Um Caroço de Abacate (An Avocado Pit)
2022 · 20m · Portugal
Directed by Ary Zara
Genres: drama, LGBTQ+, romance
A trans woman and a cisgender man meet by chance on the streets of Lisbon one night and share a transformative encounter — dancing their differences away until morning light, finding curiosity and recognition rather than romance.
Picked by Margot
The scouts
Lisbon night-meeting between a trans woman and a cis man that refuses the trauma narrative — Elliot Page EP, Oscar shortlist, candy palette, focus on joy. This is the rare 'positive trans representation' short with actual craft behind it.
Zara's Oscar-shortlisted trans-and-cis dance-encounter, executive-produced by Elliot Page through PAGEBOY, is precisely the trans-joy-centered cinema the medium has been calling for. Tangerine-adjacent in spirit, more controlled in form.
97th Academy Awards Best Live Action Short Film shortlist, executive produced by Elliot Page through PAGEBOY Productions — 19:38 trans-directed film centering joy over trauma with candy-dipped saturated color as emotional signposts. Ary Zara's commitment to recognition rather than romance as the narrative arc is the smart choice.
Reviews
Shot with a saturated, candy-dipped palette that echoes Larissa's confidence and clarity. As a debut short, it feels like a new way of seeing — one where trans joy isn't surprising, but expected.
Ary Zara made history as the first trans director to have ever made it to the Oscars shortlist in the Best Live Action Short Film category.
Festivals
- AFI Fest 2022
- IndieLisboa 2022, Three awards
- Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2023, Best Queer Short Award, Audience Award
- Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2023, Best International Narrative Short Grand Jury Prize
- Guadalajara International Film Festival 2023, Best Ibero-American Award
- Academy Awards (Oscars) 2024, Shortlisted (first trans director shortlisted)