YO (Love is a Rebellious Bird)

Hey everyone!

What an incredible month it has been, 5 festivals on three continents, and so far Yo has taken home three awards.

We started the month in Ankara, Turkey, at the 29th Flying Broom International Women's Film Festival, where we were deeply honored to receive the FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) Award. We are dedicating this one to Yo and all the fierce women in our lives. We connected with colleagues and friends at DCDOX, and then the Nantucket Film Festival and the Ouray International Film Festival where we received Audience Awards at both festivals in the same weekend! Knowing that audiences love Yo as much as we do is the ultimate reward!

The FIPRESCI Jury presented us with a beautifully written statement that perfectly captures the heart of what we spent over a decade trying to build:

"The FIPRESCI Jury awards Yo (Love is a Rebellious Bird) in recognition of its ability to pay tribute to cinema as a form of remembrance and for demonstrating that memories have a life of their own. Moving between intimate documentary and cinematic reverie, the film intertwines Yo’s final moments with the world Anna creates through memory. Across stories that span eras and continents, the voice of an untamed woman emerges, guided by freedom. As past and present converge, creation becomes a meeting place where grief is transformed and love continues to flow."

NEXT UP: Bringing it Home: Martha’s Vineyard Art Show & Screenings

After taking the excitement on the road, we are finally bringing Yo home to our island community! Presented by Circuit Arts, we invite you to join us for a special screening and art exhibition giving a behind-the-scenes look at the world we created.

• Art Show Opening & Reception: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (Evening). Come see the 1/64th scale models, 1/3-scale miniatures, and the scenic art we crafted to bring Anna’s memories of Yo to life.

• Film Screenings: Friday, July 17 & Saturday, July 18, 2026

• Time: 7:30 PM (Both nights)

• Saturday Pre-Reception: 6:00 PM (Saturday night only)

• Location: Martha's Vineyard Playhouse, 24 Church Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

Banker and Anna will be present at both screenings for a Q&A immediately following the film.

[Link to Purchase Tickets]

About the Film: After losing an older and beloved friend, filmmaker Anna Fitch spends a decade obsessively building a detailed, scale version of her friend Yo’s house in her studio. It's just big enough for Anna to squeeze through the doors, and inside lives a 20-inch puppet of Yo. The film juxtaposes intimate vérité of Yo's last year with Anna's creative interpretations of her stories. In this magical place, their relationship continues.

Have you seen the film yet? 

Watch the Teaser Here

Support Our Outreach Campaign

We are currently raising funds to support a robust independent outreach effort and our upcoming 20-city "Independent Experience" Tour. Our goal is to bring Yo to arthouse theaters, museums, and community spaces across the country, creating spaces for connection and conversation just like we experienced this past month.

Independent distribution and grassroots impact campaigns rely entirely on the generosity of our community. If you are moved by our mission to share Yo's untamed spirit with the world, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today to help fund our continued outreach.

Thank you, as always, for your unwavering support, your belief in independent cinema, and for being part of this 16-year journey.

With deep gratitude,

Anna Fitch & Banker White

Mirabel Pictures & WeOwnTV