Snip Short Film (director)

SNIP is Rowan’s Short film directorial debut.

SNIP is about a Young girl who is determined to finally get the haircut she’s always wanted and the unexpected feelings she experiences after the big decision.

SNIP is currently being submitted to film festivals.

Follow SNIP’s festival journey here.

some dailies from SNIP

Lily McWatters plays Michal in SNIP

snip trailer

Directed by Rowan Faris, SNIP stands out not only for its powerful storytelling but also for its commitment to female representation both in front of and behind the camera. The film features an all-female cast and a crew with over 51% female members.

A Statement from Rowan about SNIP:

I instantly connected with the SNIP script. As a young girl, I often grappled with the challenges of understanding myself—feeling both confident and confused. SNIP encapsulates these multitudes, representing the complex and dynamic experiences of growing up as a girl.

I believe SNIP resonates with a universal audience, as it captures the delicate balance between self-discovery and self-acceptance. Through this film, I hope to offer a perspective that encourages viewers to explore their identities and express themselves authentically. As well as urge viewers to consider how we can encourage, others in their exploration instead of tearing them down.

We have sent SNIP to 2024/2025 festival competitions and won’t hear back from most of them until the end of the year or even Spring 2025!

However, much to our excitement, SNIP has already been selected for Los Angeles Reel film festival AND received award from Independent Shorts Awards for best female director!!

SNIP BTS

photos by Saige Kristian

Rowan and Dp, Bailey Salwey

BTS of Rowan directing SNIP

SNIP BTS

SNIP was shot partially on 16mm film

artist statements

Luke Strauss, Writer (he/him):
“To me, SNIP is about queer existence and expression in a world that can make it difficult. It’s a celebration of the bravery that all young queer people have to find in themselves to live proudly, take up space, and prioritize their happiness.”

Michal Strauss, Writer (she/her):
“SNIP has always been a story I wanted to tell. From the moment I heard Luke's vision for the script, I knew it would resonate with an audience. At the heart of SNIP is the message that choosing to love yourself is often challenging and misunderstood, but it is always the right choice. In SNIP, we find strength in a confident spirit, see a genuine queer self-love story, and are reminded that our words and actions have the power to affect others even in passing.”

Lily McWatters, Actor/Michal (she/her):
“As a young woman in the industry, it is such a blessing to explore parts of myself that I feel I can’t in other aspects of my life. Art like SNIP and characters like Michal have given people like me a voice to express what it is like to be a young individual who longs to understand every bit of herself. SNIP felt freeing and exciting. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to tell Michal’s story and hope everyone who watches it connects with her and her journey.”