SYNOPSIS
SYNOPSIS
Silly cartoonish misadventures and crude jokes about weed and genitalia are not exclusive to a cast of only straight white characters. Fed up with being losers and dealing with expectations, Jasper (Libby Larkin), Hannah (Emma Grace Myers), and Nick (Diata Coleman) create fake identities to lie, steal, and scheme their way through vacation in this sun-drenched LGBTQ comedy.
Silly cartoonish misadventures and crude jokes about weed and genitalia are not exclusive to a cast of only straight white characters. Fed up with being losers and dealing with expectations, Jasper (Libby Larkin), Hannah (Emma Grace Myers), and Nick (Diata Coleman) create fake identities to lie, steal, and scheme their way through vacation in this sun-drenched LGBTQ comedy.
PRESS & REVIEWS
PRESS & REVIEWS
September 30th, 2019
Independent filmmakers point their cameras at Old Orchard Beach, Saco
OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Two southern Maine communities are both the backdrop and the inspiration for a feature-length independent movie being filmed this week.
January 22nd, 2020
MPB underexposed: Interview with Tristen Stafford
Writer/director Tristen Stafford and cinematographer Christian Schlicht have just finished shooting a low-budget film.
June 8th, 2021
Pretenders (2021) Trailer
Co-writer and director, Tristen Stafford’s “Pretenders” is a pleasant, resin-riffic coming-of-age comedy about three friends during a hot summer. Between bowls, the trio stretches out of their comfort zones, hoping to define themselves beyond their high school rut. “Pretenders” is worth rolling, and with touches of Bob’s Burgers and Requiem For A Dream, offers more than just smoke.
March 20th, 2021
Review
If Pretenders needed a tag line, it would be 'This Movie FUCKS'
June 10th, 2021
Review
The chaotic energy in this film is unrelenting. Also I have a type.
March 21st, 2021
Old Orchard Beach provides backdrop for comedy about a tourist town
Since most movies and TV shows we watch are usually filmed in Hollywood or some place far away, it’s refreshing to watch a film made in your own backyard once in a while.
March 25th, 2021
Movie filmed in Old Orchard Beach and Saco available for home viewing
PRETENDERS is a coming-of-age stoner comedy that rebels against common film portrayals of LGBTQ characters.
March 24th, 2021
Review
Tristen Stafford’s Pretenders is what if Pam and Jim but gay.
March 24th, 2021
Review
Colorful, ambitious, progressive and so much FUN from start to finish. A MUST SEE.
June 10th, 2021
Review
Insanely quotable and charming. Go and watch it you PENISES.
March 21st, 2021
Tristen Stafford's LGBTQ Stoner Comedy PRETENDERS, Streaming Now At Cinequest Film Festival, March 20-30th
PRETENDERS is a coming-of-age stoner comedy that rebels against common film portrayals of LGBTQ characters.
April 23rd, 2021
THAT’S A WRAP! Cinejoy: Featuring the Artists & Films of Cinequest 2021 Awards Announcement
BEST FEATURE FILM: COMEDY Pretenders Director: Tristen Stafford Producers: James Canellos, Adam Gale
June 10th, 2021
Strong movie night on Saturday at the NYCindieFF
PRETENDERS is a coming of age story where each character must accept their past and figure out how to move out of their present into their future or stay the same juvenile pretender who is just a caricature of adulthood.
June 10th, 2021
Review
Insanely quotable and charming. Go and watch it you PENISES.