Mardi Gras Film Festival 2026

Opening Night Gala

Jimpa

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Sophie Hyde | Australia, Netherlands, Finland | English | 113 mins | Classification to Come

Award-winning actors Olivia Colman and John Lithgow star in this uplifting multi-generational story from acclaimed writer-director Sophie Hyde. Filmmaker Hannah travels to Amsterdam with her non-binary teen, Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde). Reconnecting with her HIV+ academic gay father, Jim – affectionately known as “Jimpa” – she hopes to discuss plans to tell his story on screen. But when fiercely independent Jimpa’s health begins to decline, Hannah must negotiate what happens next as she confronts her past and the stories she’s told about her family.

Inspired by Hyde’s relationship with her own late gay father and non-binary child, the film grew from the conversations she imagined they would have had about queer identity. Rich in pathos, humour and joy, Jimpa is a celebration of LGBTIQ+ culture and queer family, offering a nuanced reflection on how social expectations and our understanding of family have evolved across generations.

Filmmaker Sophie Hyde and actor Aud Mason-Hyde was in attendance for Q&A.

Closing Night

She’s the He

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Siobhan McCarthy | USA | English | 81 mins | Unclassified 15+

Tired of everyone assuming they’re gay, Alex (Nico Carney) convinces best friend Ethan (Misha Osherovich, Freaky) they should come out as trans women. Alex sees it as an excuse to get closer to his crush, Sasha (Malia Pyles, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin). But when Ethan steps out as a woman for the first time and experiences warmth and acceptance, she realises she actually is trans. After their scheme is inevitably exposed, Ethan must work to rebuild everyone’s trust as she prepares to come out – for real this time.

Full of over-the-top humour and genuine heart, She’s the He is a bold reinvention of the high school teen comedy, joyfully reframed through a much-needed queer and trans lens. Created by a predominantly trans, non-binary, and queer team, the film hilariously skewers anti-trans panic around locker rooms with rapid-fire punchlines, playful indie flourishes, and a standout performance from Osherovich.

Filmmaker Siobhan McCarthy was in attendance for Q&A.

Special Presentation

Pillion

Directed by Harry Lighton | UK | English | 106 mins | Classified MA

Colin (Harry Melling, The Queen’s Gambit) is a directionless wallflower letting life pass him by. That is until Ray (Alexander Skarsgård, Big Little Lies), the impossibly handsome leader of a motorbike club, takes him on as his submissive. Uprooted from his dreary suburban life, Colin’s introduced to a community of kinky, queer bikers and uninhibited BDSM sex. But as Colin steps deeper into Ray’s world of rules and mysteries, he begins to question whether the life of a 24/7 submissive is for him. Has he found his calling, or simply swapped one form of suffocation for another?

Winner of the Un Certain Regard for Best Screenplay at Cannes, Harry Lighton’s (Wren Boys, QSFF18) feature debut was adapted from Adam Mars-Jones’ critically acclaimed novel Box Hill. Alongside mesmerising performances from both leads, Lesley Sharp (The Full Monty) is a stand-out as Colin’s no-nonsense mum, while Jake Shears (The Scissor Sisters) makes his screen debut as a cheeky sub.

The Chronology of Water

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Kristen Stewart | USA, France, Latvia | English | 128 mins | Unclassified 18+

Kristen Stewart makes her directorial debut in this visceral adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s best-selling memoir. Lidia (Imogen Poots) only feels at home in the water. Brought up in an environment torn apart by alcohol and violence, swimming offers a brief respite from the father who sexually abused her and her sister (Thora Birch). But away from the pool she seems destined for self-destruction. Drinking, drugs and sex do little to numb her trauma. But a creative writing class with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest author Ken Kesey (Jim Belushi) offers unexpected freedom. Writing allows her to find her voice and reclaim her story.

Shot on 16mm, the way Stewart stitches together breathtaking and haunting images mirrors the ephemeral nature of memory. Drawing comparisons to the work of Jean-Luc Godard, Terrence Malick and Lynne Ramsay, she has nonetheless crafted something original and her own. Like Lidia, she’s found her voice.

Presented with First Films.

Love Me Tender

Australian Premiere

Directed by Anna Cazenave Cambet | France | French with English Subtitles | 133 mins | Unclassified 15+

Lawyer turned writer Clémence (Vicky Krieps, Phantom Thread) is a woman who refuses to compromise. Amicably separated from her lawyer husband Laurent (Antoine Reinartz, Anatomy of a Fall), they share custody of their 8 year-old son, Paul. Carving out a bohemian life for herself in the Parisian queer scene, Clémence’s sex life is a fixture of her autofiction. But when she rebuffs Laurent’s advances and reveals she’s started dating women, her whole life is turned upside down. Filing for divorce and sole custody of Paul, he claims her lifestyle makes her a danger to their son, weaponising the legal system and her writing against her.

Adapted from Constance Debré’s bestseller, this complex drama is deeply affecting and emotionally raw. Krieps is utterly magnetic, giving a tour de force performance as a woman whose unapologetic independence clashes with homophobic and misogynistic bureaucracy.

Night Stage 

Australian Premiere

Directed by Filipe Matzembacher, Marcio Reolon | Brazil | Portuguese with English Subtitles | 119 mins | Unclassified 18+

Matias is a confident, openly gay theatre actor in a heated rivalry with his straight co-star Fabio, as both vie for a lead in a major TV show. Matias starts seeing discreet thirtysomething Rafael, and their animalistic chemistry reveals a shared love for exhibitionism. When Matias discovers Rafael is launching a campaign for mayor, and TV producers warn him that being out could limit his career, both are under pressure to keep their burgeoning relationship a secret. But by the cover of night they can’t help engaging in increasingly more risky behaviour, as they surrender to a world of desire and danger.

Taking inspiration from Brian De Palma, Alfred Hitchcock and Paul Verhoeven, filmmakers Marcio Reolon and Filipe Matzembacher (Hard Paint, MGFF19) have created a bold, playful and unapologetically queer erotic thriller that embraces voyeurism, seduction and spectacle. In the worlds of politics and fame, authenticity has a price.

A Deeper Love: The Story of Miss Peppermint

Australian Premiere

Directed by Oriel Pe’er | USA | English | 86 mins | Unclassified 15+

This intimate documentary charts the rise of trailblazing performer and trans icon Miss Peppermint. Filmed over a decade, it traces Peppermint’s journey from barely scraping by to becoming an international superstar and the first openly trans contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race. As a Black trans woman in the public eye, she must navigate the increased scrutiny that comes with her broadening opportunities, amidst the increasingly volatile landscape for trans people during Trump’s first term.

Highlighting the importance of her chosen family, it’s moments of levity and camaraderie with her trans sisters – which include Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Pose) – that are the heart of Peppermint’s incredible story of resilience and joy. Offering unprecedented access, A Deeper Love reveals a life lived in full colour, and the radical freedom that comes from being seen fully and unapologetically.

Special Events

Love and Other Catastrophes

30th Anniversary

Directed by Emma-Kate Croghan | Australia | English | 81 mins | Classified M

A 30th anniversary screening of Emma-Kate Croghan’s recently remastered classic. Mia (Frances O’Connor, Mansfield Park), an ambitious film studies student, is entangled in a web of lies as she tries to avoid her girlfriend Danni (Radha Mitchell, High Art) moving in. Mia’s housemate Alice is a frustrated perfectionist, four years late with her thesis with rigorous relationship criteria. Their search for love and a new housemate transcends the boundaries of the university, as events begin to unscramble in unexpected ways.

Screened with short film Bury Your Gays 

The Naked Civil Servant

50th Anniversary

Directed by Jack Gold | UK | English | 77 mins | Classified M

Marking its 50th anniversary, John Hurt stars as Quentin Crisp, who made the bold decision to be openly gay in highly conservative 1930s and ‘40s England. Dying his hair red and adopting a flamboyant persona destined to attract attention, he wore his homosexuality as a badge of honour. But when he’s confronted with criminal charges, is he willing to defend his lifestyle in court? A landmark production, it was one of the first mainstream sympathetic gay portrayals after homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967.

Screened with short film A Friend of Dorothy

High Art

4K Restoration

Directed by Lisa Cholodenko | USA | English | 101 mins | Classified MA

Gloriously restored in 4K, Lisa Cholodenko’s (The Kids Are All Right) award-winning debut is a landmark of ‘90s indie cinema and a modern queer classic. When aspiring magazine editor Syd (Radha Mitchell, Love and Other Catastrophes) has a chance encounter with her reclusive neighbour, once-famous photographer Lucy Berliner (Brat Pack icon Ally Sheedy), both women see the opportunity to advance their careers. Cholodenko’s meditation on art, ambition and sapphic love feels as fresh now as it did in 1998.

Castration Movie Anthology ii. The Best of Both Worlds

Australian Premiere

Directed by Louise Weard | Canada | English | 300 mins | Unclassified 18+

Castration Movie, from underground filmmaker Louise Weard, is a labyrinthine post-modern trans epic that amassed a cult following. This standalone second part is darker than its predecessor, shifting focus to Circle (Alex Walton) as she tries to leave a terminally online trans separatist cult in New York, against the hellish backdrop of Trump’s America. Shot on handheld camcorder with a five hour runtime, don’t miss this rare chance to see it on the big screen and be immersed in its raw, partially-improvised horror.

Filmmaker Louise Weard was in attendance for Q&A. Presented with Pink Flamingo.

Community Events

Rainbow Families: The Mitchells vs. the Machines

Directed by Mike Rianda | USA| English | 114 mins | Classified PG

When creative outsider Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson, Broad City) is accepted into the film school of her dreams, her plans to meet “her people” at college are upended when her nature-loving dad insists on one final family road trip. They’re joined by her wildly positive mum (Maya Rudolph, Bridesmaids), quirky little brother Aaron and delightfully chubby pug Monchi. But the Mitchells’ plans are interrupted when evil A.I. Pal (Olivia Colman, Jimpa) orders people’s beloved electronic devices to take over. A rare animated film with a LGBTIQ+ lead character, this sci-fi action comedy is chaotic fun for the whole rainbow family.

Presented with IVF Australia, Lane Cove Council and Rainbow Families NSW. Part of the Community Program supported by Allianz.

Afternoon Delight: I Was Born This Way

Directed by Daniel Junge, Sam Pollard | USA | English | 100 mins | Unclassified 15+

Afternoon Delight is a movie matinee, afternoon tea and intergenerational social gathering celebrating our older LGBTIQ+ community, friends and allies. Enjoy a screening of the short films Lesbian Custody and You Can Call Me Lou followed by the feature I Was Born This Way, the story of Archbishop Carl Bean’s groundbreaking impact on queer representation. Delicious treats, drag celebrities, networking and access to local health information available after the screening.

Presented with ACON’s The LOVE Project and Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS). Part of the Community Program supported by Allianz. Also featured in Queer Doc Strand.

Queer Asia

3670

Australian Premiere

Directed by PARK Joon-ho | South Korea | Korean with English Subtitles | 124 mins | Unclassified 15+

Cheol-jun is a young gay North Korean defector trying to build a new life in Seoul, navigating the fragile intersections between defector communities and the city’s underground gay scene, while concealing his identity from both. Longing to belong and make sense of this new life, he discovers how quickly trust and connection can fracture when fear and jealousy surface. Rarely explored on screen, 3670 offers a sensitive and human portrait of two marginalised worlds, capturing the quiet courage it takes to live truthfully.

Between Dreams and Hope (میان رویا و امید)

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Farnoosh Samadi | Iran | Persian with English Subtitles | 106 mins | Unclassified 15+

Visionary filmmaker Farnoosh Samadi drew on the Iranian LGBTIQ+ community’s real experiences to craft this tense yet poignant thriller. Azad and his partner Nora can’t get married until Azad is legally recognised as a man. Azad can’t access gender affirming care without his estranged father’s permission, so they must travel to his remote family village to convince his father to sign the documents. But when Azad suddenly goes missing, Nora must navigate bureaucracy within a community that would rather he not be found.

Screened with short film Witness 

Girlfriends (女孩不平凡)

Australian Premiere

Directed by Tracy CHOI | Macao, Taiwan, Hong Kong | Cantonese and Mandarin with English Subtitles | 100 mins | Unclassified 15+

Living in Hong Kong, Macau filmmaker Lok is at a crossroads in her life as her girlfriend pushes her to settle down. Torn between living an ordinary life and an extraordinary one, she reflects on who she was and wants to be. Poetically tracing the emotional journey from adolescence to adulthood, Girlfriends offers up an artful triptych of love stories in a woman’s life that unfold in reverse chronological order. Together they paint a captivating picture of the ways someone’s past lives and loves influence who they become.

A Good Child (好孩子)

Sydney Premiere

Directed by ONG Kuo Sin | Singapore | English; Mandarin and Hokkien with English Subtitles | 104 mins | Unclassified 18+

When glamorous drag queen Jiahao returns to his family home for his conservative father’s funeral, he discovers his mother has dementia. Stepping in as her carer, Jiahao balances nightly gigs with family responsibility. But when his mother mistakes his drag persona for her daughter, he takes the opportunity to build a new relationship and finally confront buried childhood memories. Inspired by the true story, A Good Child balances humour and heartbreak in a moving exploration of family, identity and unconditional love.

Summer’s Camera (여름의 카메라)

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Divine SUNG | South Korea | Korean with English Subtitles | 82 mins | Unclassified 15+

After the death of her photographer father, Summer stops taking photos – until a crush on school soccer star Yeonwoo compels her to pick up her father’s camera again. But when she develops the film Summer discovers a series of photos of Maru, a man she’s never met before. Tracking him down, he reveals he was her father’s first love, becoming an unexpected queer mentor as they bond through shared grief. This sweet and tender coming-of-age story explores self-discovery through the intersections of the past and present.

Filmmaker Divine SUNG was in attendance for Q&A. Screened with the short film Baba I’m Fine.

Tiger

Australian Premiere

Directed by Anshul CHAUHAN | Japan | Japanese with English Subtitles | 126 mins | Unclassified 18+

Taiga is a gay masseur in Tokyo, navigating a world where desire and visibility are negotiated through the body. Seeking agency beyond fleeting encounters, he sets his sights on entering the gay pornography industry. But when his father’s sudden illness draws him into a bitter family dispute with his sister, Taiga is caught between traditional expectations and the life he has chosen. As pressures mount, he considers a “friendship marriage” as a means of survival – a compromise that forces him to confront the cost of belonging.

A Useful Ghost (ผีใช้ได้ค่ะ)

Directed by Ratchapoom BOONBUNCHACHOKE | Thailand, France, Singapore, Germany | Thai with English Subtitles | 130 mins | Unclassified 18+

When an academic’s vacuum breaks, he enlists the help of a handsome repairman. Unconvinced by the suggestion it’s haunted, they exchange flirty banter as he’s told of Nat (Thai superstar Davika Hoorne), who returned to her grieving husband as a bright red vacuum cleaner made in his family’s factory. A Grand Prix winner at Cannes Critics’ Week, A Useful Ghost blends absurd humour with sharp social critique to explore class, labour and the pressure to be “useful” in a world that treats workers and spirits as disposable.

Presented with Royal Thai Consulate-General Sydney.

Actor Wisarut Homhuan was in attendance for Q&A.

We Are Faheem & Karun

Directed by Onir | India | Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and Malayalam with English Subtitles | 79 mins | Unclassified 15+

Karun, a young security guard from southern India, is posted to a remote village in Kashmir. There he meets Faheem, a Kashmiri student whose quiet warmth disarms him. As an impossible love takes root, they are caught between faith, national borders and the suffocating masculinity of the institutions surrounding them. Acclaimed independent filmmaker Onir presents a defiant queer romance set against the volatile borderlands of Kashmir, co-written by Fawzia Mirza (The Queen of My Dreams, MGFF24).

Filmmaker Onir was in attendance for Q&A. Presented with Trikone Australia.

African Diaspora

Bouchra

Australian Premiere

Directed by Orian Barki, Meriem Bennani | Italy, Morocco, USA | Moroccan with English Subtitles | 82 mins | Unclassified 15+

Bouchra, a 35 year-old queer Moroccan filmmaker in New York, is struggling to decide on her next project. She also happens to be an animated coyote in a world of anthropomorphic animals. Reflecting on how her sexuality has shaped her relationship with her mother, she crafts a fictionalised narrative to explore how it would differ if she’d hidden it. Rendered in striking 3D animation and infused with documentary intimacy, this thoroughly unique debut defies categorisation, using real life phone calls between co-director Bennani and her mother as part of the narrative.

Screens with short film The Eating of an Orange.

Dreamers

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor | UK | English | 78 mins | Unclassified 15+

Isio, who fled homophobia in Nigeria, is detained and placed in an asylum removal centre after living in the UK undocumented for two years. Inside she meets Farah, a pragmatic and charismatic roommate who understands the system’s cruelty all too well. As feelings develop and appeals are repeatedly rejected, the pair must decide whether survival means obedience or rewriting the rules. Inspired by writer-director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor’s own experience, Dreamers is anchored by Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́’s luminous performance.

Screened with short film Shall We Meet Tonight. Presented with Africa Film Fest Australia.

Queer Scream Strand

Drone

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Simon Bouisson | France | French with English Subtitles | 110 mins | Unclassified 15+

Architecture student Émilie has just arrived in Paris. She makes ends meet working as a cam girl, carefully controlling what’s seen. As a flirtation with fellow student Mina begins, she finally starts to feel she’s settling in. Then a mysterious drone begins hovering outside her window. At first, fascination and fear intertwine. As its gaze seeps into her work, relationship and sense of self, the balance of power shifts. Drone is a taut techno-thriller exploring desire, surveillance and control in a world saturated with cameras.

Queens of the Dead

Directed by Tina Romero | USA | English | 99 mins | Unclassified 15+

When a zombie apocalypse breaks out during a warehouse party, an eclectic group of drag queens and club kids must put aside their differences to fight against the brain-thirsty undead. Starring a who’s who of queer scene-stealers – Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), Tomás Matos (Fire Island), Nina West (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Jack Haven (I Saw the TV Glow), Dominique Jackson (Pose) and Margaret Cho – Tina Romero puts her own sparkly twist on the genre her father George A. Romero popularised, in this laugh-out-loud comedy.

Rains Over Babel (Llueve sobre Babel)

Australian Premiere

Directed by Gala del Sol | Colombia, USA, Spain | Spanish with English Subtitles | 113 mins | Unclassified 15+

Death presides over the mythical bar Babel, a nocturnal crossroads where souls gamble their lives in pursuit of escape, redemption or one last chance at love. Across a single electric night, outsiders converge: a man racing to reclaim his decomposing body, a preacher’s son on the brink of his drag debut, lovers fighting to save their families and wanderers reckoning with unfinished pasts. As their paths intertwine, memory, faith and consequence collide. A camp, queer reframing of Dante’s Inferno as a neon-drenched fantasy.

The Serpent’s Skin

Directed by Alice Maio Mackay | Australia | English | 83 mins | Unclassified 15+

After escaping her transphobic hometown, twentysomething Anna arrives in the city determined to start over. She soon falls for Gen, a goth tattoo artist, and the pair discover they share supernatural abilities. When a tattoo session with Anna’s neighbour Danny goes wrong, a demonic force is unleashed. As it begins feeding on those around them, Anna and Gen must harness their powers to protect their found family. Witchy, ferocious and defiantly trans, The Serpent’s Skin fuses occult horror with coming-of-age vulnerability.

Screens with the short film Hot Young Geek Seeks Blood-Sucking Freak.

Panorama

The Best Friend (O Melhor Amigo)

Australian Premiere

Directed by Allan Deberton | Brazil | Portuguese with English Subtitles | 94 mins | Unclassified 15+

After his boyfriend proposes in an elaborate public display, Lucas escapes to a Brazilian beach resort. There he’s reunited with straight lothario Felipe, a former university crush. As Lucas surrenders himself to the colourful nightlife, old desires are reawakened when he sees Felipe working as a go-go boy. Is he as straight as Lucas thought? Punctuated with bright and catchy ‘80s-style tunes, and an appearance from Brazilian pop icon Gretchen, this frothy, feel-good musical rom-com will have you dancing in your seat.

Drunken Noodles

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Lucio Castro | USA, Argentina | English; Spanish with English Subtitles | 82 mins | Unclassified 18+

Lucio Castro (End of the Century, MGFF20) returns with a very different sensuous queer drama. Young art student Adnan arrives in New York to flat-sit and intern at a gallery. A brazen cruising encounter with a delivery rider gives way to a shared appreciation of art and drunken noodles. Drifting between city streets, apartments, forest paths and late-night encounters, fleeting erotic and emotional connections begin to blur time itself. Shot with a languid, summery glow, it captures the quiet power of seeing – and being seen.

Screens with short film Tiger Lily Mountain Pass.

The Last First Time (El fin de las primeras veces)

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Rafael Ruiz Espejo | Mexico | Spanish with English Subtitles | 76 mins | Unclassified 18+

Eighteen year-old Eduardo travels from his small hometown to Guadalajara to sit a university entrance exam, briefly escaping the watchful control of his family. In the unfamiliar city he meets Mario, a confident local who draws him into a world of intimacy, freedom and emotional risk. Over a single day and night, tentative curiosity gives way to exhilaration as past fears and future possibilities blur. Erotically charged and rich with unspoken longing, The Last First Time is a raw portrait of a young man on the brink of becoming.

Screens with short film Invincible Summer.

Perro Perro

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Marco Berger | Argentina | Spanish with English Subtitles | 101 mins | Unclassified 18+

Marco Berger (The Astronaut Lovers, QSFF24) returns with a gently absurd, homoerotic fable where “man’s best friend” is literally a man. In an allegorical world where “dogs” are represented by naked men, Juan finds a stray on the forest’s edge. On holidays with friends, Juan brings him back to their cabin to feed, bathe and shower with affection. A simple act of compassion slowly deepens into something far more intimate, as an unspoken bond forms between the pair. A sweetly surreal exploration of intimacy, loneliness and desire.

Plainclothes

Directed by Carmen Emmi | USA | English | 95 mins | Unclassified 15+

Back by popular demand after a sold out QSFF25 Opening Night, Russell Tovey (Looking) and Tom Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) star in this tense romantic thriller. In 1990s New York, closeted undercover cop Lucas is tasked with seducing men in public bathrooms to arrest them. But when sparks fly between him and one of his targets, he can’t go through with it. As they meet for further trysts his feelings clash with growing paranoia, as Lucas is torn between duty and finally living his truth.

Presented with Allianz.

Queen of Coal (Miss Carbón)

Australian Premiere

Directed by Agustina Macri | Spain, Argentina | Spanish with English Subtitles | 94 mins | Unclassified 15+

Disowned by her family, homeless trans teen Carlita (Lux Pascal) is taken in by local trans sex workers. Despite sexism forbidding women from entering Patagonian coal mines, she hides her identity to secure a mining job. Though she proves herself as a good worker, Carlita is blindsided when her long fight for legal gender recognition sees her dismissed, igniting a fire that could lead to revolution. A true story of resilience and passion, Carlita and her trans friend’s concurrent fight for rights is the beating heart of this rousing biopic.

Thesis on a Domestication (Tesis sobre una domesticación)

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Javier Van de Couter | Argentina, Mexico | Spanish with English Subtitles | 113 mins | Unclassified 18+

A famous trans theatre actress known for her wild partying and sexual appetite falls for a bisexual lawyer (Alfonso Herrera, Sense8), who matches her freak. From the outside, they fit the heteronormative ideal, but behind closed doors it’s non-monogamy, sex clubs and bondage. But when they start the process of adopting a child, is it possible to maintain their private sexual freedom without jeopardising their family? A provocative erotic melodrama about the pressure on LGBTIQ+ people to meet societal expectations to be accepted.

Out in Europe

Amantes

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Caroline Fournier | France | French with English Subtitles | 106 mins | Unclassified 15+

An interconnected group of lesbians navigate their desires and fears in Paris, in this charming French answer to The L Word. Musician Nour falls head over heels for Camille, who prefers to take things slow. Insecure Laura upends her already delicate throuple when she suggests having a child. Meanwhile, respected therapist Gabrielle must navigate a patient confessing feelings for her. Produced by an exclusively women team, Amantes celebrates the romantic lives of unapologetically complex lesbians with heart and humour.

Bearcave (Αρκουδοτρύπα)

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Krysianna Papadakis, Stergios Dinopoulos | UK, Greece | Greek with English Subtitles | 127 mins | Unclassified 15+

Fresh off its premiere at Venice, this poetic, genre-blending romantic odyssey is set against the stunning mountains of rural Greece. Best friend Argyro, a down-to-earth farmer, and Anneta, a local manicurist, live in the remote village of Tirna. When Anneta reveals she’s pregnant and expected to leave town to live with her dull cop fiancé, Argyro challenges Anneta to embark on one final adventure to find the mystical Bearcave. But their impending separation will spark a metamorphosis for both young women as they yearn to be reunited.

Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day (Lijepa večer, lijep dan)

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Ivona Juka | Croatia, Poland, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus| Croatian with English Subtitles | 137 mins | Unclassified 18+

Once inseparable friends as resistance fighters in World War II, Lovro, Nenad, Stevan and Ivan reunite years later as celebrated filmmakers in 1950s communist Yugoslavia. As their success grows, so does suspicion around their sexuality. When a loyal party functionary is assigned to monitor them, private lives become battlegrounds and creative expression an act of resistance. Selected as Croatia’s submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature, Ivona Juka crafts a sweeping historical drama confronting the harrowing cost of artistic freedom under repression.

Departures

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Lloyd Eyre-Morgan, Neil Ely | UK | English | 82 mins | Unclassified 18+

After a break-up, Benji has fallen into a self-sabotaging cycle of excess alcohol and empty hook-ups. He first met macho personal trainer Jake at an airport when their flight to Amsterdam was delayed, and they had instant chemistry. But any trysts were limited to scheduled weekend trips so closeted Jake could avoid being seen with Benji, let alone admit feelings beyond drunken shags. But can Benji really move on? This darkly funny, emotionally charged film finds humour, love and even hope in life’s darkest moments.

Screens with short film Sleazy Tiger.  Presented with Harbour City Bears.

Four Mothers

Directed by Darren Thornton | Ireland, UK | English | 89 mins | Classified MA

Gay novelist Edward is on the brink of a big break when his mother Alma has a stroke, and he returns to Dublin to care for her. Commiserating with his full-time carer friends, he’s aghast when they dump him with their own opinionated mothers while they escape to Spain for Pride. Juggling the demands of four formidable women and an approaching book tour, Edward must confront what independence really means. Darren Thornton’s (A Date for Mad Mary, MGFF17) warm, sharply observed comedy is about the care we give and struggle to accept.

Screens with short film A Friend of Dorothy. Presented with Sydney Queer Irish.

Girl for a Day (Un jour fille)

Australian Premiere

Directed by Jean-Claude Monod | France | French with English Subtitles | 93 mins | Unclassified 15+

In 18th century France, Anne was born intersex and raised as a girl at the advice of a priest. When she confesses an attraction to women he changes his mind, as only men love women. Fleeing her town to start a new life, Anne finds love with Mathilde and they marry. But when her intersex identity is exposed she’s subjected to a brutal judicial system determined to define, categorise and control her body and desires. Girl for a Day transforms historical records into a quietly devastating meditation on identity and bodily autonomy.

Presented with InterAction.

If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart into Your Mouth and Smile (Wenn du Angst hast nimmst du dein Herz in den Mund und lächelst)

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Marie Luise Lehner | Austria | German and German Sign Language with English Subtitles | 87 mins | Unclassified 15+

This Teddy Jury Prize winner brilliantly captures those nascent years of questioning identity. 12 year-old Anna and her Deaf mum live in cramped public housing. When she starts secondary school they can’t afford the clothes others wear. But she finds an ally in Mara, whose trans father always has her back. Surrounded by quietly accepted queer characters, there’s no rush for Anna to grow up or make decisions. This is a rallying cry for the outsiders who don’t fit neatly into any box, imagining a future where no one has to.

Screens with short film Dragon’s Breath.

The Little Sister (La petite dernière)

Directed by Hafsia Herzi | France, Germany | French and Arabic with English Subtitles | 107 mins | Unclassified 15+

Fatima is the youngest daughter in a boisterous Franco-Algerian family. Leaving the suburbs of Paris behind, she sheds her old friends and conservative boyfriend. At university she secretly explores her sexuality via a series of one-off steamy hookups, using a fake name to maintain anonymity. But when she forms a deeper connection with Korean nurse Ji-Na (Park Ji-min, Return to Seoul), can she reconcile her desires with her Muslim identity? Winner of the Queer Palm and Best Actress (Nadia Melliti) at Cannes.

Maspalomas

Directed by Aitor Arregi, Jose Mari Goenaga | Spain | Basque with English Subtitles | 109 mins | Unclassified 18+

Vicente is 76 and has spent decades living openly as a gay man in the Spanish resort enclave of Maspalomas. After a sudden stroke leaves him hospitalised, he wakes in a Donostia nursing home, placed there by the daughter he abandoned years earlier. In this new world of routines, supervision and unspoken rules, Vicente stops mentioning his sexuality – almost without noticing how easily he slips back into the closet he once fought so hard to escape. Winner of Best Actor at the San Sebastián Film Festival, Maspalomas is a moving meditation on the struggle to live honestly in systems designed to make differences disappear.

Presented with Kaleido Health Centre.

Nova & Alice

Australian Premiere

Directed by Emma Bucht | Sweden | Swedish with English Subtitles | 103 mins | Unclassified 15+

Emma Bucht’s heartfelt musical drama celebrates the joy of unexpected love and new beginnings. Reluctantly forced into a joint tour by their manager, waning pop star Alice and rising singer-songwriter Nova have precious little in common except a genuine love of music. As they travel across Sweden together, their on-stage rivalry develops into an unexpected artistic partnership and, eventually, love. But can their summer romance survive the realities and responsibilities of life away from the road?

On the Sea

Australian Premiere

Directed by Helen Walsh | UK | English | 111 mins | Unclassified 15+

When his son accidentally injures a local fisherman, gruff, burly mussel farmer Jack volunteers to do some fishing runs to get him through winter. Forced into close proximity with ruggedly handsome skipper Daniel, his unmistakable interest reawakens feelings Jack has spent years suppressing but can no longer ignore. Characterised by weather-beaten faces, cramped interiors and bodies shaped by work, On the Sea is a quietly aching portrait of masculinity under pressure, where desire surfaces not as escape, but as something hard-won and deeply human.

Skiff

Australian Premiere

Directed by Cecilia Verheyden | Belgium | French and Flemish with English Subtitles | 106 mins | Unclassified 15+

Fifteen year-old Malou is a gifted rower, but she’s bullied by her teammates for avoiding group showers. The youngest of three, she’s grown up wearing her brother’s hand-me-downs and revels in the androgyny. With her single mum distracted by dating, the one constant in Malou’s life is her brother Max – until she develops unexpected feelings for his new girlfriend, Nouria. Caught between loyalty and desire, Malou’s inner world is irrevocably transformed. Produced by the Academy Award-nominated Dardenne brothers (Two Days, One Night).

QueerDoc

Fatherhood (Tre Fedre)

Australian Premiere

Directed by August B Hanssen, Even G Benestad | Norway, Iceland, Germany, UK | Norwegian with English Subtitles | 77 mins | Unclassified 15+

A gay Norwegian throuple – David, Sindre and Kris, the first pregnant trans man in Norway – prepare for impending fatherhood. Until 2016, Norway required trans people to be sterilised to get legal gender recognition. Told his womb wasn’t viable, in 2009 Kris’ doctors only removed his ovaries. When a doctor discovered Kris’ womb was healthy years later, a lifelong dream of being a father was suddenly possible. A touching ode to the beauty of non-traditional families, it doubles as a rallying cry for justice and healing.

Screened with short film Purebred. Presented with Harbour City Bears.

Night in West Texas

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Deborah S. Esquenazi | USA | English | 83 mins | Unclassified 15+

Forty years after James Harry Reyos, a gay Apache man, was framed for the murder of a Catholic priest, long-buried evidence is uncovered that could finally prove his innocence. Peabody-winning journalist Deborah S. Esquenazi (Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four, QSFF16) sensitively exposes how a racist and homophobic justice system failed him, his ongoing trauma amidst a harrowing ordeal, and the way a community rallied around him in the fight for justice. A deeply moving yet uplifting documentary.

Row of Life

Sydney Premiere

Directed by Soraya Simi | USA | English | 82 mins | Unclassified 15+

Row of Life tells the story of three-time Paralympian, Marine Corps veteran, multiple Guinness World Record holder and renowned ocean rower Angela Madsen. In 2020, Angela attempted to row over 3,500 kilometres solo and unassisted across the Pacific Ocean, from LA to Hawaii. What unfolds is a harrowing story of her determination, resilience and immense courage to pursue the unknown. Throughout it all is the unyielding support of Angela’s wife Deb who, even separated by a vast ocean, champions Angela’s dream at all costs.

Second Nature

Australian Premiere

Directed by Drew Denny | USA, Netherlands | English | 81 mins | All Ages

Narrated by Elliot Page, Second Nature is an engaging documentary about the diversity of gender and sexuality in the natural world. It debunks the myth that being queer is “unnatural” or females are “inferior”, with evidence from throughout the animal kingdom. Follow trailblazing trans evolutionary biologist Dr. Joan Roughgarden (Evolution’s Rainbow), as she meets other groundbreaking scientists exploring the 1,500+ animal species who engage in same-sex sexual behaviour and parenting, change sex and form matriarchies.

Truth or Dare

Australian Premiere

Directed by Maja Classen | Germany | English | 75 mins | Unclassified 18+

People of all different sexualities and genders discuss and demonstrate what brings them pleasure. The diverse group offer unfiltered perspectives on everything from group sex, establishing boundaries, sexual health and kink, through to non-monogamy, disclosing HIV status and sex work. At times explicit, sweet and even awkward, everyone is given space to express their opinions and desires without fear or judgement. An evocative experimental documentary exploring queer sexuality, consent and belonging within Berlin’s sex-positive community.

My Queer Career: Australian Shorts

Australia | English; Arabic, Dutch and Urdu with English Subtitles | 106 mins | Unclassified 15+

Baby Talk

Directed by Lizzie Cater | Produced by Alex Cook | 13 mins

In the summer of 1992, Leo and Amy drive the final leg of a road trip together. Taking the journey to openly be themselves, the spectre of Leo’s husband-to-be haunts their get away, as the closet looms on the other side.

Billie and Jesse

Directed by AP Pobjoy | Produced by Sayuri Kawamura, MahVeen Shahraki | 14 mins

Billie and Jesse, the perfect lesbian couple, hit a bump when Jesse begins transitioning and realises he’s attracted to men. An encounter with Brad forces them to confront some uncomfortable truths.

Boyish

Directed by Scarlett Scherer | Produced by Scarlett Scherer, Luke Wiltshire | 12 mins

Josh and Cam test the boundaries of their life-long friendship when Josh asks Cam to kiss him, to find out whether he’s a bad kisser.

The Dysphoria

Directed by Kylie Aoibheann | Produced by Oliver Ellis | 13 mins

A trans woman performs a Satanic ritual to get a vagina, but unwittingly invites a demonic presence into her home which demands a terrible sacrifice.

Howl

Directed by Domini Marshall | Produced by Josie Baynes | 16 mins

At a suburban house party, best friends Daisy and Lila navigate shifting desires and tough choices, forcing them to confront their place in the world and what they mean to each other.

I’m the Most Racist Person I Know

Directed by Leela Varghese | Produced by Suriyna Sivashanker | 13 mins

When a public romantic gesture backfires, Lali unexpectedly finds herself offered a pity date by Ana. But when the conversation takes an unexpected turn Lali must confront her internalised prejudices.

If/When

Directed by Courtney Westbrook | Produced by Courtney Westbrook, Anna Dvorak, Jasmine Hair, Chris Shapones, Emma Vranjes | 10 mins

In a world where time is anything but linear, lonely traveller Ollie glimpses a future without Az, the one person who makes them feel grounded. Can their connection withstand the chaos of life?

Inheritance

Directed by Mohammad Awad | Produced by Mohammad Awad, Patrick Abboud, Rizcel Gagawanan | 15 mins

After the news of his father’s passing, Ameen must face old demons when he returns to the family home he was kicked out of as a teenager – his kind-of-sort-of boyfriend in tow.

Bi+ Shorts

Australia, Canada, France, Hungary, UK, USA | English; Hebrew and Hungarian with English Subtitles | 97 mins | Unclassified 15+

27

Directed by Flóra Anna Buda | 11 mins

It’s Alice’s 27th birthday. Even though she’s suffocating a bit, living at home with her family without any privacy, she uses her dreams to escape her dreary everyday life.

Bisexual Crisis!!!

Directed by Lyndon Henley Hanrahan | 11 mins

After a wild night out, boy Charlie and girl Charlie almost kiss, which plunges them into a humorous, heart-wrenching conversation about their tangled sexual identities.

Boymode

Directed by Olivia Aleksoski | 12 mins

A closeted trans woman attends her high school reunion in “boymode” to reconnect with the one that got away.

Composure

Directed by Windy Ruan | 11 mins

An engagement photographer and a bride-to-be are stuck together when the groom doesn’t show up to their photoshoot.

Itty Bitty Betty

Directed by Laura Buchanan | 12 mins

Living alone with only her miniature figurine collection for company, Betty must decide if she’s willing to risk vulnerability for a real connection when she meets a sweet delivery woman.

The Orange at the Seder

Directed by Jacob Combs | 15 mins

When Adam brings his first-ever girlfriend to his beloved mentor’s annual queer, all-male Passover seder, he must come out of the closet all over again.

(Practically) Gay

Directed by Marc Underhill | 10 mins

After Alex’s boyfriend breaks up with him, a nightcap with a married couple reawakens feelings he’d previously ignored out of fear of living authentically as a bisexual man.

Shoobs

Directed by Lisle Turner | 12 mins

During a banging 2005 South London house party, Lisa gives herself advice on how to deal with her feelings for both Blazer and Jada. But is it good advice?

Gay Shorts

Canada, Germany, UK, USA | English, German with English Subtitles, Bosnian with English Subtitles | 97 mins | Unclassified 15+

Brief Somebodies

Directed by Andy Reid | 14 mins

While rehearsing a scene involving a sexual assault, a pair of actors form a connection they’ll be forced to reconfigure once filming begins.

Poreless

Directed by Harris Doran | 13 mins

A fabulous, queer Muslim beauty entrepreneur must figure out how to compete in a Shark Tank-like product pitch contest after suffering an untimely allergic reaction.

She Raised Me

Directed by Ben Lewis | 13 mins

Louie plans to break up with his boyfriend (Zane Phillips, Fire Island) until he discovers his mother is Marilyn Muff (Rosie O’Donnell), a gay icon he’s idolised since childhood.

Skin on Skin

Directed by Simon Schneckenburger | 30 mins

Against the backdrop of a fomenting revolt, an undocumented worker and a security guard in a German slaughterhouse find one another.

Sweetheart

Directed by Luke Wintour | 18 mins

In 1723 London, Thomas Neville is discovered cruising in a public toilet and takes refuge in a local Molly House – a secret queer society away from prying eyes.

Two Black Boys in Paradise

Directed by Baz Sells | 9 mins

A movingly tender animation, based on Dean Atta’s eponymous poem, sees two boys on a journey of self-acceptance and love – for each other and themselves.

Hot Boy Shorts

Australia, Canada, France, Hungary, UK, USA | English; Hebrew and Hungarian with English Subtitles | 97 mins | Unclassified 15+

Angelo

Directed by Helias Doulis | 14 mins

In 1990s Athens, a fleeting encounter between an Albanian man and a customer in a record store draws him into a world that feels strangely familiar. But what will it cost him?

AutoErotica: We Buy Gay Stuff

Directed by Jeremy von Stilb | 17 mins

Up a tall staircase in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood lies what appears to be a seedy XXX magazine store that’s become a living museum and irreplaceable archive of queer history.

Carpobrotus

Directed by Simon Frenay | 22 mins

Friends Maxime, Yann and Laura holiday on a remote Mediterranean island. Maxime immerses himself in a quest for love with the handsome Yann, at the risk of losing himself between dream and desire.

Lisbon

Directed by Matthew Jacobs Morgan | 13 mins

A sugar daddy (John Cameron Mitchell, Hedwig and the Angry Inch) makes an unusual request of his younger hook-up, in this  darkly humorous exploration of intimacy, mortality and the unexpected connections that define us.

My Age Now

Directed by Daniel Talbott | 15 mins

On a Sunday that is a brief respite from everyday life, a young man is haunted by a final voice message, a break up and a, “Goodbye,” he can’t take back.

Within a Quiet Body

Directed by José Manuel Vélez | 14 mins

Alex, a jaded cleaner at a gay sex club, tries to satiate his repressed desires through pleasure and pain.

Indigenous Queer Shorts

Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada | English; Dene and Te Reo Māori with English Subtitles | 85 mins | Unclassified 15+

Carried by Thousands

Directed by Vivienne Alice Linsley, Ross Symington, Jamaica Moana | 25 mins

Jamaica Moana, proud Māori (Ngāpuhi/Tainui) and Samoan, Ballroom icon and non-binary rapper is a cultural force, in this intimate portrait of her journey through creating her deeply personal debut EP.

Dance Like Everyone’s Watching

Directed by Ash Hingston | 14 mins

Hayden Moon, a trans Wiradjuri dancer, finds freedom and self-expression through the discipline of Irish dance and the liberation of pole dancing, in this celebration of resilience and the joy of moving on your own terms.

Inkwo for When the Starving Return

Directed by Amanda Strong | 18 mins

Dove, a gender-shifting warrior, uses their Indigenous medicine (Inkwo) to protect their community from an unburied swarm of terrifying creatures.

Stranger, Brother.

Directed by Annelise Hickey | 15 mins

When Adam, a self-absorbed and lonely millennial, wakes one morning to find his estranged half brother on his doorstep, he must face the family he’s been running away from.

Wait, Wait, Now!

Directed by Ramon Te Wake | 12 mins

When Maori and Kiwi best friends are left at home for the night, they do what all teenage boys do: raid mum’s wardrobe, play dress ups and create a fantasy world where they feel safe and accepted.

Queer Comedy Shorts

Australia, UK, USA | English | 90 mins | Unclassified 15+

Clean Slate

Directed by Emily May Jampel | 9 mins

Two Asian non-binary best friends must make some sacrifices when they audition for the same  role.

Flight Risk

Directed by Mohammad Awad | 16 mins

Muhammad’s fruity holiday plans hit a roadblock when he gets stopped by airport security and is accused of running off to join ISIS. Co-starring Kate Box (Deadloch).

I Hate Helen

Directed by Katie Lambert | 7 mins

Priya hates Helen. She hates her in the canteen, in science and at swimming. Mostly, Priya hates the way Helen makes her feel.

Mean Goals

Directed by Ahuatl Amaro | 17 mins

An adorkable gay Latino decides to join a gay soccer team to bond with his father, who’s struggling with Alzheimer’s. But when the mean gays aren’t welcoming, he takes matters into his own hands.

R&R

Directed by JJ Herz | 10 mins

Co-dependent twins Robbie (a responsible, hopeless romantic with Down syndrome) and Rachel (a raunchy, gay mess) tackle a chaotic, yet typical day in their lives.

Sister!

Directed by John Onieal | 13 mins

Blonde and brunettes are rivals in this country! That is until a bimbo-coded stranger shows up at a transfemme diva’s door.

Sunday Sauce

Directed by Matt Campanella | 14 mins

A repressed Italian-American father is thrust into his worst nightmare when a guy from Grindr shows up at his family’s Sunday dinner.

Sweet Talkin’ Guy

Directed by Spencer Wardwell, Dylan Wardwell | 5 mins

A trans woman goes on three consecutive dates with men grappling with their fragile masculinity.

Queer Doc Shorts

Australia, Brazil, UK, USA | English; Portuguese with English Subtitles | 92 mins | Unclassified 15+

Alice

Directed by Gabriel Novis | 17 mins

In the male-dominated surf and skate scenes of North-East Brazil, a trans woman attempts to return to the ocean she once shared with her late father. Winner of Best International Short Documentary at Hot Docs 2025.

Butch

Directed by Jordan Rossi | 6 mins

Through intimate portraits, candid moments and heartfelt interviews, Butch seeks to redefine and expand the understanding of masculinity.

Lesbian Custody

Directed by Samuel Topiary, Molly Skonieczny | 18 mins

A personal look back at the landmark lesbian documentary In the Best Interests of the Children (1977), about lesbian mothers fighting homophobic family courts for custody of their children. Also screens with Afternoon Delight.

Old Habits

Directed by Alfie Faber | 28 mins

The “gay male nuns” of Sydney’s Order of Perpetual Indulgence have been shocking, delighting and confounding audiences with their satirical activism for over four decades, but does this bold brand of activism still hold relevance today?

Tarzan Pants

Directed by Liz Baulch | 8 mins

An intimate, autobiographical story of a transformative pair of pants and a childhood refusal to conform to societal expectations of gender.

While We Still Have Time

Directed by Ava Grimshaw-Hall | 15 mins

A daughter embarks on a poignant journey to connect with her sperm donor father as he battles an aggressive cancer, exploring their unique bond as they seek closure amidst life’s uncertainties.

Queer Scream Shorts

Argentina, Australia, Canada, USA | English; Spanish with English Subtitles | 90 mins | Unclassified 15+

Are You Fucking Kidding Me?!

Directed by Zen Pace | 12 mins

When a broke party clown finds out his mother is on her deathbed in the middle of the gig from hell, he must do whatever it takes to afford a flight home. Executive produced by Jinkx Monsoon.

DEMONBOY

Directed by Aaron Lovett | 11 mins

A reclusive twenty-something develops an all-consuming obsession with another man he encounters on the internet.

Dry January

Directed by C.J. Arellano | 19 mins

After a particularly rough New Year’s Eve, Maya decides to give up drinking and take up sculpting. But things take a turn when her crab creations come to life and attack her gay brother, Toby.

The Fling

Directed by Jemma Cotter | 4 mins

A stop-motion horror rom-com about two women on the prowl for love, who must hide their monstrous appetites to ensure their dates go well. Featuring Zachary Ruane (Aunty Donna).

Little One

Directed by Lindsay Carpenter | 9 mins

While a woman is trying to get over her ex following a break up, her cat magically turns into a human and becomes the object of her owner’s toxic fixation.

Long Pork

Directed by Iris Dukatt | 13 mins

In a Post-Roe America where theocracy reigns, a renowned butcher (Lena Headey, Game of Thrones) meets the political predator responsible for killing her daughter and exacts bloody revenge.

Luz Diabla

Directed by Gervasio Canda, Paula Boffo, Patricio Plaza | 11 mins

Martin, a flamboyant urban raver, is involved in a strange car accident on his way to a party in the middle of the Argentine Pampas.

Take Care

Directed by Brittany Ashley | 11 mins

After forming a crush on an ER nurse, a woman deliberately injures herself to see her again. But when she’s discharged earlier than expected, she must find a new way to extend her stay.

Sapphic Shorts

Brazil, Canada, Iran, UK, USA | English, Farsi with English Subtitles, Portuguese with English Subtitles | 97 mins | Unclassified 15+

2 of Hearts

Directed by Ana Squilanti | 15 mins

The highlight of widow Alzira’s routine is the weekly card game with her friends. But when Rosa, her canasta partner, forgoes games to go dancing, Alzira experiences a mixture of sadness and desire.

Azi

Directed by Montana Mann | 14 mins

During a weekend vacation with her best friend’s family, seventeen-year-old Azi gets caught up in an unexpected game with another guest (Breeda Wool, UnREAL).

Before I Do

Directed by Gitika Buttoo | 9 mins

On the morning of her wedding a British-Indian woman grapples with the hasty push towards matrimony, sparking a transformative journey of introspection into her true desires.

Bury Your Gays

Directed by Charlotte Serena Cooper | 19 mins

Actor Grace doesn’t understand why every role ends in death – until a mysterious agent reveals the “Bury Your Gays” trope. Now, trapped in genre-hopping chaos, Grace has one mission: survive. Also screened with Love and Other Catastrophes

Kisses and Bullets

Directed by Faranak Sahafian | 12 mins

Two Iranian women overcome fear to join the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, finding global connection through a photo that sparks hope for their future.

Magic

Directed by Dominique Provost-Chalkley | 15 mins

A musician (Taylor Hickson, Fort Salem) locks eyes with Magic (Dominique Provost-Chalkley, Wynonna Earp), a non-binary activist. As the night unravels it becomes clear they have very different perspectives about connection.

Wild Oats

Directed by Rosa Duncan | 8 mins

A 16-year-old girl battles the relentless interruptions of farm life (and her well-meaning but clueless father) as she embarks on an awkward journey of self-discovery fuelled by a celebrity crush.

Trans & Gender Diverse Shorts

Australia, Canada, Sweden, USA | English; Swedish with English Subtitles | 101 mins | Unclassified 15+

Are You Scared to Be Yourself Because You Think That You Might Fail?

Directed by Bec Pecaut | 17 mins

While recovering from top surgery, Mad (Lío Mehiel, Mutt) struggles with wanting their partner’s attention and accepting help from their mother.

Egg

Directed by Jamie Kiernan O’Brien | 9 mins

In a job interview, a young trans woman becomes convinced that the elderly man interviewing her is a closeted trans woman and that she’s the only one who can help him.

Found

Directed by Luka Otis Gracie | 14 mins

Apollo, a nervous 21-year-old trans boy, feels stuck and lonely. One night he attends Transcendence, a club for trans people, and he discovers a whole new world. Featuring Georgie Stone (Neighbours).

Game Rules

Directed by Christian Zetterberg | 11 mins

A unisex youth handball team participates in their first major tournament, but when the rules require  them to split into a girls and boys team, a competing coach questions who’s really allowed to play.

Heel Turn

Directed by Isabella Poynter-Symonds | 8 mins

Nikki Van Blair is the biggest diva you’ve never heard of. A legend of the Sydney wrestling scene, she reflects on the ways wrestling has helped and hurt her as a queer trans woman.

Moonbeams

Directed by Elo Santa Maria | 15 mins

When Frankie is thrown in solitary confinement for taking hormones, his lover June is cut off from him. The two must find a way to reunite and plot Frankie’s escape.

Pink Light

Directed by Harrison Browne | 11 mins

An ex-pro hockey player who time travels back to his pre-transition self, when he was waiting for life to begin — only to realize that he has always been the person he was waiting to become.

Rainbow Girls

Directed by Nana Duffuor | 16 mins

As San Francisco’s tech boom gentrifies their city, three Black trans women stage an audacious heist targeting exclusive luxury brands. Executive produced by Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman) and Nava Mau (Baby Reindeer).

Women Loving Women Shorts

Australia, Spain, UK, USA | English; Spanish with English Subtitles | 91 mins | Unclassified 15+

Calamity Jane

Directed by Robin Cloud | 17 mins

A former barrel racing champion, haunted by a tragic fall, must find the courage to ride again after forming an unexpected bond with a young woman who harbours a secret of her own.

Close to September

Directed by Lucía G. Romero | 30 mins

Alejandra lives on a campsite close to the big hotels. She cares for her siblings, hangs out in the neighbourhood and has casual flings with the tourists – until things get more serious when she meets Amara.

KA POW

Directed by Kate Lefoe | 14 mins

Fiery artist Bec moves into a sharehouse with the enigmatic Morgan, sparking a playful romance that tests the boundaries of love, identity and self-discovery in 1990 Melbourne.

Ladies Night

Directed by Lucy Bubalo, Shayla Nguyen | 4 mins

During a girl’s night clubbing with her best friend Fiona, Viv spots her ex, Remy. Determined to keep the night going, Fiona helps score Viv a hot new babe to shove it in Remy’s stupid face.

The Second Time Around

Directed by Jack Howard | 12 mins

On a rainy night, while closing a cafe, a waitress is confronted by a mysterious older woman who seems to know more than she’s letting on.

Solers United

Directed by Sara Harrak | 14 mins

As grass roots women’s soccer team Solers United face eviction, emotions bubble between teammates, Nelly and Bills. Enter new striker Sals, and Bills can’t help but envy her connection with Nelly.

Shorts Before Features

Baba I’m Fine

Dir. Karina Dandashi | USA | English | 13 mins | Unclassified 15+

After Sama’s secret girlfriend blows off their Friday plans she mopes in her room until her dad suggests hanging out, forcing her to choose between authenticity and keeping up appearances. Screened with Summer’s Camera.

Dragon’s Breath

Dir. Melanie Easton | Australia | English | 11 mins | Unclassified 15+

A group of pre-teens must convince their friend to perform in the school talent show after she reveals an embarrassing and fantastical secret. Screened with If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart into Your Mouth and Smile.

The Eating of an Orange

Dir. Arnaud Dufeys | UK | No Dialogue | 7 mins | Unclassified 15+

A juicy and surreal exploration of convention and sexuality told through slugs, rituals and the eating of an orange. Screened with Bouchra.

A Friend of Dorothy

Dir. Lee Knight | UK | English | 22 mins | Unclassified 15+

An unlikely friendship blossoms between a lonely widow (Miriam Margolyes) and a teenage boy after he kicks a soccer ball into her garden. Featuring Stephen Fry. Screened with Four Mothers and The Naked Civil Servant.

Hot Young Geek Seeks Blood-Sucking Freak

Dir. Heath Virgoe | UK | English | 12 mins | Unclassified 15+

In this zany Scottish genre comedy, Max finds out their penchant for Twilight fan fiction means more than just online fandom. Screened with The Serpent’s Skin.

Invincible Summer

Dir. Arnaud Dufeys | Belgium | French and Spanish with English Subtitles | 19 mins | Unclassified 18+

Determined to lose his virginity, 16 year-old Clément lies about his age on Grindr. But when a 24 year-old actually shows up he realises he still has a lot of growing up to do. Screened with The Last First Time.

Purebred

Dir. Caleb J. Roberts | UK | English | 15 mins | Unclassified 15+

During a heatwave, transgender man Owen returns to the flat of his on-off-again lover, Seán, after taking a pregnancy test. Screened with Fatherhood.

Shall We Meet Tonight

Dir. Wapah Ezeigwe | UK | English; Igbo with English Subtitles | 15 mins | Unclassified 15+

Before her arranged marriage, a Nigerian woman’s forbidden romance with her town’s elegant seamstress unfolds in stolen nighttime moments. Screened with Dreamers.

Sleazy Tiger

Dir. James Ley | UK | English | 14 mins | Unclassified 15+

Hopeless romantic Alan is on a great first date with vegan heartthrob Blair. When he’s overwhelmed with erotic desire he ends up in Horny Hell, fighting to get back. Screened with Departures.

Tiger Lily Mountain Pass

Dir. Nate King | USA | No Dialogue | 6 mins | Unclassified 15+

A dreamlike poem that tells a story of ecstasy, meditation and heartache in the forest of Appalachia, where queerness is often hidden or disguised. Screened with Drunken Noodles.

Witness

Dir. Radha Mehta, Saif Jaan | USA | English; Arabic and Urdu with English Subtitles | 14 mins | Unclassified 15+

A revered small-town imam faces a crisis of faith when he must choose between upholding the values of his mosque or protecting a trans man congregant. Screened with Between Dreams and Hope.

You Can Call Me Lou

Dir. Georgia-Zeta Gkoka | UK | English | 12 mins | Unclassified 15+

Louise, an ex-dancer who transitioned in the 1980s, discusses how her love for dance fueled her journey towards self-acceptance. Screened with Afternoon Delight