Award-winning D.C. Filmmakers Announce New LGBTQ+ Short Film, “Safe Word”, a Gripping and Personal Journey of Authentic Self Discovery and Love

The queer, psychological drama makes its D.C. debut in November

Washington, D.C. – Tepui Media is pleased to announce the forthcoming release of “Safe Word”, a new powerful and thought-provoking short film that centers around the paralyzing tension between self-loathing and love. The film asks viewers the integral question: what’s at risk when we reveal our most authentic self? Executive Producer Mauricio Pita and Co-Writer and Director Christopher Cunetto teamed up to create the 15-minute film - a love letter to the LGBTQ+ community that highlights the impact internalized narratives and stigmas can create when building and maintaining genuine relationships. The film will debut in D.C. at a special VIP and press screening celebration on November 16 at GALA Hispanic Theatre (1333 14th Street NW). 

The script, co-written by German-American artist and filmmaker Eva von Schweinitz, follows the story of Cesar, an emotionally stunted man who finds release in humiliation, satisfying a cruel inner voice that fully dominates him. Cesar has a standing appointment with Bear, a tall, muscular dom. When Bear decides that their game must change, Cesar is forced to confront his deepest fears and insecurities as they move toward a paradigm-shift neither one of them expects.

The film is a deeply personal story for Pita, who also takes on the role of Cesar. He was inspired to work with von Schweinitz to develop the script based on his own personal experiences and journey towards self-love and authenticity. Pita then turned to Cunetto, with whom he has worked on a previous film, to help lead the project creatively and continue to push the characters and story.

“Safe Word is inspired by my very own struggles with mental health. It exposes my internal conflict and internalized shame for being queer, kinky, Latinx, bald, distant, scarred, skinny, different… while at the same time having to face it in front of an audience as the subject, actor, and producer in a re-watchable permanent piece of film,” said Pita. “All three on top of each other, which, according to my anxiety, is the ‘the worst possible idea in the world’ and yet, that’s the whole point of Safe Word. How vulnerable can we be before we have to use the safe word?”

“This film is an honest exploration of how our traumas and self-hate can get in the way of connection,  even when those negative voices are directly challenged. I want this film to start conversations in the community about where we find our self-worth and how the impossible standards we face as queer men impact our ability to relate and be vulnerable with each other. My hope is that the themes in the film will resonate with people outside the queer community, too, and I think everyone can identify with the fraught experiences of the characters, and hopefully feel less alone in their own struggles as a result,” shared Cunetto.  

The project is the first high-impact work that Tepui Media has debuted since the company's inception in 2021. Previously, Tepui Media co-produced the short film “Gateway” with Cunetto. “Safe Word” was shot in Northeast D.C. over six days. Award-winning D.C.-based actor and dancer Jonathan Adriel plays Bear. In addition to Pita, Cunetto, and von Schweinitz, the creative team includes Director of Photography Fernando Rocha, Camera operation by David Lotfi, Assistant Director Katy Grossman, Sound by Liam Tipler, Key Make-up Artist Noreen Mira, Production Designer Jonanthan Borgia, Wardrobe Designer Emily Cunetto, Styling Coordinator Kitt Crescenzo, Supervising Producer Elena Kritter, Assistant Producers Nina Young and Nicole Wackerly, Production Assistant Grace Chen, Assistant Editor Kayla Fyfe, Coloring by DC Color, Sound Design by Brian Jacobs Rivera, original score composed and performed by Guitarist and Composer Ryan Walsh, Title Designer Sarah Jamison, Shibari Art and Safety by Allan Sean Weeks and Unit Stills Photography by Lauren Emerson. 

To learn more about “Safe Word”, please visit here and follow Tepui Media on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Photos can be accessed here. All images should be credited to Lauren Emerson. 

To schedule an interview with Pita, Cunetto, von Schweinitz and/or Adriel and cover the screening of “Safe Word”, please email lauren@lindarothpr.com. For press unable to attend the screening in-person, a private viewing link will be provided upon request. 

About Tepui Media 

Founded by Mauricio Pita in 2021, Tepui Media is a film production company based in Washington, D.C. Tepui Media’s mission is to produce bold films about people navigating remarkable events. Tepuis are table-top mountains in the Guiana Highlands of South America that host a unique array of endemic plant and animal life.  Inspired by these powerful ecological islands of the sky, Tepui Media aims to provide a unique ecosystem of support and a platform for exciting new stories and emerging artists Visit here to learn more Tepui Media. 

###