Queer Screen at Qtopia Sydney Pride Fest 2026

Out & Proud Shorts

13 June 3 pm, Qtopia Sydney – The Substation

136 Oxford Stree,t Darlinghurst, New South Wales, 2010

This selection of short films showcase the diversity of the LGBTIQ+ community as they overcome obstacles – both external and internal – to live their lives openly with authenticity and pride. Representing some of the audience favourites at Queer Screen’s most recent Mardi Gras Film Festival, they hail from Australia and across the globe.

Two Black Boys in Paradise
Written and Directed by Baz Sells | Produced by Ben Jackson | UK | English | 9 mins
A movingly tender, BAFTA Award-winning animation, based on Dean Atta’s eponymous poem, sees two boys on a journey of self-acceptance and love – for each other and themselves.

Kisses and Bullets
Written and Directed by Faranak Sahafian | Produced by Pooria Ansari | Iran, USA | English, Farsi with English Subtitles | 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.

Found
Written and Directed by Luka Gracie | Produced by Joel Harris, Charmaine Gorman, Marc Gracie | Australia | English | 13 mins
Apollo, a nervous 21-year-old trans man, 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).

Sweetheart
Directed by Luke Wintour | Written by Alastair Curtis | Produced by Elliot Zelmanovits, Chloe Culpin | UK | English | 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.

Tarzan Pants
Written and Directed by Liz Baulch | Produced by Liz Baulch, Deborah Strutt | Australia | English | 8 mins
An intimate, autobiographical story of a transformative pair of pants and a childhood refusal to conform to societal expectations of gender.

Wait, Wait, Now!
Written and Directed by Ramon Te Wake | Produced by Nicola Smith | New Zealand | English | 12 mins
When Māori 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.

Dandelion
Directed by Fiona Obertinca | Written by Corey Pinchoff | Produced by Fiona Obertinca | USA | English | 20 mins
After a rebellious foster teen is thrown out of yet another group home for being disruptive and “lusting after the other girls”, a social worker (Vic Michaelis, Very Important People) has one night to find her a new home.

Witches and Faggots, Dykes and Poofters + Q&A

14 June 12 pm, Qtopia Sydney – The Substation

136 Oxford Stree,t Darlinghurst, New South Wales, 2010

Directed by the One in Seven Collective (Digby Duncan, Miriam Moore, Melanie Rodriga, Leigh Simms) | Produced by Digby Duncan | Australia | English | 1980 | 45 mins

Followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Digby Duncan, 78er Robyn Plaister, moderator Aimée Lindorff.

This iconic 1980 documentary gem is a contemporary time capsule of the very first Sydney Mardi Gras, which helped catapult the fight for gay rights in Australia into the mainstream.

With personal access to those involved – now proudly known as the 78ers – it documents the police brutality and 53 arrests they faced on the night of 24 June 1978, and the political action that unfolded afterwards. Digitally restored by the National Film and Sound Archive, it’s a vital reminder of what the LGBTIQ+ community has fought for, and how important standing up for our rights remains today.

Queer Comedy Shorts

20 June 3 pm, Qtopia Sydney – The Substation

136 Oxford Stree,t Darlinghurst, New South Wales, 2010

We could all do with some queer joy right now, and this package of short films is just the ticket. Finding humour in everything from antagonistic sibling relationships and confusing first crushes, to discreet Grindr profiles and beauty influencers, this hilarious collection was made to be enjoyed in a room full of cackling queers.

She Raised Me
Written and Directed by Ben Lewis | Produced by Katie White, Danielle Wright, Mitchka Saberi | USA | English | 14 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.

Solers United
Directed by Sara Harrak | Written by Sara Harrak, Jadey Duffield, Meg Salter | Produced by Lewis Coates | UK | English | 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.

Sister!
Directed by John Onieal | Written by John Onieal, Tessa Belle, Julia Wendt | Produced by Jeremy Truong | USA | English | 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 claiming to be her sister.

Poreless
Directed by Harris Doran | Written by Harris Doran, Fawzia Mirza | Produced by Harris Doran, Akbar Hamid, Fawzia Mirza, Rabia Sultana | USA | English | 13 mins
A fabulous, queer Muslim beauty entrepreneur must figure out how to compete in a Shark Tank-style product pitch contest after suffering an untimely allergic reaction.

I Hate Helen
Written and Directed by Katie Lambert | Produced by Martha McGuirk, Rosie Brear | UK | English | 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.

Sunday Sauce
Written and Directed by Matt Campanella | Produced by Matt Campanella, Anthony Campanella | USA | English | 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.

Egg
Written and Directed by Jamie Kiernan O’Brien | Produced by Sophie Seyd | USA | English | 7 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.

I’m the Most Racist Person I Know
Written and Directed by Leela Varghese | Produced by Suriyna Sivashanker | Australia | English | 13 mins
When a public romantic gesture backfires, Lali (Shabana Azeez, The Pitt) unexpectedly finds herself offered a pity date by Ana. But when the conversation takes an unexpected turn Lali must confront her internalised prejudices.