on bold, character-driven stories that challenge convention. His favourite film is Black Swan, showing his fascination with stylised, psychological storytelling and artistic transformation.

Director of Photography

Molly Kreitman is an enthusiastic and passionate Director of Photography, returning to collaborate with director Lena Athreya for the second year in a row. She has experience working as a DOP, camera assistant, and freelance videographer, giving her a broad understanding of both creative and technical aspects of filmmaking. With strong visual instincts and a keen eye for composition, Molly will craft an immersive and captivating cinematic experience, helping to bring a story she feels is deeply important to life. Her favourite film is Phantom Thread, which inspires her attention to meticulous detail, texture, and emotional nuance in visual storytelling.

Production Designer

Lara Wilson is the Production Designer for I Am the Sexiest Girl of All Time. She brings experience working in the art department on short films, and a passion for 80s horror and bold, vibrant colours that informs her creative approach. With a sharp eye for detail and a head full of ideas, Lara aims to shape the film’s distinctive visual style while balancing imaginative design with storytelling needs. Her favourite film is American Beauty, inspiring her to create cinematic worlds that are visually striking, emotionally resonant, and layered with detail.

Head of Sound

Louis Everitt is serving as Sound Designer for I Am the Sexiest Girl of All Time. Returning to collaborate with Aaron once again, he brings professional experience in SFX, recording, and post-production. His approach focuses on realism and attention to detail, capturing subtle sounds such as footsteps, clothing rustle, and the textures of Maeve’s intimate world. By blending naturalistic Foley with layered sound design, Louis aims to create an immersive auditory experience that draws the audience through the film’s one-shot perspective. His work ensures every moment is felt as much as heard, with an approach akin to Climax (2018), using sound as a visceral force that mirrors Maeve’s emotional descent and sustains the film’s rhythm.

Why we need your help!

This film has been unconditionally greenlit by the University of the Arts London, which means we’ll receive a £1,000 grant and access to basic equipment. That support gets us started, but it doesn’t get us to the finish line. Our full budget is £5000, and we’re raising the remaining £4000 through this campaign to make the film at the level it deserves.

This project is being driven by a team who believe in the story enough to give their time for free, so every contribution goes straight into what keeps the production running. A large share of the budget goes toward feeding the crew across long shoot days. Camera, transport and locations take up the next biggest portions, giving us the tools, access and mobility that a film which requires a lot of technical demands, needs. The remaining percentages cover the essentials: production design, makeup, costume, insurance, amenities and post-production. These are the elements that help the cast feel grounded in their characters and allow the crew to work safely and confidently. A small contingency handles the unexpected.

Any donation, no matter the size, makes a real impact. It strengthens the project, supports the people bringing it to life and helps this film reach the standard it’s capable of. Your support doesn’t just cover costs, it powers the energy behind every scene.

Thank you beautiful people and we hope to see you in our credits list :)