Showing at This Modern World block October 4th, 2025, at 7:00 PM https://hqsff.com/
By Valerie Milano
Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times, media partner of the Hollywood Queer Short Film Festival) 9/24/25 – What happens when your parent, not your ex, pops up on a dating app? That was the spark that ignited Tara Parian’s heartfelt and hilarious short film Match Dot Mom, now making waves at HQSFF.
During our Zoom conversation, Parian, writer and director of the film, shared how a late-night “what if?” moment grew into a story that flips the coming-out narrative on its head. “I was thinking about the worst person you could run into on a dating app, and suddenly I thought, what if it was your mom?” she laughed. What began as a quirky concept soon evolved into a layered exploration of queer identity, family, and the courage to step into authenticity, no matter your age.
While queer cinema often leans into drama, Parian was clear about why she turned to comedy. “Comedy is not only healing, but also connective,” she explained. “There’s lightness in coming out. It doesn’t always have to be devastating. I wanted to reflect my own voice and bring levity to the journey.”
That balance shines throughout Match Dot Mom. While the film centers on Cass, a queer teen navigating secrecy and identity, the real revelation comes from her mother Sharon, whose own coming-out journey surprises everyone. By shifting the focus to the mom, Parian underscores how acceptance and self-discovery cross generations, echoing her own experience of coming out later in life.
The casting process for Match Dot Mom was anything but ordinary. Parian received over 1,200 submissions for the mother-daughter duo, eventually landing on Christine Marie Havens (Cass) and Jennifer Coombs (Sharon). “When they read together, it was like a dream come true,” she said. “They brought so much authenticity and depth to the roles.”
The dad, played by Alan Wayne Anderson, adds unexpected tenderness. “Some of his lines were pulled directly from my own father,” Parian revealed. “Filming those scenes, I had to stop and cry, it was so real to me.”
Parian was equally intentional behind the scenes. She prioritized an inclusive crew of LGBTQ+ women, BIPOC voices, and ensured that every crew member was paid fairly. “Every person on set is an artist,” she told me. “I didn’t want anyone to feel taken for granted. Creating that kind of environment brought a beautiful energy to the project.”
Match Dot Mom is only the beginning. Parian is already developing her next short, Disco Ball Dreams, a roller-skating rink comedy about love, loss, and second chances. “It’s a love letter to breakups,” she teased. “Messy, funny, and heartfelt, like most of my dating history in my twenties.”
In many ways, Match Dot Mom is a bridge between generations of queer storytelling. Parian’s own mother, once fearful of her coming out, is now the film’s biggest champion. “She’s been the number one fan,” Parian smiled.
That arc, from fear to acceptance, from secrecy to joy, captures the heart of Match Dot Mom. It’s a film that makes you laugh, makes you feel, and most of all, makes space for queer stories told with both honesty and humor.
As proud media partners of HQSFF, The Hollywood Times is honored to spotlight Tara Parian’s work, a reminder that the coming-out story is never just one story, but a chorus of voices across time, family, and community.
Here more of the conversation here:
