Grins & Lies

In a picturesque coastal town in Italy, Ayesha (Mariama Conde) moves through a landscape of cobblestone streets and lively gatherings yet remains isolated behind a literal and metaphorical mask. Guided by the verses of Paul Laurence Dunbar, the film navigates the exhaustion of performing for a society that demands assimilation. Her stoicism is challenged by the presence of a young girl (Aryem)—a manifestation of her own free inner child. Through this connection, Ayesha is reminded to pursue a life rooted in authenticity, defying a world that does not love her by forcing it to witness her, fully and unapologetically, for who she truly isExperimental Short - DramaA woman begins to question the identity she’s performed her whole life, confronting the quiet, inherited act of becoming someone for everyone but herself.Grins & Lies resonates with women, particularly women of color and those from immigrant or diasporic backgrounds, ages 25–50, who are navigating identity, cultural expectation, and self-definition.It also speaks to BraveMaker’s broader community of socially conscious viewers who are drawn to stories about belonging, intergenerational dynamics, and the quiet ways systems shape who we become.The vibe is reflective, emotionally grounded, and intimate. This is for audiences who appreciate films that feel personal and honest, that spark conversation, and that stay with you beyond the screening.Comps: BLKNWS, Sampha Sisay PROCESS.