Actor Matthew August Jeffers offers new take in the LGBTQ+ and LP community via his first feature “UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS,” as star and debuting producer 

By Oliver Carnay

Outfest US Centerpiece feature UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS, a twisted queer take on the buddy road-trip genre, and one of the few feature narrative films to feature a little person (LP) in a leading role. Directed by acclaimed U.S. based, Colombian filmmaker and commercial director Juan Felipe Zuleta. 

This surreal sci-fi tinged comedy follows a curmudgeonly gay dwarf (Matthew August Jeffers) and his free-spirited neighbor (Sarah Hay) who hit the road in search of an alien abduction on a trip that will alter their relationship—and their sense of reality—forever. Along the way, their friendship will be tested by shroom-addled survivalists, overzealous cosplayers, and the painful realization that we possibly may be alone in the universe. 

UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS features multi-layered performances from leads Matthew August Jeffers and Golden Globe-nominee Sarah Hay (Flesh & Bone). Additional cast include Roberta Colindrez (Vida, upcoming A League of Their Own), and Hamish Allan-Headley (Mayor of Kingstown).

Directed by NYC-based Colombian filmmaker & commercial director Juan Felipe Zuleta and written masterfully by Leland Frankel (longtime creative collaborators), UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS marks their feature film debut, and is an important milestone in the history of cinematic representation for LP.

Lead actor Jeffers is a 30-year-old little person (LP) who was born with a form of dwarfism so rare that it was initially only referred to as “Matthew’s Disease.” UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS is his feature film debut, following an acclaimed theatre career in New York City, and TV work including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and New Amsterdam.

“Aside from UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS, every part I have played on stage and screen was written for a person of average height,” says Jeffers. “I’ve always had to go into the audition room and change a director’s mind about how they see a role. But this project marks a change for me and for all of us in the LP community. So I’m here with my shovel to try and pave the way for others as much as I can.” 

Juan Felipe Zuleta is a Colombian film-maker based in New York City. Starting his career at NYU, he has directed content for brands like Comcast, Budweiser, and Major League Baseball, as well as music videos for top artists like multi-platinum star Russ. His creative honors include support from the Richard Vague Production Fund, a Cannes Silver Lion, and being shortlisted as a Cannes Young Director. Juan’s upcoming second feature film was accepted into the Frontières International Co-Production Market.

Says director Zuleta, “Our film is a platonic love story about finding connection in a divided world that reflects my own experiences adapting to a new country. If UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS can show even one restless soul how much they matter, then all of our work and sacrifice was absolutely worth it.”

Featuring songs by queer iconic musician Perfume Genius and a standout analog synthesizer soundtrack by Sebastian Zuleta, the film is a bracingly original, character-driven story of misfits fighting to find their place in the world.

After world premiering at 2022 Inside Out, and an award-winning screening at Frameline, UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS will screen at Outfest as the U.S. Centerpiece film.

Cast members include Sarah Hay (Golden Globe nominee, Flesh & Bone), Matthew August Jeffers (New Amsterdam, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Hamish Allan-Headley (Mayor of Kingstown), Roberta Colindrez (Vida, The Deuce, A League of Their Own), Tara Pacheco, Elliot Frances Flynn (Shoplifters of the World) and Kerry Flanagan.
 
“UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS” will be Outfest’s U.S. Centerpiece film, screening at the Directors Guild of America on July 20 at 7 p.m. The film is also available to stream online starting from July 21 through 23.  For tickets, please go to www.outfestla.org