When the Journey Becomes the Film: Panisset’s Meta-Documentary Premieres with UniAction

On June 18, 2022, UniAction proudly presented Two Straight Girls at a Queer Fest at Cinéma Du Parc in Montreal—a heartfelt, witty, and introspective indie film directed by Marie-Hélène Panisset. The film chronicles a real-life road trip taken by Panisset and actress Judith Baribeau, who play fictionalized versions of themselves—Em and Jay—as they travel to present a short film at a queer film festival in Durham, North Carolina.

What begins as a simple journey becomes a layered, self-reflective filmmaking experiment. With no crew, a camera, and a pop-up tent trailer, the two women document their evolving friendship, personal struggles, and creative frustrations. The film deftly mixes comedy, vulnerability, and improvisation, resulting in a genre-bending narrative that feels both raw and real.

UniAction’s screening included a post-film discussion, engaging the audience in conversations about mental health, identity, women in cinema, and the often-unseen emotional labor behind independent filmmaking. With its bilingual context and Montreal roots, the film resonated deeply with local audiences.

Celebrated for its authentic storytelling, Two Straight Girls at a Queer Fest is more than just a travelogue—it’s a reflection on artistic reinvention, resilience, and the transformative power of friendship. The Cinéma Du Parc event marked an important moment for local cultural programming and showcased UniAction’s ongoing commitment to promoting bold, socially relevant Canadian voices in film.