To celebrate the longest-running sapphic streaming platform turning 19, DIVA sat down with Christin Baker and Stacey Lee Powell to find out more about the streamer’s mission
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY TELLO FILMS
For almost two decades, Tello Films has been providing lesbian and sapphic directors and audiences with a safe space to celebrate queer storytelling on screen. Founded in 2007, it is now the longest-running sapphic streaming platform, and yet, not enough people have heard of this vital streamer.
Tello Films has received multiple Emmy nominations and to this day remains independently owned. Oh, and if you love seasonal films, you’ll swoon over its festive offerings like Christmas At The Ranch, Seasons Of Love and A Holiday I Do.
To celebrate this anniversary, I heard from Tello Films’ president and CEO Christin Baker and creative director Stacey Lee Powell. The iconic duo spoke to me about the platform, queer storytelling, their lesbian and sapphic fanbase and their own epic love story (that’s right, they are a certified power couple).
While many DIVA readers already love Tello’s content, how would you pitch the platform to someone discovering it for the first time?
Stacey: We actually had to do this quite a bit recently at Girls Just Wanna Weekend. What worked best? Calling Tello the “Lesbian Netflix”. That immediately clicked.
From there, we tell people we’ve been around for 19 years and that we have the largest collection of lesbian holiday movies anywhere. That longevity, plus the depth of our library, really resonates. People are excited to learn there’s a dedicated streaming home just for queer women’s stories.
Christin, in what ways do you think independent platforms such as Tello are more equipped for serving LGBTQIA+ audiences than their bigger competitors?
Christin: We invest in LGBTQIA+ creators at every level — writers, directors, actors and producers — ensuring that representation exists both on screen and behind the scenes. Unlike bigger competitors that often rely heavily on algorithms and global scalability, we have the flexibility to champion diverse, niche and deeply specific stories that truly reflect the breadth of our community.
Most importantly, our relationship with our audience is rooted in trust and connection. We’re not simply targeting a demographic; we are part of the community we serve, and that proximity allows us to create content that feels personal, resonant and genuinely reflective of LGBTQIA+ lives.
Here at DIVA, we see time and time again the power of a lesbian and sapphic fanbase. It’s an incredibly loyal community. Stacy, what can you tell me about Tello’s relationship with its subscribers?
Stacy: I absolutely agree — the lesbian community is incredibly loyal, and we feel that every day. We regularly receive messages from subscribers telling us how much Tello has meant to them during major life transitions. One woman wrote that while she was searching for her life partner, watching our films made her feel less alone and reminded her that her person was out there. That kind of message stays with you.
Our subscribers reach out often to share what resonates, what moved them, and what they want to see more of. There’s something powerful about knowing that when you press play on Tello, you’re watching a story centred on lesbian lives — no guessing, no subtext, no side characters. Just us.
What are Tello’s plans for the next 20 years?
Christin: We want to continue growing our brand awareness and subscriber base so we can support even more lesbian and sapphic filmmakers. The bigger our platform becomes, the more stories we can help fund, produce and preserve — especially the shows our community truly loves.
We want to be in a position to save series that deserve another season and finance films that might not otherwise get made. Our long-term vision includes building a production studio dedicated to supporting lesbian creators and other underrepresented voices.
Congratulations on your en-gay-gement! What can you tell us about the special day?
Christin: I planned the whole thing. Stacey loves the beach, so I knew that’s where it had to happen. My parents have a little place in Florida, so we went down just before Christmas — and I secretly involved them in everything.
My dad took Stacey out to get her nails done while my mom and I went to the beach. We made a giant heart out of seashells and I wrote “Marry Me” in the sand inside the heart. I wanted it captured, so when Stacey and I went for a walk on the beach later, my mom hid behind a building and then snuck out to film the moment when we reached the shell heart.
It was a very windy day — like, dramatically windy — but we got it all on video. I love that my parents were part of it. That made it even more meaningful.
Stacey was completely shocked. She knew a proposal would happen someday, but not that day. She said “Yes”. It was perfect.
What is it like working together?
Stacey: It’s truly a dream come true. We get to build something meaningful together while also loving each other — that’s pretty special. We’re constantly bouncing ideas off one another. Because this isn’t just our work but our life, creativity doesn’t clock out at 5pm. If I have an idea at 10 at night, Christin is right there to hear it. We set our own schedule, travel is part of what we do, and there’s something exciting about knowing we’re creating side by side every day.
Christin: Stacey officially came on board two years ago, and it’s been incredible. I spent 17 years building Tello on my own, so having a partner in every sense of the word has changed everything. There’s someone to celebrate the wins with — the milestones, the breakthroughs — and someone to lean on when things don’t go as planned. The support, the collaboration, and the love behind the work have made this chapter the most meaningful yet.
Is there anything else you’d like to address that hasn’t been touched on?
Stacey: I feel incredibly honoured to help bring sapphic stories into the world. Especially for women who are coming out later and just want to feel normal, seen, and understood. I know how much that representation matters because I was searching for it myself when I realised I was gay. Finding those stories made me feel less alone. If Tello can be that for someone else — that moment of recognition, that deep exhale of “oh, it’s not just me” — then we’re doing something meaningful.
Find out more at tellofilms.com.
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