Love may be a universal human experience, but history has repeatedly demonstrated how social conventions and discriminatory systems can determine whose relationships are considered acceptable.
That conflict provides the foundation for ROSE & LEO, a 17-minute, 34-second short film directed by Audie Cordell Silcott that has been named an official finalist for the 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival (PVIFF).
Produced by Jeffrey Creightney, Jhaneal Hector, Eduardo Zamora and Silcott, the film is set in Florida during the racially charged 1960s.
The story follows a Black hotel porter and a white performer who develop a romantic connection despite the social expectations and racial divisions surrounding them.
Featuring Jeffrey Creightney, Magali Trench and Drew Cameron, ROSE & LEO joins the PVIFF finalist lineup ahead of the festival’s Nov. 5-8 gathering in Atlanta.
A Romance Across Racial Boundaries
At the center of ROSE & LEO are two individuals whose circumstances place them on opposite sides of the racial divisions defining their environment.
One is a Black hotel porter, working within a hospitality industry shaped by the broader social realities of the era.
The other is a white performer whose life intersects with his in a way that creates the possibility of an unexpected romantic relationship.
Their connection emerges against the backdrop of a society in which interracial relationships were subject to intense prejudice, social condemnation, and, in many jurisdictions during the early and mid-1960s, legal restrictions.
For the characters, exploring their feelings means challenging expectations that extend well beyond their personal lives.
The romance becomes an act of personal defiance in a setting where racial identity can influence how individuals are treated, where they belong and whom they are expected to love.
Through this premise, ROSE & LEO places an intimate human relationship within the larger historical context of racial inequality.
The central tension comes from the contrast between the characters’ desire for connection and the restrictive environment surrounding them.
Love, Freedom and the Weight of History
One of the central themes of ROSE & LEO is the relationship between personal freedom and social expectations.
The film’s 1960s Florida setting provides a meaningful backdrop for examining how racial prejudice influenced intimate relationships and everyday interactions.
The decade witnessed significant developments in the American civil rights movement, including challenges to segregation and discriminatory laws.
Against that historical landscape, the relationship between the Black hotel porter and white performer takes on significance beyond the romance itself.
Their willingness to explore a connection that society discourages raises questions about courage, individual choice and the emotional consequences of challenging established boundaries.
The story also invites consideration of the difference between legal and social change.
Even as discriminatory systems are challenged, deeply ingrained prejudices can continue shaping the experiences of individuals whose lives do not conform to prevailing expectations.
For the central characters, that reality creates a difficult question: How much personal freedom is possible when society seeks to define the limits of love?
The Personal Stakes of Defying Convention
Historical romances often gain their emotional power from the tension between individual desire and the restrictions imposed by a particular time and place.
ROSE & LEO draws upon that tension through a relationship that challenges the norms of its setting.
The film’s premise presents love not merely as an expression of affection but as something capable of confronting established social divisions.
For the Black hotel porter and white performer, acknowledging their feelings means navigating circumstances in which private choices can carry public consequences.
That dynamic brings questions of vulnerability and courage into focus.
The desire to form a meaningful connection exists alongside the uncertainty of how others may respond.
Rather than disclosing how the relationship ultimately develops, the submitted synopsis leaves its outcome for audiences to discover.
What emerges from the premise is a story about two people exploring the possibility of love in a world that places significant barriers between them.
With a runtime of 17 minutes and 34 seconds, ROSE & LEO brings this conflict into the concentrated format of a historical short film.
Meet the Filmmakers and Cast
Audie Cordell Silcott directs ROSE & LEO and serves as a producer alongside Jeffrey Creightney, Jhaneal Hector and Eduardo Zamora.
The film features Jeffrey Creightney, Magali Trench and Drew Cameron.
Set during the racially charged 1960s, the production examines an interracial romance against a backdrop of social division and restrictive expectations.
Its selection as a PVIFF finalist places the project among the independent productions recognized for the festival’s 2026 competition.
PVIFF Finalists Compete Through Judging and Audience Engagement
The 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival is incorporating professional judging and audience participation into its finalist evaluation process.
Under the festival’s announced scoring structure, 70% of each finalist’s overall competition score will come from evaluations by judges representing PVIFF and JaroGO. The remaining 30% will be determined by audience engagement through the JaroGO streaming platform.
Participating finalist films are scheduled to be available on JaroGO during a limited competition viewing period, allowing audiences to watch, rate, and comment on the selected productions.
The initiative gives independent filmmakers additional visibility while extending the festival experience beyond traditional theatrical screenings.
JaroGO is available on iOS and Android in the United States and Canada.
About the 2026 Peachtree Village International Film Festival
Founded in 2005, the Peachtree Village International Film Festival has developed into a platform connecting independent filmmakers, actors, producers, writers and entertainment professionals with audiences and industry opportunities.
Operating under its guiding philosophy, “It Takes a Village,” PVIFF combines film screenings and awards with professional development opportunities, industry panels, masterclasses and networking experiences.
The 2026 festival will take place Nov. 5-8 in Atlanta, Georgia, continuing its commitment to supporting independent voices and expanding access within the entertainment industry.
ROSE & LEO enters this year’s competition as an official finalist, with award results to be determined through the festival’s judging and audience-engagement process.
For additional information about PVIFF 2026, visit https://www.pviffatl.com/.
Film at a Glance
Title: ROSE & LEO
Director: Audie Cordell Silcott
Producers: Jeffrey Creightney, Jhaneal Hector, Eduardo Zamora, Audie Cordell Silcott
Cast: Jeffrey Creightney, Magali Trench, Drew Cameron
Runtime: 17 minutes, 34 seconds
Genre: Historical Romance / Drama
Festival Status: Official Finalist — PVIFF 2026
Festival Dates: Nov. 5-8, 2026
Festival Location: Atlanta, Georgia
