EXCLUSIVE: Cousin filmmakers Callie Carpinteri and Emma Parks have wrapped on Dirty Towel, a feature expansion of their same-name Tribeca short, starring Parks (The Short Game), Kristen Connolly (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Prom Pact), Conor Sherry (Snack Shack), Sandrine Holt (Your Friends and Neighbors), and Oscar nominee Lesley Ann Warren (Victor/Victoria).
The indie coming-of-age film is co-written and produced by the duo and marks Carpinteri’s feature directorial debut.
Set in the weeks leading up to high school graduation, it follows the complicated relationship between Charlie (Parks) and her mother, Elizabeth. As Charlie navigates sex, independence, and the generational shame that has shaped her, Elizabeth is forced to confront her own trauma, all while grappling with the return of her own judgmental mother.
The original proof-of-concept short premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival before screening at more than 25 festivals worldwide and picking up multiple awards. It’s accrued more than 1.4 million views on YouTube.
“Dirty Towel was born from our own experiences with shame and a desire to tell a story that empowers people,” Carpinteri said. “Seeing audiences connect with the original short has been incredibly meaningful, and we’re thrilled to expand this story alongside such an incredible cast and crew.”
Shot in the Chicago area, the feature take on Dirty Towel was crewed by more than 77% women, including an all-female above-the-line team. Stacey Rice of Chrystie Street Casting served as casting director, with Pascal Rudnicke Casting handling local Chicago casting. Cassidy Campbell was an additional producer, with Pitt Entertainment Law providing production counsel.
Parks is represented by Prototype Talent Agency; Connolly by Paradigm and Strand Entertainment; Lee by Gersh, Artists First, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Sherry by Gersh and Anonymous Content; Holt by Paradigm, Strand Entertainment and Gavin Denton-Eriksson; and Warren by Innovative, Management Production Entertainment, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.