Let me introduce you to Kim Ho.

Kim was just 17 when he wrote, and starred in, his short film ‘The Language of Love’.

In the ten-minute monologue, Kim plays Charlie, a young and confused student at Sydney Grammar School, searching for answers in the middle of a French exam. Charlie, you see, is in love with his best friend Sam. But the range of feelings he’s experiencing – fear, shame, pure joy – seem too terrifying to act upon.

The short film is a tender insight into what isactuallygoing through a teen’s mind when they realise they might be in love. Or gay. Or both.

The film has garnered massive interest around the world, and has been shared by Stephen Fry, Dannii Minogue and Ellen DeGeneres.

We were lucky enough to sit down with Kim to talk about the film, and what’s next for the budding filmmaker.

Is this because of the teachers, or the students?

And that’s done really effectively through art. Films likeGayby BabyandThe Language of LoveandHolding the Manaren’t brainwashing. They’re exercises in compassion. They’re offers of acceptance. They’re challenges to increase your empathetic imagination. A friend told me her grandparents radically altered their views on homosexuality after watching my film. These films have the capacity to create change, as a resource shared openly online, at LGBT+ festivals.

Why is it so important to do so?

You can find more information about the film and Kim Ho at the ‘Language Of Love Film’ website.