Bringing back the beauty of writing and sending letters, Andrea Baek highlights the culture of pen palling in her documentary “Snail Mail,” which was released as part of the San Diego Asian Film Festival in October 2020.

The 6-minute film features pairs of pen pals sharing their experiences, the changes pen palling brought to their relationships and the beauty behind sending letters.

Reel Voices, a documentary filmmaking program under SDAFF, made the film possible for Baek. Throughout the summer of 2020, the 16-year-old high school junior worked hand-in-hand with Reel Voices, who provided mentors and all other resources needed to create her film.

“Even though production and filming did not go as it would have if we were not in a pandemic, I think this created an opportunity for me to have these experiences,” Baek stated.

To Baek, the hardest part about the creation of her film was narrowing down all of her ideas. Her choice was greatly influenced by wanting to create something unique to herself and her own experiences.

“Sending letters has always been something that I enjoy, and it does mean a lot to me,” Baek said. “I wanted to share that with the rest of the world.”

Currently, Baek is interning at Pacific Arts Movement, the organization in charge of SDAFF. As part of their marketing team, Baek hopes to get more knowledge and experience in public relations, which she is looking to pursue in the future.

“We do not really get to see Asian people in film and media,” Baek said. “Being able to do work that highlights these people especially, it really gives them a platform to showcase their art, culture and stories.”

If given the chance to make another film, Baek would like to showcase stories of Asian film in media or immigrant stories like her parents.

“I think it would be cool to share immigrant stories from people who immigrated at different ages from different countries and backgrounds to show the diversity and work people put into moving just to create a better life for themselves,” Baek shared.

With her passion and hardwork, Baek is looking to be a promising young individual. In the future, Baek just hopes to be known as someone who holds human relationships in high regard.

Baek has no plans for anything new at the moment, but is open to the idea of creating a blog in the future.

For now, Andrea Baek’s film “Snail Mail” is available to watch online at Pacific Arts Movement’s Youtube channel.