At this year’s CPH:DOX Rough Cut presentations, Czech filmmaker Barbora Chalupová and producer Pavla Klimešová unveiled their latest documentary, Virtual Girlfriends, a compelling exploration of online intimacy and the monetisation of virtual relationships. The project presentation, held at the Danish Film Institute’s Cinematheque and moderated by Dani Carlaw, Head of Unscripted at Screen Scotland, delves into the world of OnlyFans, offering “a deep dive into the world of virtual relationships.”
Chalupová’s film examines how online platforms have reshaped human relationships, offering a perceived sense of safety and control over intimacy. In this virtual economy, individuals sell the illusion of companionship and intimacy, often under the guise of empowerment. The documentary follows three female creators over the course of a year, offering an unfiltered look at their experiences navigating this new digital reality.
At the centre of Virtual Girlfriends is a young mother who embarks on a career with OnlyFans after attending a workshop on how to monetise online presence. Initially concealing her identity, she gradually decides to reveal herself, challenging the boundaries between personal and professional life. Her journey is interwoven with the narrative of David, her most devoted customer, who believes he shares a genuine emotional connection with her. The documentary also follows two other creators—one struggling with the emotional toll of constant availability and the other facing the harsh reality of financial instability after failing to succeed on the platform.
Chalupová, known for her 2020 documentary Caught in the Net, which tackled online child exploitation and became the most-watched documentary in Czech cinemas with over 570,000 admissions, sees this film as an exploration of a drastically evolved internet landscape. “Five years ago, our focus was on predators exploiting underage girls. Now, we see women recognising the financial potential of their bodies and taking control,” she explained.
Producer Pavla Klimešová, who has collaborated with Chalupová on three of her previous films, emphasised that the project is not intended as a sensationalist exposé. “Barbora is a deeply sensitive director, and our aim is to present a nuanced, observational exploration of this world,” she said. The team has spent over a year documenting the lives of their protagonists, capturing an intimate and evolving social phenomenon.
The documentary employs an observational filmmaking style, featuring meticulously composed frames that create a claustrophobic feel, as much of the action unfolds in bedrooms and personal spaces. This visual approach underscores the paradox of virtual intimacy: while these creators maintain relationships with countless subscribers, they often remain physically isolated.
Chalupová was drawn to OnlyFans during its surge in popularity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. To better understand the platform’s appeal, she conducted anonymous research on Reddit, questioning why users choose to pay for content they could access freely. The most common response? “They were tired of rejection and didn’t want to feel the pressure of being interesting in real-life relationships. They wanted to buy unconditional love,” she revealed.
In addition to the film itself, the team has planned to attach a social impact campaign to spark discussions on love, relationships, and the commodification of intimacy in the digital age. They are currently seeking presales, distribution partners, sales agents, and festival premieres, with the film expected to be completed by November 2025.
Virtual Girlfriends is a Bulgarian-Czech-Slovak co-production led by Helium Film in collaboration with Super Film and Soul Food. The feature-length doc has secured funding from multiple sources, including the Czech Film Fund, VOYO, the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival’s Barrandov Studio Award, the Bulgarian Audiovisual Fund, and the Slovak Audiovisual Fund.
All in all, the project seeks to offer a raw, thought-provoking perspective on this rapidly evolving digital phenomenon, prompting audiences to reflect on the nature of modern relationships and the price people are willing to pay for connection.
