about the film
On her 21st birthday, Mia is drowning under the pressure of her final week in culinary school, tasked with one of the most demanding recipes of her class. But the real battle isn't in the kitchen - it's in her mind. Her eating disorder takes shape as Cat, a cunning and relentless caterpillar only she can see, twisting her thoughts and warping her reality.
​
As the day unfolds, exhaustion and self-doubt cloud her focus. One mistake - small but irreversible - ruins her dish, shattering the illusion of control. Humiliated and desperate, she binges all the food she can see in sight, including the cupcakes in the trash and her ruined dish, turning Cat vicious, preying on her deepest fears.
​
In a nightmarish climax, Mia reaches the breaking point. Cat coils around her heart, consuming what little remains. Her body distorts, her reflection warps, and Cat takes over her body, leaving her empty, but skinny.
directors statement
from writer/director, hannah sperling
At 11, a single scroll on Instagram pulled me into a world of diets, weight loss hacks, and the toxic pursuit of thinness. Growing up in LA, where beauty felt like everything, it wasn’t long before I was starving myself, losing my period, my joy, and nearly my life.
Anorexia isn’t just about weight. It’s a consuming mental illness that isolates, shames, and destroys from the inside out. The media often glamorizes it. My film does the opposite.
Our story follows Mia and her best friend, Cat, a caterpillar who embodies the voice of the disorder: obsessive, deceptive, and relentless. Since the butterfly symbolizes anorexia recovery, Cat takes on the role of the monster here.
This film is about fighting back. It’s honest, relatable, and grounded in my lived experience, a standalone short and proof of concept for a feature. You’re not alone with the monster in your mind. But you can fight it.
eating disorder resources
We have partnered with NEDA and ANAD to ensure Peach Fuzz is presented with the utmost care for those who have struggled with, or are currently struggling with, eating disorders. If you need support, please call:
​
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) – Free Hotline: 1-866-662-1235
Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders (ANAD) – Free Hotline: 1-888-375-7767