LGBTQ Film Festival (DRAFT 2025)
The 2024 LGBTQ Film Festival will take place September 12-15, 2024 at the NAT and MOPA (in balboa park)
The 2024 LGBTQ Film Festival lineup will be announced soon! Join our mailing list to stay up to date!
Submissions for our 2023 LGBTQ Film Festival will be open March 1st!
Thursday, August 21
Day sponsored by:
Join us for an upbeat and FUN social event! Opening Night Admission Tickets include a complementary on-site After Party immediately following the feature presentation with delicious food selections from eight amazing San Diego restaurants; complimentary beverages – alcoholic (wine, beer, two specialty cocktails) and non-alcoholic refreshments; an impressive Silent Auction of a wide variety of items with total valuation exceeding $14,000; opportunities to meet and mingle with celebrities from the feature presentation; and a 360 Film Booth!
+ After Party
The Best Friend
After a crisis with his boyfriend Martin, Lucas (Vinícius Teixeira), an architect searching for answers, travels alone to the idyllic beach of Canoa Quebrada in Ceará, Brazil. There, he reconnects with Felipe (Gabriel Fuentes), a former college classmate who now works as a tour guide. Their reunion stirs up long-buried feelings and forces Lucas to face a dilemma: return to his current relationship or give in to a passion from the past. Set against a vibrant backdrop and soundtracked by hits from the ’80s and ’90s, the film is a celebration of love, self-discovery, and the beauty of Brazil’s northeastern coast. California Premiere!
Friday, August 22
Day sponsored by:
Pooja Sir
When two boys are kidnapped in a border town in Nepal, Detective Inspector Pooja (Asha Magrati) is sent from Kathmandu to solve the case, forcing her to leave her wife and her ailing father behind. But when she arrives to investigate, the brewing political unrest and violent protests throw her off course, and she is forced to seek help from Mamata (Nikita Chandak), a local Madhesi policewoman. By putting aside systemic racial and homophobic discrimination and pushing through everyday misogyny, the women work together to solve the case—but at what personal cost? Inspired by real events which took place in Southern Nepal during the 2015 race protests.
State of Firsts
This powerful documentary follows Sarah McBride’s historic run to become the first openly transgender member of Congress. As she balances activism with the realities of electoral politics, her bittersweet victory—coinciding with Donald Trump’s return—thrusts her into a sharply divided nation and a hostile political environment.
Soon after taking office, Sarah is banned by MAGA Republicans from using Capitol restrooms, igniting national outrage, and underscoring the growing threats to trans rights. Despite attacks and public misgendering, one of which goes viral when she pushes back—Sarah forges ahead with determination. The film leaves her on the doorstep of her new job, facing high-stakes decisions under the pressure of the national spotlight.
Fine Young Men
Coming-of-age story that explores toxic masculinity, privilege, and homophobia with emotional depth. Alf (Andres Revo), a student at a strict Catholic school, is drawn to Oliver (Joaquín Emanuel), a charismatic new classmate. As their bond deepens, Alf distances himself from longtime friends. But pressured by peers and societal expectations, he betrays Oliver in a desperate attempt to prove his masculinity—triggering devastating consequences that challenge his sense of identity and values.
Exit Interviews
Robert (Tuc Watkins), a middle-aged gay man, begins a personal documentary project following his long history of failed relationships. As a professional but emotionally vulnerable individual, Robert decides to interview six (Adam Huss, Joseph Haro, Thomas Dekker, Ray Santiago, Nick Hagelin, Paul Zenas) of his ex-boyfriends, each of whom represents a distinct chapter in his love life. His ultimate goal is to find out why these relationships ended and to use the documentary as a means of personal growth—or so he believes. With the support of his sister Deborah (Summer Rain Menkee), Robert prepares for the emotionally challenging task ahead. With Kiana Dancie.
Heart of the Man
Aspiring boxer Chris (Parker Little) lives in the shadow of his father, Sammy (director David Cook), a former champion still grieving the loss of his wife. Determined to see his son succeed where he could not, Sammy pushes Chris toward the boxing dream he never achieved. But as Chris begins to explore his attraction to Jamie (Tyrel Dulvarie) and finds a sense of belonging among the local theatre community, he starts to question whether his future truly lies in the ring. In this poignant family drama, Cook shines a light on the underrepresentation of queer Indigenous stories in film, crafting a heartfelt narrative about self-discovery, acceptance, and breaking free from the weight of generational expectations.
Saturday, August 23
Day sponsored by:
Row of Life
Fueled by relentless ambition, Angela Madsen shattered expectations to become a U.S. Marine, a three-time Paralympian, and a 14-time Guinness World Record holder. At 60, she set her sights on her most audacious goal yet: to be the first paraplegic—and the oldest woman—to row solo and unassisted across the vast Pacific Ocean. In 2020, Angela embarked on her final voyage, rowing from Los Angeles to Hawaii in a bold attempt to redefine the limits of human endurance. At the heart of her journey was not only extraordinary courage but also the profound love she shared with her wife, Deb. Though separated by an ocean, their unwavering connection turned the expedition into a powerful testament to resilience, devotion, and the pursuit of impossible dreams—regardless of the cost.
Drive Back Home
A tragi-comedy about brotherhood, forgiveness, and overcoming deep divides. Set in the winter of 1970, stoic plumber Weldon (Charlie Creed-Miles) is sent by his mother to retrieve his estranged, openly gay brother Perley (Alan Cumming) from a Toronto jail, where he’s been arrested for “public indecency.” Reluctantly, Weldon sets out in a borrowed pickup, but the 1,000-mile journey becomes more than a simple drive home. Along snowy roads and through charged silences, the brothers confront buried wounds, small-town prejudices, and each other.
A Night Like This
In this charming feature debut from Liam Calvert, two seemingly mismatched men cross paths on a chilly December night in London. Alexander Lincoln (In from the Side) and Jack Brett Anderson (Wolfblood) shine as Oliver, a brash British entrepreneur, and Lukas, a struggling German actor. After an awkward pub encounter, the two decide to spend the night together—barhopping, soul-searching, and confronting uncomfortable truths. What begins as a chance meeting becomes a night of unexpected connection and self-discovery.
Plainclothes
In Carmen Emmi’s ’90s-set erotic drama, Tom Blyth plays a closeted undercover cop tasked with entrapping men cruising in shopping mall bathrooms. But when he crosses paths with a married man (Russell Tovey), a routine sting spirals into something far more complicated. A charged encounter ignites a dangerous attraction, turning the operation into a volatile dance of secrecy and desire, where the lines between duty and longing, watcher and watched, begin to blur. Raised in the shadow of his grandfather’s badge and working within a deeply homophobic police department, Lucas begins to unravel under the weight of conflicted loyalties and repressed identity.
Who Wants To Marry An Astronaut?
After 15 years together, David (Raúl Tejón) is ready to marry his partner. He plans the perfect Route 66 road trip, ending with a wedding in Las Vegas. But when he proposes, he’s publicly rejected. Undeterred, David is determined to experience the joy of a wedding—giving himself just 10 days to find someone new to say “yes.” Who Wants to Marry an Astronaut? is a vibrant road movie infused with the charm of modern romantic comedies, bursting with optimism, music, dancing, delicious food, and the hope of a happy ending.
Sunday, August 24
Day sponsored by:
Streets of Glória (Ruas Da Glória)
Gabriel (Caio Macedo), a young literature teacher, relocates to Rio de Janeiro and discovers The Glória—a pulsating bar and secret haven for the city’s outsiders. There, he meets Adriano (Alejandro Claveaux), a magnetic male escort, and their electrifying connection pulls Gabriel into a world of passion and self-discovery. But when Adriano suddenly disappears, Gabriel’s search for answers takes an unexpected turn, leading him to step into Adriano’s world as an escort himself. As he delves deeper, he begins to confront societal expectations, personal boundaries, and the many faces of desire. California Premiere!
Sauna
Fresh from Sundance! Amid the vibrant nightlife of Copenhagen, young Johan (Magnus Juhl Andersen) explores his emerging sexuality while working at a popular bathhouse and seeking out hookups through dating apps. When one of his online connections turns out to be a trans man named William (Nina Rask), Johan is initially uncertain—but quickly drawn in by William’s disarming charm. What begins as a fleeting encounter soon deepens into a passionate affair, pulling Johan into a new and unfamiliar world. As he meets William’s trans friends and witnesses their daily fight for access to hormones and gender-affirming surgery, Johan is also forced to confront the unspoken prejudices and rigid norms that persist within the gay community. In the process, he must ask himself what kind of ally—and what kind of man—he genuinely wants to be.
Four Mothers
When Edward’s close-knit group of gay friends suddenly dashes off to a destination Pride event, they leave their elderly mothers in his care. In this bawdy yet heartwarming tale of mothers and sons. Edward, a gay novelist, must juggle self-care with caregiving for his non-verbal mother. Played by James McArdle (Mare of Easttown, Ammonite), Edward is the author of a gay young adult novel that becomes an unexpected hit overseas, years after its release in Ireland. But behind the success, he’s been the sole caregiver for his demanding mother Alma, portrayed by the legendary Fionnula Flanagan — a role that’s left him lonely and overwhelmed. As Edward tries to manage his rising career while looking after Alma and three other eccentric mothers — cooking meals, managing bedtime, even going to see a psychic — he’s forced to confront his own neglected emotional needs.
300 Letters (#300 Cartas)
This Argentinian romantic comedy begins with what seems like a perfect couple—Tom (Gastón Frías) and Jero (Cristian Mariani). But on their anniversary, Tom leaves Jero with nothing but a breakup letter—and 299 more written throughout their relationship. As Jero reads the letters, he’s forced to relive their romance, from a steamy Grindr hookup to an unlikely love between a CrossFit jock and a queer performance artist. Now, he must confront a painful question: was it real love—or part of Tom’s ethically questionable art?
Twinless
Fresh from Sundance! Twinless blends humor and poignancy as it explores the complexities of male friendship and the unique grief of losing a twin. The story follows Roman (Dylan O’Brien, in a career-best dual role), who, reeling from the death of his twin brother Rocky, moves into Rocky’s Portland apartment and joins a support group for twin loss. There, he meets Dennis (James Sweeney), a shy, gay man mourning his own twin. As their bond deepens, the two form an emotionally intense and unconventional friendship that challenges traditional boundaries and delves into identity, connection, and healing. With Aisling Franciosi & Lauren Graham.
