Dirty Towel Movie
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Dirty Towel Movie •
In the weeks leading up to high school graduation, three generations of women find themselves at a crossroads, where inherited shame and the fear of letting go collide—reshaping what it means to be a daughter, a mother, and a woman choosing herself.
LOG LINE
THE CHARACTERS
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Charlie
Charlie is a bright-minded, endearing, and sometimes awkward teenager. Like most people her age, Charlie is still growing into herself and often struggles to balance her own opinions with the expectations of others. This is deepened by the loving, but often co-dependent relationship between Charlie and her single mother Elizabeth...
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Elizabeth
Elizabeth is Charlie’s formidable single mother. Strong-willed, protective, and often guarded, she carries deep insecurities about getting pregnant at 18 and often struggles to let others in. The harsh judgment and abandonment she’s endured has caused Elizabeth to unknowingly project her own fears and shame onto Charlie all in the name of protection…
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Evelyn
Evelyn is Elizabeth’s fiercely opinionated and deeply traditional mother. Raised by critical parents who equated love with perfection, Evelyn grew up believing that a woman’s worth depended on adhering to strict ideals of behavior, and she devoted herself to shaping Elizabeth in that same way. So, when Elizabeth became pregnant in high school…
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Jack
Jack is the epitome of golden retriever energy. Outgoing and charismatic, he is the guy that everyone likes. A longtime friend and classmate of Charlie’s, he’s harbored a secret crush on her for years, never believing he had a chance until now. During their first time, Jack is attentive and kind, ensuring Charlie feels safe and respected…
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Bex
Bex is Charlie’s confident, theater-loving, unapologetically herself best friend, and has been since childhood. In contrast to Charlie’s more guarded upbringing, Bex was raised in an open, affirming household that fully embraced her when she came out as gay. Bex is always pushing Charlie to chase what she wants, offering steady encouragement and fierce loyalty…
Look Book
MEET THE TEAM
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Callie Carpinteri
Director/Writer
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Emma Parks
Writer/Producer
Watch the Dirty Towel short here:
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“Saw this genuine, heartfelt, and extremely well done film at Tribeca. Such an honest exploration of the conflicting feelings surrounding having sex for the first time. Wonderful, authentic performances by all the actors. An important film at a time when women’s choices are under attack in so many arenas. Bravo!”
— Letterboxd Review
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“...Callie Carpinteri and Emma Parks’ Tribeca short film, Dirty Towel, is undoubtedly an epic coming-of-age story that people will likely reference in years to come when discussing the evolution of the genre.”
— Charnice Horne, The Cinema Spot
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“Director Callie Carpinteri has put together a incredible short that keeps audiences laughing without ever losing its focus. Excellent visual gags and one liners fill Dirty Towel. It is similar to the raunchy sex comedies of years passed – just without the blatant misogyny and superfluous nudity.”
— Nathaniel Muir, AIPT Comics
In 2024 the Dirty Towel short film had its World Premiere at the Tribeca Festival. It then went on to screen at over 25 festivals worldwide, win multiple awards, and has since surpassed 1.2 million views on YouTube following its release. Film Shortage even named it a Top 10 Short of 2025.
Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response from audiences and festivals, Callie Carpinteri and Emma Parks have spent the last few years developing the feature-length version: a female-led story following three generations of women as they confront inherited shame and the courage it takes to finally choose themselves. At a time when many feel entitled to dictate what people do with their bodies and choices, Dirty Towel is their effort to challenge shame culture and explore how these pressures shape women’s identities, relationships, and lives across generations.
Set against the backdrop of Charlie's high school graduation, this expansion includes delving into Elizabeth's own adolescent experiences and how they have shaped her views on sex and self-worth. Additionally, the feature highlights the intricate relationship dynamics between mothers and daughters. The feature also introduces another key character, Charlie's grandmother Evelyn.
The project is currently in it’s fundraising stage with a majority of funding already set in place. Should you or anyone you know be interested in supporting the project in any way please reach out to Callie Carpinteri (Calliecarp1@gamil.com) and Emma Parks (emmaLayneparks@gmail.com).
