Freshman Neil's Vanguard stories are all he cares about...until he meets the older Julia, who pushes him to put his own fan fic online. When the website's moderator takes a special interest in Neil's work, it opens up a whole new universe.
Acting
Hannah Marks brings chaotic mentor energy you didn't know you needed
Writing
Fanfic dialogue so authentic you'll swear they lurked your AO3
Production
Low-budget con culture captured with unsettling accuracy
Director
Clay Liford
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This is one of the only films to treat slash fandom with genuine respect rather than punchline energy, capturing a specific 2010s Tumblr-era moment.
Director Clay Liford based the Vanguard universe on his own teenage fanfic experiences, and the film premiered at SXSW to a crowd that definitely recognized themselves.
US
