A queer coming-of-age romance set in a Chinese restaurant - Lucky Fish

In her debut short film, writer and director Emily May Jampel stages the perfect meet-cute between two Asian-American teenagers who share a similar distaste for their respective families’ expectations about who they should be. In Lucky Fish, Lukita Maxwell (AppleTV+'s Shrinking, HBOMax’s Genera+ion) stars as Maggie, a young girl aspiring to attend Sarah Lawrence a.k.a. “the lesbian art school?” who tries to dissociate during a dinner with overbearing adults at a Chinese restaurant.
In the bathroom, Maggie encounters Celine (Anna Mikami from The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, Birds of Prey) who leads her into a room with a fish tank - a dreamy, almost-forgotten world where anything seems possible. In the midst of making awkward conversation and stealing glances at each other, Maggie and Celine find reasons to be slightly less miserable at dinner.
From the get-go, Lucky Fish feels like a journey into a familiar world of fleeting crushes, teen angst, and the thrill of quiet, unexpected desires and rebellions. Jampel meticulously invokes nostalgia for liminal spaces à la 90s teen romances like Romeo + Juliet. Unlike these films, however, the stakes are relatively low for the leads in Lucky Fish (no one dies and families are not torn apart, phew). It really just is a short, sweet film about sapphic euphoria which, some would argue, is rare these days.
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[@notevenemily]

the color grading is beautiful and the acting is so natural and everything was perfect and so cute 😭💗

[@thicipaprika]

hey emily why are you crying

[@ilikedogs4176]

@@thicipaprika but thats not even emily

[@Jadeddoxy]

Ikr 😭

[@Burnttoess]

Look who’s here

[@hsbsvdn]

@@ilikedogs4176 lmaooo

[@sheilaorozco1063]

i need a show about them NOW

[@onthatgrind8378]

FR

[@younico4818]

1000 yes

[@flix9630]

ABSOLUTELY 😭😭

[@shainaarnoux8427]

Yes

[@ikisshanie]

YES

[@카이-q1c]

we need more sapphic content like this one cos most sapphic movies/shows usually ends up being tragic. imagine how tired we are.

[@zairefranklin122]

Fr it’s annoying

[@bischwester8619]

This right here

[@qannicc]

So so so so true like wtf I've been noticing this pattern

[@nancyrifo4928]

Hermoso

[@GadgetsGearCoffee]

Probably cuz the people who greenlight those stories are homophobic probably cis hetero men who don't want to see happy queer stories. I do see more but still most of them are tragic

[@theamazingbeck7042]

having the deepest conversation with a stranger and then you guys kiss, my dreams have fabricated into reality!!!

[@blacktomatolive]

Got me laughing in good few mins

[@JottedPictures]

I’ll never understand why society has such an issue with something so beautiful

[@offcamera882]

those shy grins after they kiss is EVERYTHING- i'm all giddy and heart-fluttery ;-;

[@Jadeddoxy]

I know right 😭

[@ashvergent]

"trying to get me to be some version that I don't wanna be, instead of actually trying to get to know me" that hit me hard.

[@Lilibee_15]

I think this is one of the best things I’ve ever watched. Better than any queer short film. The environment was so relaxing, it was so chill, just a kiss, and Asian girls are sooo pretty. I love this sm.

[@althuman4099]

This is just adorable , thank you

[@cette_fille3606]

"i'd rather be selfish than miserable "

[@joonieluv5918]

This was one of the first sapphic short films that I watched when I started watching them a few months ago. And since then I've seen a lot , and I mean a LOT of them. And this still remains one of my top favourites. Conveyed so much in such

[@amarachiiheanacho776]

can you please recommend some of your other favorites

[@bernicemcgill7192]

I need this to be a movie 😢💕

[@marumarucals]

Shut up this is so beautiful, also the girl in the blue outfit is so beautiful, the best 8 minutes of my existence for real, we need more content like this, the convo about being selfish rather than miserable is so real, not only for their preferences but also for everything else, the way you live your life it might be disappointing for them but at the end of the day is our life, aaaaaa I loved it so so much

[@thomasg627]

This is one rare exception where an open end is the best possible end of a film, because it invites you to dream about what could happen next and what your favorite ending would be.

[@em-zr8bi]

this is such an important short film!!!! a relatable and a safe, cozy watch that I wish we had more of

[@arloinsixiengmai6629]

GOD!! I NEED THIS TO BE TURNED INTO A MOVIE OR SERIES SO BADLY😭

[@Ariyuumi]

I swear to god if y’all don’t make this into a show or movie Im gonna cry.

[@someone-afk]

i’m smiling so hard, it is sooo cute!

[@RavenaGomes]

the chemistry between the actresses, the lines and the photography and everything about this short film is perfect, i would peacefully watch a 2 hour movie with their story

[@mainaviews]

we love you gay people !!!! this was so healing to watch i giggled a little when she called celine pretty then they kissed and i sighed so hard when celine said nevermind like nooooo that was your chance please take it ( even though i probably wouldnt have either ) . Loved it. truly .

[@vitoriamarques4427]

It made me smile and giggle and smirk omg it’s so cute and lovely💕

[@hanimachan5331]

My God, what a great short film- they have an otherworldly chemistry and they are so beautiful together aaaaaaaaaa my girls. The actress who plays Maggie also played a sapphic character in another short movie, "the beginning & the middle" on the channel Alexis G. Zall. Please do a series about these girls, they are amazing!!!!!

[@Mobius-eh8ic]

YALL WHY IS THE MAIN CHARACTER SO SIMILIAR TO ME LIKE ITS CRAZY ALSO THIS FILM IS SO GOOD IM CRYING WE NEED MORE

[@leftover_rice]

fr im an upcoming freshman too like 😭

[@headintheclouds02]

The cinematography and sound quality was amazing that I was so mesmerized. This is my favorite sapphic short film I ever watched. I really hope this blows up and we can get a longer show with the same characters. Their chemistry is off the charts and it would be nice to see more sapphic stories and representation.

[@kiana6065]

I swear I had a dream last night about having a meet cute in a restaurant and found this gem of a short film a day later! Hehe I agree with all the comments and hope you're able to turn this into a series! Truly a sapphic masterpiece

[@reijshin]

dude i was smiling the whole time, hoping to see more of this

[@MP-kc8nr]

Omg it was so perfect, the directing, the acting, the tension, I need more of these two !!!

[@magentapurpleblues]

this totally happened to me too except for the bathroom scene onwards (it only happened in my head)

[@xiaoyu7020]

My mom ask me why do i smile while watching the phone, i wanna know too omg i can't stop smiling with these 2 cuties

[@GregFeels]

Soooo adorable! Made me smile big! 😍

[@clau7522]

The background sounds and music are so relaxing. I keep coming back to it because it's sooo sothing

[@Gatotoes]

SCREAMING CRYING KICKING MY FEET OML THIS WAS SO CUTE

[@КисПис-б1с]

I need whole show about this ❤❤❤

[@matchaT808]

I need a movie or TV series about them NOW. Please!!!

[@chickenplaysfr]

I am so girl crushing rn for purple girl

[@leftover_rice]

me too lmao she's so pretty

[@kristenyang._.]

Plz let it become a film or tv show! It’s so good!

[@priskr21]

We need more wlw content like this cause goddamn that was beautiful 😭

[@elise1450]

The vibes ❤ please make this a movie 😫

[@alanisdiamonds1222]

Y’all needa make this into a movie😭

[@JoseMijangos91]

I just got this one recommended by YT and I'm glad I watched it! That was a really good short!

[@queeringyoutuberesearch]

this is so beautiful, and it feels like a "Carol" ending when they staring at each other

[@onebihuman]

I looked away for ine second and they were already kissing, my heart 🦋

[@elle8099]

oh god. please let this be a movie or a series!! 😍

[@kl_my_x]

this needs to be a movie

[@avashane]

THIS NEEDS MORE VIEWS

[@choresabiswane6102]

This reminded me of "saving face" Ugh, I love that movie

[@lovelife2186]

Now this is a show

[@chubbs.the.great_]

why did this make me cry 😭

[@stanpurplekiss8437]

This was art🥺😭

[@lovelife2186]

Finally a happy ending

[@vanzzor8854]

meu deus essa foi a coisa mais linda e fofa que vi esse ano 🤧

[@nandatsani2941]

Fuck! The precious 8 minutes screentime in my whole life. NEED AN ENTIRE SHOW ASAP

[@CrazyCupCake991]

How dafuck do i get a cute girl to flirt that boldly with me at a chinese restaurant like what??? obviously a movie cus no way this happens irl

[@demonsmile]

Not sure why but i’m getting some Saving Face vibes

[@forkmcspoon198]

Definitely was expecting a "Seems this fish tank really is lucky." 😂

[@lipikagoyal5677]

This had me screaming and giggling into my pillow at 3 AM . HELP

[@brittanylong6696]

I’m obsessed. I need more of them

[@xxsabinexx777]

Celine so gorgeous, I'll melt if she looks at me like THAT!!! 😩😩

[@ilyhannnie]

why can’t this happen to me

[@yougtoo]

THIS IS SO FRIGGIN CUTE!! I love this sm

[@madeofcastiron]

this is so cute and healing to watch.

[@tangerineblaze2567]

This needs to have a part 2.❤❤❤

[@yogiclaudia]

that literally made my heart explode

[@i6tski]

LINDO 😭💗💗

[@милаястарушка_злобныйдед]

I've notice that in every movie about lesbian relationships is always appearing a water in different ways - a lake, or an ocean, a river, or in this case an aquarium. I mean it is kind of too cliche but damn still gives a beautiful look and a hint of our primal nature

[@Undeaddreamer01]

Water is a symbol of change and adaptability, it’s part of that subconscious design

[@vincyagain]

I can’t stop smiling while watching this, help 🙈

[@blorbo8381]

Wow, this was beautiful 😭😭😭

[@edc9116]

They are so cute wth! I miss this kind of feeling🤧

[@c.morees9698]

A great saying...better selfish than miserable..... Just live your life as you want to live it...if you turn right, people... will say you have to turn left...if you turn left...people will say you have to turn right... The right path probably lies between right or left and that's your path.... your life.....

[@SonChaey0ungo.0]

Wow... I want them to star in movies .. Shows too now😮😮❤❤

[@antianna8384]

What a lovely, sweet film! I need more HAHA

[@Artemis513]

AHALHSKSJS I! LOVE! MIXED! REPRESENTATION!!!!! IM NOT ASIAN MYSELF BUT ITS SO RARE TO SEE MIXED CHARACTERS LITERALLY AT ALL MUCH LESS MIXED GIRLS OR EVEN MIXED QUEER PEOPLE AND I LOVE THIS SO MUCHHH 😩 💕 DIES IN LESBIAN

[@sareneve1626]

BRO THIS IS ADORABLE the little smiles after they kissed awww

[@zoeni2691]

That’s perfect!!! All conversations are so true and natural. The parents are just like my parents 😂I need 100 episodes about them.

[@zzztam]

THIS IS PERFECT :( truly beautiful

[@Itsprobablynotme]

PLEASE I would love more asian lgbt representations ( as a wasian speaking ), please make this into a serie...

[@kayimini777]

This was so cute and sweet now I want a whole series of them.

[@sarangya]

THAT WAS SOOO GOOOD UGH GIVE THEM MORE PROJECTS TOGETHER PLEASE

[@TTV_Madam]

This is so cute i just can’t! it feels so peaceful

[@TititoDeBologay]

Brilliant little gem. Nice photography, engaging actors. Coming of age in more ways than solely sexuality, themes of being a 3rd culture kid and trying to find a way . Brilliant !

[@almuadita02]

Ha sido extrañamente satisfactorio. La química de ambas y el ambiente creado por la iluminación y la música hacen que se sienta hermoso y natural. Amo que no es que una tuvo que insistir o sacar a la fuerza a la otra, sino que a las dos les sale natural y ambas son valientes al decir - Do you really mean that? - Ok, yeah... yeah I did. Y amoooo las actuacioneeees

[@chinn343]

Wow love it! Please make more of these ❤

[@kookoo47]

😍😍😍Very well done! Thank you EMJ for this peak at budding teen romance. The worry of disappointing family traditions and not knowing how to deal is a subject matter that a lot of teens are facing and it's nice to see a story where its working out, or starting to. Brava to the two young leads, as well!👏👏👏

[@LilacUnderworld]

This is so cute! Such a beautiful film!

[@nesharjun6281]

Nice

[@fulaninhaempoderada6074]

no cause that was so beautiful

[@JosefinViken]

I really liked this short film :)

[@juankruis109]

need more of them. i mean why it was just 8 minutes? bcs u know it’s pretty good!!!!! please make abt them more!!!

[@gabriellaselly9433]

I want moreeeee!!! Really need the full version or another ep pls

[@mimiw.2530]

i rather be selfish than miserable ... I RATHER BE SELFISH THAN MISERABLE

[@abby2857]

I need a part 2 ASAP❤️

[@behindtheroadsmovie]

oh gosh this is so so beautiful 🤍🤍🤍

[@rayharley597]

Would love to see a short series with these characters, kerk

[@NoaTerryVeitia-vs3io]

This needs to be a show!!

[@BPx48]

It's beautiful ❤ Really love story and atmosphere 🥰

[@erinrh8]

What I would do for a show of these two

[@gabrieldiazsosa]

NEED A SHOW OR MOVIE FROM THEM😭😭

[@luce69]

got me smiling the whole video

[@niamhbarry-fx9sf]

give me the movie right now!! obsessed and i adore Lukita!!!

[@tdf_worldkey6666]

Gods i need a whole series and or a movie this is so good and well done. Im super glad my mom isnt pushy about me meeting anyone but knows i like guys not so much my queerness. The girls in like are super duper pretty tho such butterflies