A Look Back at the Dirty Towel Short…

What started as a quiet conversation between two cousins grew into something far bigger than either of them could have imagined.

Dirty Towel began as an idea shared between two collaborators who had both wrestled with feeling alone in their shame and guilt surrounding sexual choices. They spoke about the silence that so often surrounds young women’s experiences, the guilt, the expectations, the invisible weight, and wondered what it might look like to tell that story with honesty. What emerged was a short film rooted in vulnerability, empathy, and the hope that no one would have to feel quite so alone.

From the very beginning, the project was intentional not only in its storytelling, but in its hiring. Dirty Towel proudly showcased a team made up of 100% women above the line and 75% women below the line, uplifting women and other underrepresented voices throughout the filmmaking process. It was important that the environment behind the camera reflected the perspective and experiences on screen.

After months of passionate pre-production and three and a half days of production on a very low budget with a very small crew, the film was complete and ready for it’s release.

Dirty Towel proudly made its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, where it screened four times to sold-out audiences, with an additional screening added due to popular demand. The momentum only continued from there. Over the next year, Dirty Towel screened at more than 25 festivals across the country, earning multiple honors including Best Short, Best Comedy Short, and Best Leading Actress for Emma Parks. The film generated over 30 press features, amplifying its message and expanding its reach.

Following its festival run, the film found a global audience online, surpassing 1.2 million views on YouTube and sparking hundreds of comments from viewers who saw themselves reflected in the story. The impact culminated in being named one of the Top 10 Films of 2025 by Omeleto, a recognition that underscored the film’s emotional resonance and cultural relevance.

Looking back, the success of Dirty Towel is measured not only in statistics and awards, but in the conversations it continues to inspire. What began as two cousins trying to articulate something deeply personal evolved into a film that traveled the country, reached millions, and helped audiences feel seen. And in that way, the heart of the project has remained exactly the same as it was at the start.