“Will I See You Again?” – An Award-Winning Short Film About Love and What Gets in the Way

If given the chance to find out if your personal “one that got away” felt the same way about you, would you take that chance? What if that chance was more of an ultimatum than an option? To raise the stakes even more, what if that ultimatum was issued by a recently deceased friend, passed down through his will and executed through two women operating polygraphs?

That is the premise of the award-winning short film “Will I See You Again?”

Max (Hosea Chanchez) and Paul (Nick Wechsler) — best friends turned lovers turned bitter exes — are forced into the same room at a mutual friend’s funeral. Both men half-heartedly try to reconnect. Both men rebuff each other. Luckily their friend knew the pair well enough to know how to force the conversation both men want and neither will ask for. Pushed to address their troubled romantic past, the two men ask and answer questions that have festered for years.

Real-life husbands Rhett Lindsey (Writer, Executive Producer and Poster Designer) and Michael Perez-Lindsey (Writer, Director and Executive Producer) are the minds behind this deep but quirky project, which is loosely based on Lindsey’s past.

“The story is based on my own experiences from college, capturing moments of connection, love, and loss that have stayed with me over the years,” Lindsey says. “While we’ve taken some creative liberties to shape the narrative, the emotional core of the film is rooted in my own journey and memories.”

Lindsey continues: “‘Will I See You Again?’ [is for] anyone who has ever loved, lost, or found themselves facing the shadows of the past … This story has universal themes that I believe can resonate with a wide audience, but especially with those who feel a pull toward stories of self-discovery and healing.”

Festival audiences across the country have appreciated the relational themes of “Will I See You Again?” Lindsey explains: “It’s been incredibly moving to hear people’s reactions … Audiences often tell us how deeply they connect with the story — It’s truly rewarding to see the story resonate so strongly with viewers.”

“Will I See You Again?” began as a short story that Lindsey wrote, which he and his husband later adapted for the screen. “The original short story focused heavily on inner monologue and personal reflection, capturing the nuances of memory and emotion,” Lindsey says. “Translating that into a visual medium required us to expand certain scenes and bring subtle moments of connection to life in a way that felt authentic on film.”

A few other elements of the short story needed tweaking to successfully transition to a short film. “We … made some structural adjustments to create a clearer narrative flow, adding visual symbolism to help convey themes that were originally explored more introspectively,” Lindsey says. “The heart of the story remains the same, but the shift to film allowed us to bring a layered, almost tangible intimacy to these characters and their journey.”

Creating art with a romantic partner or spouse can be both difficult and rewarding, but for Perez-Lindsey and Lindsey, the latter is more often true than the former. “Having been married for almost eight years, we’ve developed a creative partnership built on trust and openness,” Lindsey says. “We’re not afraid to challenge each other, which often brings out the best in our work. At the same time, we’re incredibly aligned — about 95% of the time — on the overall vision and choices we make.”

It was important to Perez-Lindsey to bring a similar spirit of collaboration to the set. “I genuinely believe that the best creative outcomes happen when everyone on set feels valued and encouraged to share their unique perspectives,” Perez-Lindsey says. “This approach drives me to engage openly with everyone, welcoming their ideas and interpretations and creating a space where people feel a shared ownership of the project. For me, that dynamic not only strengthens the story but also makes the whole process more fulfilling.”

Perez-Lindsey has been working in the film industry for years, but “Will I See You Again?” marks his debut as a director. “Directing ‘Will I See You Again?’ as my film debut was a deeply rewarding experience for me,” Perez-Lindsey says. “I embraced the challenge of bringing such a personal story of my husband’s to life and navigating the creative process.”

The cast of “Will I See You Again” features many actors that audiences might recognize. Rosanny Zayas from “The L Word: Generation Q,” Richard Lawson, from Tyler Perry’s “Divorce In The Black,” Nick Wechsler (“Revenge” and “Shades of Blue”) and Hosea Chanchez (The Game), are all key players in this short film.

 “Working with such a talented cast was truly one of the most rewarding parts of making ‘Will I See You Again?’” Perez-Lindsey says. “I loved watching them bring so much depth and nuance to their characters, often in ways I hadn’t even imagined … Their commitment to the story and to each other brought a new level of authenticity to the film, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”

I would be remiss not to mention the gorgeous poster art for this project, which was also designed by Lindsey. “I chose to feature stained glass as it serves as a powerful representation of Max’s character,” he explains. “The stained glass symbolizes both the beauty and complexity of his identity — his faith is central to who he is, yet he’s a ‘stained’ individual, shaped by his experiences and struggles.”

Unfortunately, “Will I See You Again?” is not yet available for purchase or streaming online, but it should be once it finishes the festival circuit. Until then, the best way to support the short and stay in the loop on any updates on availability is to follow along on social media. (Instagram @wisyafilm, Facebook under “Will I See You Again?” and at the website listed below.) Perez and Perez-Lindsey have also begun working on a limited series based on the short film, which will give audiences a deeper look at the men at the center of this story.

Lavender recommends giving this short film (and impending mini-series!) a watch once they are available. Not only is “Will I See You Again” a beautiful slice-of-life story, but it also offers the viewer an interesting lens through which to look at their own relationships and regrets. Lindsey agrees: “I hope viewers walk away with a sense of empathy and reflection on their own connections and perhaps even the unresolved relationships in their lives.”

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