For Immediate Release
Nina’s Storey…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2X Grammy & Emmy-Nominee Nina Storey and MaskTogetherAmerica Launch Long COVID Dramady "Strangely Optimistic."
New short film for the 13th Annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge turns a personal health crisis into a powerful call for health equity.
Synopsis:
"Strangely Optimistic" follows aspiring singer-songwriter, "Nina Storey", who is blindsided by debilitating mystery symptoms following a Covid infection early in the Pandemic. Although perpetually gaslit by everyone around her, armed with dark humor, music, her loyal pup, and an alarming amount of pickle juice, she finds a way to keep getting back up.
On April 4th 2026, the poignant and irreverent short film "Strangely Optimistic" makes its digital debut on the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge’s official YouTube and Facebook channels. Written, directed by, and starring two-time GRAMMY and EMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Nina Storey, the film was produced in collaboration with Julie Lam (founder of MaskTogetherAmerica) and a deeply empathetic crew. This inclusive production brought together a diverse team of collaborators—including individuals living with various disabilities—to create a featured entry for the 13th Annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
We made this film to raise awareness of the invisible battle nearly 400 million people are currently facing, living with Long COVID, leaving many feeling like ghosts in their own lives. Emerging in 2020, COVID-19 persists as a global health crisis that targets vital organs—from the brain to the heart to the gut—disrupting every system in the body.* Long COVID is a disability that deserves attention, research, and equity. Our call to action through this film is to shine a light on that darkness with humor and hope, showing that even in our most dire struggles, there is a path toward visibility, change, and healing.
*According to the National Academies, Long COVID, present for at least 3 months, can manifest in more than 200 symptoms and medical conditions, including exacerbation of pre-existing conditions, and conditions affecting multiple organ systems.
A Storey Born of Persistence and Pain: Based on Storey’s harrowing journey with Long COVID since 2020, "Strangely Optimistic" uses the lens of dark comedy to explore the isolation and "under the radar" struggles of those living with the long-term effects of the virus. After years of social withdrawal and a forced hiatus from most performing, Storey is using this platform to redefine Long COVID as a critical health equity and disability issue.
"Long COVID has been an invisible battle for millions, often leaving many feeling isolated and hopeless," says Nina Storey. "Through this film, we want to shine a light on that darkness with humor and hope, showing that even in our most dire struggles, there is a path toward visibility, change, and healing.I also believe that many people facing chronic illness develop a sharp wit and enduring sense of humor to deal with the dynamic elements of their illness.”
The Reality of the Five-Day Sprint: The production was a grueling five-day sprint (March 24–29, 2026), mirroring the high-stakes requirements of the challenge. For Storey and Lam, both of whom live with Long COVID, the intensive deadline was more than a creative hurdle—it was a physical one. The demands of the shoot triggered significant symptom flare-ups for both creators, illustrating the "push-crash" cycle that defines the Long Hauler experience.
"The flare-ups we experienced are a direct reflection of what millions face every day," says Storey. "We pushed ourselves to the limit because we want people to feel the irony of being 'Strangely Optimistic' while battling a multisystemic crisis."
About Nina Storey:
Nina Storey is a celebrated singer, songwriter, and performer whose soulful voice has earned her two GRAMMY nominations and an EMMY nomination. She has also toured both nationally and internationally, making music for film, television, and commercials. She’s also been writing comedy for several years, including her comedy essay blog, by the same name, Strangely Optimistic, which has documented her glorious and disastrous experiences living with LC. She attributes her unwavering sense of humor to getting her through some of her most painful moments over the past few years.
Since contracting COVID-19 in 2020, she has become a vocal advocate for the Long COVID community. Including one of her comedic essays, “The Smell Of Farts And Desperation,” which was published in the first book released featuring stories from Long Haulers, The Long Covid Reader, in 2023.
About Julie Lam:
Julie Lam, a Long Hauler, editor, and NIH RECOVER representative, co-produced the project to align with MaskTogetherAmerica’s mission. "Patients are currently devastated by the lack of access to diagnosis and treatment," says Lam, who stayed up for three nights to edit the film. "By submitting to this challenge, we are demanding that the world see us."
How to Support the Awareness Campaign:
From April 4–13, the public can support the film’s mission by watching, liking, and commenting on the official Easterseals YouTube and Facebook posts. These engagement metrics directly contribute to the "Best Awareness Campaign" award, elevating the conversation around Long COVID on a global stage.
See the film on StrangelyOptimistic.com
Nina Storey and Julie Lam are available for press and interviews
For Press Inquiries Contact: nathalie@backlightpr.com
Nina Storey: theninastorey@gmail.com
Julie Lam, Founder, MaskTogetherAmerica.org, NIH RECOVER Long COVID Patient Representative:
Ph: 917-499-1000