Filmmaker: Liza Madelup
Runtime: 69 min
Synopsis: Austyn Tester—handsome and 16—feels oppressed by the confines of life in his small hometown in Tennessee. But in the online-streaming world, Austyn is adored by thousands of young girls, all eager for his “likes,” his attention, or just to hear him say their name. For Austyn and many like him, a big enough fan base could mean a ticket out of rural America and into a new life of wealth and fame—quite the undertaking when you’re coming of age.
Austyn is a rising star in the live-broadcast world, a postmillennial digital phenomenon that lets streamers engage with millions of people in a heady mix of fantasy, teenage desire, and (occasionally) genuine real-life positivity—all of this as they search for authenticity and connection. Austyn may be separated from his fans, but the emotions his viewers feel are just as real as anything we feel “IRL.” Jawline delivers us into this burgeoning online world as Austyn is discovered by a manager and sets off on a U.S. tour to build his following and make his dreams come true.
About the Filmmaker
Liza Mandelup (Director) is a film director from New York residing in Los Angeles. She has published two photo books and shown her work in numerous exhibitions. After studying Fine Art at the School of Visual Arts, she began shooting and directing films. Her short-form directorial debut, Twinheads, premiered on Dazed Digital, and since then, she has been a long time collaborator for many online platforms such as Vogue, Nowness, i-D, and Dazed, as well as having directed numerous films for many other premiere editorial platforms. She has directed many commercials working with brands like Adidas, Gap, Chanel, Dove, Aveeno, and Delta Airlines. In 2018, Liza received the prestigious Sundance Documentary Fund grant as well as the SF Film Fund Grant for Jawline, her first feature-length film, which is set to be released in 2019. Liza got her start in the industry working as a casting scout, serving as the main street scout for dozens of campaigns, including Nike, Puma, Adidas, Facebook, Google, and Levi’s. She is currently in production on her second feature film.