I’m Jana Landon, the producer of Sweetheart! I was immediately drawn to the themes of consumption in this visually ambitious story. Not only is Sweetheart about a queer man being consumed by an AIDS-like illness that’s turning him into candy; it also explores social media consumption in a society that rewards trauma with clicks.
Prior to AFI, I worked in HR at Google and for many years I was a program manager focused on increasing representation of Black, Latinx, and women students at the company. I feel honored to continue to advocate for underrepresented communities and their stories as a producer and, through Sweetheart, make a film that centers the queer community.
Thank you for believing in our story and following the journey. Don’t forget to donate via the links in our bio by Sept 8!
#SweetheartAFI #QueerCinema #SupportEmergingFilmmakers
2025 tested our resilience. Amongst other tests, I watched my California family rebuild from the LA fires and my mommy unexpectedly lost her twin brother. But we fought hard for joy, and we won: writing/producing a short film starring actresses whom I admire, Beyoncé (plus manager Blue and Rumi), interning for multiple production companies including THE Viola Davis’s, my best friends’ weddings, the opportunity to take my honorary Habesha title to the next level, shooting my thesis film, and getting engaged!! The second half of this year really outdid itself in the best ways ❤️🙏🏾
One day, in college, an Alpha is going to offer you untainted jungle juice. It is very important that you accept the untainted drink, bless him with just one dance, and then have nothing to do with him for 15 years, until the day he randomly DMs you out of the blue, totally unprovoked, and asks if he can get to know you better. I’m not saying definitely marry the guy who serves you jungle juice in college but also, don’t necessarily rule him out!
@odysseus8717 , I love you. You’ve been nothing but intentional since that day you DMed. You are my answered prayer. We’re just getting started!
🍌🌭 ^ ♾️
Today’s the day ⏳❤️
This team has given everything…our love, our time, our late nights, and our hearts… to bring Sweetheart to life.
Now we just need your support to carry us across the finish line. Won’t you join us?
We are Sweetheart.
Link in bio.
We’re bringing Sweetheart to life!
Sweetheart is a queer AFI thesis film about obsession, temptation, and what happens when love gets a little too sugary. 🍬
Behind the scenes, our crew is the heartbeat of this film. To keep them energized, @janannigans is raising funds to cover meals.
A contribution of $25, $60, or any amount helps us stay nourished and creative all the way to the finish line.
Won’t you be part of feeding this vision?
Deadline is THIS SUNDAY Sept 28.
#SweetheartAFI #AFIThesisFilm #AFI #QueerCinema #AmericanFilmInstitute #LGBTQFilm #SupportEmergingFilmmakers #StudentFilm #ShortFilm #QueerStories #LGBTQCreators #DarkComedy #BodyHorror
Ring ring! Baby @janannigans is on the line and she’s asking for your support 📞🍬
We need to raise $35,000 by September 8th to bring Sweetheart—our queer, candy-coated dark comedy, to life.
🍭 Send Us Some Sugar! The direct donate link is in our bio, and donations can be tax deductible and are eligible for employer gift match programs through AFI as a non-profit institution. Even $10, $20, or $50 helps move us closer to our goal.
🍬 Pass Around the Candy 🍭 Every like, comment, follow, and repost helps us spread the word and get this film in front of more eyes.
✨ Sprinkle Us Around. The right introduction to an organization, a business, or a passionate person who loves queer cinema could make all the difference.
Baby Jana’s been taking calls since she was three, and this is the most important one yet. Don’t leave her on hold. Be a Sweetheart. 💖
#SweetheartAFI
#AFIThesisFilm
#QueerCinema
#AmericanFilmInstitute
#LGBTQFilm
#SupportEmergingFilmmakers
#FilmCommunity
#StudentFilm
#ShortFilm
#FilmmakersOfInstagram
#BehindTheScenes
#QueerStories
#LGBTQCreators
#DarkComedy
#BodyHorror
#SurrealCinema
#ArthouseFilm
#CultFilm
#Storytelling
#CinemaLovers
#janaiscalling
🎬 We’re making a surreal, queer thesis film at AFI — and you can help make it happen. 🔗DONATE VIA LINK IN BIO🔗
“Sweetheart” is a darkly comedic, surreal, body-horror about a queer man slowly turning into candy while his online audience tries to eat him alive. It explores love, sacrifice, and the cost of turning trauma into content.
We’re raising **$35,000 by September 8th** to make this happen! 🔗DONATE VIA LINK IN BIO 🎁Gifts can be tax-deductible through AFI 🤝Matching & in-kind gifts welcome 🏳️🌈Even $5 makes a difference
You know the deal! Like and follow to learn more about our story. We shoot Oct 15-24, so time to get this party started! Let’s build something sweet together. 🍬🍭🫶
#SweetheartAFI #QueerCinema #SupportEmergingFimmakers
My biggest birthday flex was not being able to celebrate right away because I was busy doing the things I’d wish for, for so many birthdays. Thankful for classmates and friends who made sure I was celebrated on and off set 🫶🏾🦂🎂 #Nov16 #ThisIs35 #LookinLike25Tho💁🏾♀️
Thank you @mmlafleur for making me your "Woman of the Week." I enjoyed discussing my work in inclusion at Google and also playing dress up.💃🏾 #LinkInBio #WomanOfTheWeek
Thank you @forbes for the honor of being on the @forbesunder30 Education list. I love my job because I get the chance to pay forward the opportunity to work for Google to underrepresented students and it feels amazing to be recognized for it. Thanks also to everyone who nominated me. #ForbesUnder30
#LinkInBio ⬅️ #Pressed to be able to say that! I'm a month late (#grindin), but thank you @dartmouthalumni for the feature. When I made the choice to be the first in my family to go to an Ivy League school, I knew Dartmouth would impact me but I didn't think about the impact I could have on it. I feel extremely blessed to have had that experience be part of my journey. It's led me to work that I currently love that is grounded in creating opportunities for my community and that is alumni mag article-worthy! Check me out...#MamaIMadeIt #DartmouthFamous
And HUGE thanks to @ethiopienne for recommending me for the feature. #QueensRecognizeQueens 👑❤ #BlackInTech #TechInclusion #ApplyPressure
