Alexander Lowe '25

If It's Not Love

Harrison has just been accepted into college, and while his family couldn't be happier, he couldn't be more miserable.

"If It’s Not Love" is an absurd dark comedy short centered around Harrison, a recent and angsty high school graduate. At a family gathering held to celebrate his journey to college, he comes at odds with his mother Harriett and the rest of his family. Their enthusiasm, questions, and unprompted advice drown out his voice as he becomes a conversation topic. At his breaking point, Harrison makes an explosive attempt to establish himself and find his own voice—only to discover that he has more in common with the rest of his family than he realized.

Q&A

Fellowship Cohort: Fall 2024

Why did you choose this project? 
I wanted to address some unsolvable questions that had been racking my brain. Expressing my stressors externally has always trivialized my concerns while providing clarity. And so it was that my insecurities regarding how much credit I could take for the person I am today became a ten-minute family dramedy.

How was this fellowship meaningful or impactful to you? 
The Suraj Israni fellowship provides an immense boost to the production value of any recipient's work through access to professional equipment and a sizable budget. This ensures that their portfolio stands out, an immense help for the post-college world. Trusting students with a grant is a crucial component of this, as opportunities to learn budgeting are few and far between, but critically important in the professional world. Finally, the Suraj Israni fellowship as an institution bestows legitimacy on selected filmmakers, inspiring confidence and ambition.

Have you showcased this work in any other ways or places? Do you have any future plans related to this work? 
"If It's Not Love" was selected to compete in the 15th Annual Adam D. Kamil Media Awards, where it was bestowed the Grand Prize. With some tweaking and a brand-new original score, I plan to submit "If It's Not Love" to other festivals in hopes of branching out and making connections.

Alexander Lowe graduated from UC San Diego in 2025 with a Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts: Media. He was a co-Station Manager of Triton Television, UCSD's Student-Run Film Studio, where he developed his cinematic practice with a specialization in cinematography. His work explores the impact of upbringing and environmental factors on identity and values.