Writer, actor and director James Sweeney said the impetus for Straight Up , his debut feature film, came from a sobering epiphany even though the final product is very much an arthouse screwball rom-com.

It started from a feeling of wanting to explore the improbability of finding your soul mate, Sweeney, who is based in Los Angeles, told HuffPost. And the more finicky you are, the lesser the odds.

HuffPost got a sneak peek at Straight Up, which is being shown at Outfest Los Angeles this week following its world premiere at San Franciscos Frameline Film Festival last month, via the exclusive clip above. The scene introduces Todd (played by Sweeney), a neurotic gay man whose attempts at relationships with men leave him feeling unfulfilled.

Todd bonds with Rory (Katie Findlay), an aspiring actress with her own set of insecurities. However, the friendship brings on an identity crisis of sorts as Todd begins to wonder if hes only socially conditioned himself to be gay and can find happiness by dating a woman.