In the middle of New York Fashion Week, an ambitious photographer gets a little too wrapped up in a faded model in Frank Sun’s short film Fabric. And it’s the kind of queer obsession that I wish Hollywood would invest more time in.
At the center of this this short film is Mack, played by genderqueer actor b Norwood. Mack is a curious yet reserved photographer in the middle of the madness that is New York Fashion Week. And what is just another day turns into intrigue and a quiet obsession when they meet Vanessa, played by Kate Pittard. Vanessa is the opposite of Mack; mysterious, calculating, and completely alluring.
MORE: A Safe Distance SXSW 2026 Review: An Alpine Divorce with a Sapphic Twist
Mack quickly becomes enthralled by Vanessa. And Vanessa? Oh she snatches that attention up with a hunger that is quiet but vicious. Together these two have this push and pull where Mack can’t explain the thrall that Vanessa has them under. But they indulge in it, letting themselves spiral to a point where their entire career as a photographer is put at risk because of a pretty face.
The way that Sun tells this story of obsession isn’t loud in Fabric. It sneaks up on you, caresses you, before coyly looking away. And this contrast speaks volumes as to a Hollywood that is consistently in your face, screaming at you to get the message. Fabric trusts the viewer, doesn’t force feed you the message, and let’s you get enthralled by Vanessa right alongside Mack. This is Fabric‘ biggest strength as a short film.
MORE: Them That’s Not Review: Intimate Portrait of Grief Through Queer Lens
If there’s anything I can fault Fabric for it’s that I want more.
I want more of Mack coming to terms, or even just deal with the consequences of what Vanessa did. I want another encounter with Vanessa where that burning temptation between them blossoms into something more. And I want more of this dreamy slow-burn where Mack’s desires can cause the kind of implosion you can’t look away from because it feels inevitable from the very moment they locked eyes with Vanessa.
Fabric debuted at the 2026 Tribeca Festival.
Are you excited for Fabric? Let us know in the comments below!
Queerly Not Straight posts Saturdays (or when I want) on Fangirlish with opinion pieces, listicals, reviews, and more focused on the LGBT community. Posts are ONLY published on Fangirlish.
