Historically, summer is a season of convention. We may expect the same sunny weather, celebratory barbecue, and the (usually male-led) poorly written summer blockbuster. However, throughout media, things are beginning to shift, be it on the screen or in the industry itself. This month’s selection of VOD and web series choices reflects this shift, highlighting those who are, more often than not, left out of the “traditional” narrative.

According to director Jodi Savitz, “Girl on Girl” was inspired by her own personal struggle “as a lesbian with a feminine gender presentation.” Following multiple women over a span of three years, this documentary stresses the importance of visibility both outside of and within the LGTBQ community.

Merete Mueller’s award-winning documentary short, “Dangerous Curves,” is also an intimate portrait of daily life, but instead focuses on one protagonist: plus-size pole dancer Roslyn Mays. Winner of the Port Townsend Film Festival’s Best Short Documentary award, “Dangerous Curves” explores one woman’s journey as she navigates the intersections between image, public exposure and expectation, and self-acceptance.

Our web series picks take more of a comedic approach. After five long years, the Issa Rae-backed web series “Milk + Honey” returns to the digital screen. This star-studded comedic drama follows three young black women as they tackle life, love, and Hollywood. “Lady Parts” explores the inevitable humor that ensures when four thirty-somethings find themselves in various awkward — and, at times, violent — situations.

Here are our VOD and web series picks for July.

VOD

“Girl on Girl” (Documentary) — Directed by Jodi Savitz

“Girl on Girl” follows six women and their day-to-day struggle with feminine lesbian invisibility: Because they are (physically) “indistinguishable from straight women,” they are “rendered invisible to the world and each other.” Savitz explores this phenomenon through home movie footage and interviews with women across the country. Among those featured are a formerly homeless LGBTQ teen, an Air Force veteran, and Lauren Bedford Russell, who was on the third season of Showtime’s “The L Word.” Each respective portrait explores how “coming out on a daily basis is a repetitive act, not a one-time proclamation.”

Released just in time for this year’s New York City Pride weekend, “Girl on Girl” owes a great deal of its unique success to social media. Since the film’s early production stages, its Facebook page has gained a following of over 470,000 fans — 86 percent of whom are women. If this emphasizes anything, it’s that there is truly room — and a demand — for these kinds of stories.

For now, you can check out “Girl on Girl” on Vimeo On-Demand. It will be released on additional streaming platforms in the coming months.

“Dangerous Curves” (Documentary Short) — Written and Directed by Merete Mueller

For one year, Mueller follows Roslyn Mays and her career as a plus-size pole dancer and instructor. The power of “Dangerous Curves” arguably lies in its ability to let its subject simply be. For Mueller, it was important to portray the “moment-by-moment conversation between Roslyn’s physical presence and the world around her,” offering viewers the chance to witness Roslyn herself explore her sexuality and confidence.

Mueller’s work is very intentional in its focus; it does not explicitly address the context and issues that relate to Roslyn and/or the nature of her work. However, the film does have an educational companion for those interested in issues of power, sexuality, and marginalized bodies. For this discussion guide, check out the film’s website.

Watch “Dangerous Curves” on Vimeo.

Web Series

“Milk + Honey” — Created by Dana Gills, Asha Kamali Blankinship, and Jeanette McDuffie; Directed by Jeanette McDuffie

Though “Milk + Honey” launched in 2011, its original release consisted of just two episodes, and, let’s be honest, so much has happened since then. Thus, its “back like we never left” relaunch is fitting and joyfully welcomed. A collaboration of sorts between Issa Rae Productions and Brown Paper Dolls, “Milk + Honey” follows the various trials, tribulations, and triumphs of three young women in Hollywood. In addition to its creators, it features numerous familiar faces, including “Fame” star Debbie Allen.

As co-creator Dana Gills has stressed, Brown Paper Dolls’ ultimate goal is to “create relatable images of people of color, [images that are] real and multidimensional.”

Check out new episodes of “Milk + Honey” every Wednesday on YouTube.

“Lady Parts” — Written and Directed by Wendy Placko

Produced by a female-led crew and a Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Grant, “Lady Parts” was designed with one intention in mind: to create a space in which thirty-something-year-old women can challenge social roles through comedy. Each episode focuses on a different character and addresses a specific social norm or topic. When the gang gets back together to attend the Women’s March, this leads to an interesting discussion regarding the “right way to do feminism.”

Watch the entire “Lady Parts” series on YouTube.