Sugar Beach

Rosalyn, a wealthy and talented high school senior, grapples with immense grief after the loss of her brother in a surfing accident. The void left behind by his absence consumes her, and she begins a descent into addiction—alcohol becoming her solace as she numbs the pain and confusion. Amidst her downward spiral, she finds herself in a complex relationship with two other people, Isaac, and Emma. Drawn to the comfort and sweetness of their affection, the throuple provides a fleeting sense of escape, but Rosalyn's internal struggle with grief and substance abuse complicates her search for self-love, growth, healing and identity.

Director Biography - Noely Mendoza

Noely Mendoza is a Mexican American award-winning filmmaker from Santa Barbara who brings together documentary authenticity and narrative storytelling. After graduating with honors from Amherst College in Film & Media Studies and collaborating with Oscar-winning filmmakers, she made her feature debut with Sugar Beach, an independent coming-of-age romance.

Her films focus on intimate character moments set against bigger stories, creating work that feels both immediate and lasting. As a mother, Mendoza has found her perspective deepened, bringing new awareness about time, legacy, and the stories that matter most.

As co-founder of Flashbear Films, she's building work that doesn't compromise on emotional truth, creating films meant to connect with audiences and spark meaningful conversations.

Director Statement

I was immediately drawn to the story of two young women who refuse to wait for permission or apologize for their desires. In a culture that pressures young people, especially women, to suppress their sexuality and conform to rigid expectations, watching these characters take control felt both powerful and necessary. Their boldness in pursuing what they want becomes an act of rebellion against societal constraints.

The setting became equally important to the narrative. California's Spanish Colonial architecture carries a haunting beauty built on histories we collectively refuse to acknowledge. The grand estates of places like Rancho Palos Verdes function as fortresses of privilege: stunning yet exclusionary. I wanted these structures to operate as characters themselves, gorgeous but subtly menacing, reflecting the beautiful facades that often mask darker truths.

At its core, this film explores how the throuple evolves into a chosen family. When traditional family structures and societal institutions fail to provide the love and acceptance young people desperately need, they must forge their own networks of care and support. These three characters discover something authentic together: a way of loving and supporting each other that surpasses the hollow relationships they witness in the adult world around them.

Stylistically, we employed handheld cinematography inspired by verité techniques and my background in documentary filmmaking. Multiple perspectives unfold simultaneously, creating an intimate, unguarded viewing experience. Rather than observing from a distance, audiences discover these pivotal moments alongside the characters, fostering deeper emotional connection and authenticity.

This story feels particularly urgent in our current moment. Young people are actively redefining love, relationships, and family structures while traditional institutions crumble around them. In an era defined by uncertainty and upheaval, the most radical act might simply be creating your own version of home: building the love and stability that the world has failed to provide.

Host or Publisher Harvey Milk Festival DBA Fabulous Arts Foundation