Screening followed by Q&A with: Fawzia Mirza (Director) and Andria Wilson Mirza (Producer), moderated by Chani Nicholas.

Azra is worlds apart from her conservative Muslim mother. When her father suddenly dies on a trip home to Pakistan, Azra finds herself on a Bollywood-inspired journey through memories, both real and imagined; from her mother’s youth in Karachi to her own coming- of-age in rural Canada.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Meg Shutzer (Co-Director & Producer) and Brandon Yadegari Moreno (Co-Director and DP) from Mother.

Throughout history, queer people have conceptualized and practiced various forms of resistance – politically and artistically; individually and collectively. The films in this block examine the world as it is while raising the possibility of what it can be. Whether based on a true story or an imagined story, these films showcase the transformative power of defying the status quo and inspire viewers to explore, embrace and ultimately, enact alternate futures.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Robert Nachman (Co-Director & DP, Entre Amigxs), Min Soo Park (Director), and Fengze Larry Liang (DoP).

Embark on a journey through short films celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and diverse identities. Follow Felicia Oh, a Taiwanese-American drag queen in NYC; Saturn Risin9, a Bay Area performance artist; Shoog McDaniel's celebration of marginalized bodies in Florida; Fran's nostalgic hometown visit; and the lives of five trans artists in Mexico City. These films explore identity and belonging through storytelling, dance, photography, and performance, fostering unity and appreciation for creative expression.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Nate Gualtieri (Writer).

An Iranian-American transman, Ahmad, searching for his place in history, finds more than just a link to the past in the archives. Drawing from first-person accounts, as well as fictionalized segments, filmmaker Jules Rosskam explores the lines of desire as they intersect with identity for many transmen.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Natalie Jasmine Harris (Ben in Bloom), Lina Abascal (Stud Country), Alexandra Kern (Stud Country), April Maxey, Writer / Director (Work), Elaine Whae, Actress (Work); and from Blue Square Heart: William Means (Director), Noam Klement (Editor), Olia Zimarova (Producer), Yulia Safonova (Producer), Jessica Lea Risco (Actor), and Kian Morr (Actor).

This program of short films showcases the queer sanctuaries we create and find in spaces, our memories, and in others. Centered around the joy and safety that allow for the most authentic version of ourselves to emerge, the films showcase the world-building, and life-affirming possibilities of queer relationality. Individually, these films each highlight the nature and journey towards queer sanctuaries. Together they enshrine the most sacred and healing aspects of being queer – finding ourselves.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Roberto Fatal (writer/producer/director, Do Digital Curanderas), Rraine Hanson (Director & co-writer, Mooncake), and Nava Mau (Director, Actor, Writer, All The Words But the One).

Memory serves as an empathy engine in these films, transporting us through the tapestry of present beauty, past acceptance, and future affirmation. These narratives invite us to reflect on the lessons and gift of our own memories and the evolving nature of identity, reminding us of the universal quest for belonging and affirmation. As we traverse these intimate stories, we are reminded of the importance of honoring our past, embracing the present, and envisioning a future where every individual can live their truth unapologetically.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Sterling Hampton (Merman), NOVA CYPRESS BLACK (Dey/Dem), No Guest Speakers (MnM), Tee Park (Co-director, Winter Insect, Summer Flower), and Gbenga Komolafe (Co- director, Winter Insect, Summer Flower).

Explore this immersive collection of short films celebrating Black queer lives. From documentaries on vibrant drag queens and Black elders to magical coming of age journeys and stories of transformative love, these films weave a rhapsody of resilience and authentic connections.

In a Southern Thai town, Shati, a local Muslim woman from a conservative family meets Fon, an activist-turned-visual artist. Shati struggles with her traditional roots and emerging feelings. Haunted by her late grandmother's cautionary tale and unusual occurrences, Shati must forge her own path and come to terms with her identity.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Silas Howard (Director).

After a near-death experience, Darby gains the ability to see dead people and becomes introverted, preferring to counsel spirits with unfinished business. This changes when Capri, the school's Queen Bee, dies and pleads with Darby to convince her friends to proceed with her canceled "Sweet 17." To appease Capri, Darby must reintegrate into high school life and find renewed joy among the living.

If history is written by the victors, where does that leave those who were never allowed to be part of the game? A collective of queer athletes sets out to honour those who were excluded from the winners’ podium. Together they create a radical utopia far from the rigid gender rules in competitive sports.

Screening followed by Q&A with: MG Evangeista (Director, They Call Me Suki), W.A.W. Parker (Writer, The Roof), Alexander Bocchieri (Director, The Roof), Blake Pickens (Producer, The Roof), and Emily May Jampel (Director, Lucky Fish).

Generations In Bloom showcases the beauty of connection and captures the essence of growth throughout different stages of life. By portraying queer individuals across different eras, these short films highlight the universal quest for self-acceptance and the formation of meaningful relationships, celebrating the enduring power of love and community.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Elizabeth Purchell (Director).

A feature-length mashup film that uses fragments from 126 all-male adult films to explore the lives and fantasies of a generation of gay men — or at least how they looked in the movies.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Susie Yankou (Writer/director/producer/ Actor 'Lou'), Sarah Khasrovi (Producer/story by, Actor 'Esther'), and Riley Scott (Producer).

​​20-somethings Lou and Esther are best friends, constantly daydreaming about what it would have been like to grow up with a sister. But when Lou’s problematic father dies, she learns that she has a very real, very chic, long-lost half sister, which threatens her and Esther’s codependent bliss.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Andrea A. Walter (Writer/Director, I'm In Love with Edgar Alan Poe), Ella Jay Basco (Actor, I'm In Love with Edgar Alan Poe), Neal Suresh Mulani (writer/director/actor/producer, RAT!), Lottie Abrahams (Producer, RAT!), Katie White, ILY BYE, Molly Hallam (Producer), and Mireia Vilanova (Producer).

Laughing Through Fire offers hilarious reflections on the day-to-day journey of making your way through the minefield of modern times — whether online or IRL — as members of the queer and trans community. Showcasing tremendous clarity of expression and style, the filmmakers behind the works in this short film program utilize humor as a guide to making sense of our increasingly convoluted world.

Screening followed by Q&A with: Writer, Director, Producer: Drew Denny, Executive Producer: Matt Jordan Smith, On Screen Participant: Dr Amy Parish, Composer: Chanell Crichlow, Associate Producer: Jaclyn Moore, Line Producer: Sam Curley, and Colorist: Daymian Mejia.

Did you know that clownfish change sex from male to female? (So if Nemo’s mom had died in real life, his dad would have become his mom!) Did you know that albatross, penguins and swans parent in same sex pairs? Or that bonobos, who are just as closely related to us as chimps, are matriarchal and have same-sex sex every day?

Debunking myths that females are “inferior” and being queer is “unnatural,” Second Nature follows trans trailblazer Evolutionary Biologist Dr. Joan Roughgarden as she meets groundbreaking scientists exploring the 1500+ animal species who engage in same-sex sexual behavior and parenting, change sex, form matriarchies, and more.