Within Toronto’s vibrant bar scene, a diverse group of musicians come together to form
a band with a mission: to ignite a musical revolution. As they channel their individual struggles and experiences into their music, The New Normals create a dynamic rock sound that transcends gender and sexuality. But as they rise to fame, personal and romantic entanglements complicate their journey. A who’s-who of local music featuring
original songs from Torquil Campbell of Stars fame, the soundtrack also includes Peaches, Gentleman Reg, and The Hidden Cameras.

North American Premiere

Elliot Page delivers an emotionally resonant performance in this honest and moving drama that follows Sam as he decides to visit his childhood home in Coburg for the first time since his transition. Sam isn’t sure he’s making the right decision to return to a place that holds painful memories, and if his decision to live life authentically will be compromised. But a chance encounter with his high school best friend, Katherine brings up long-dormant feelings for each other. Could their reconnection lead to a new and brighter chapter in their lives?

This film contains discussions around transphobia.

A year in the life within the world’s most iconic homonormative community: Fire Island Pines. Situated 50 miles from New York City, this storied queer beach town finds itself in the midst of a renaissance, as a new generation of millennial homeowners reimagine The Pines for a new, more inclusive era. Filmed like a Frederick Wiseman movie on magic mushrooms, a large cast of unforgettable eccentrics, activists, drifters, and first timers reflect on the legacy of The Pines, while preparing their beloved village for the biggest challenge it has faced since the AIDS crisis: rising sea levels caused by climate change.

Toronto Premiere

Please note: This film will screen with Closed Captions.

When true-crime podcaster and sleuth Lola visits her hometown for the first time since running away and transitioning, the local urban legend, The Toymaker, is the least of her worries. But when the vengeful ghost of the historical murderer seemingly rises again, Lola must fight against not only a psychotic killer, but also a town haunted by secrets. Can Lola and her band of unexpected allies save Christmas? A transgender holiday film by prolific teenaged filmmaker Alice Maio Mackay and edited by The People’s Joker filmmaker, Vera Drew, Carnage for Christmas is destined to be a queer horror classic.

This film contains scenes of violence with graphic images of blood and gore.

Canadian Premiere

Past and present collide as an Iranian American trans man time-travels through an LGBTQ+ archive on a dizzying quest to unravel his own sexual desires. Director Jules Rosskam blends reality and imagination to bring to life a documentary like no other. Through an erotic and caring lens, Rosskam delves into an exploration of transmasculine sexuality throughout history. Lead performers Theo Germaine and Aden Hakimi’s undeniable chemistry leaps off the screen, adding a new layer to this already enriching story. Desire Lines is an awe-inspiring journey through trans history that deserves to be preserved.

Toronto Premiere

Shine True is a documentary series celebrating the trans and gender non-conforming community by helping them overcome dysphoria and getting them to a place where they can finally present the way they feel.

Episode 3: Transfemme therapist Ronnie gains a confidence boost and style upgrade to coincide with a new life chapter, inviting their Caribbean parents along for the ride.

Shine True

Available Canada-wide

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A docuseries on trans people of colour exploring the spectrum of their experiences. The Tranz Form follows three Black trans women in Miami, FL on the heels of a quickly rising murder epidemic. The Tranz Form highlights and celebrates their lives and voices.

The Tranz Form

Available Canada-wide

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Billy Tipton, the influential jazz musician, became more of a sensation when, upon his death, it was revealed that he was a trans man and the late-20th century world was unable to accept his identity.

For decades, Tipton’s private life was never a concern. His eclectic talent for jazz music spoke for itself and he mapped out a fulfilling career with his wife and adopted children. When his death provoked a media frenzy surrounding his gender identity, Billy Tipton became both the target for tabloid headlines and an unlikely role model for the transmasculine community. Tipton’s story is the portrait of an unlikely hero, stitched together in this documentary with accounts from Tipton’s son and trans artists in awe of his quiet accomplishments.

No Ordinary Man captures Billy Tipton’s complicated legacy, a burden for some and an inspiration for others, with in-depth critiques and affirmations for the trans icon and his portrayal in the media.

When all else fails, Troy and his son, Joe, head out into the Montana wilderness toward the Canadian border, and their freedom.

Troy has struggled in his life but has always been a great father to Joe. When Joe’s mother, Sally, refuses to accept him, Troy sees no other option than to take Joe away. When Sally discovers he is missing, she enlists the help of local police detective, Faith, but as Faith unearths more clues about the case, she realizes there is more to this than Sally has admitted. As the manhunt intensifies, Faith must find the father and son before less understanding members of the search team do, and Sally must embrace Joe for who he is.

With standout performances by Steve Zahn, Ann Dowd, Jillian Bell, and young trans actor Sasha Knight, Cowboys is the captivating story of a young man who knows exactly who he is, and a father who will do anything to protect that.

Cowboys

Available Canada-wide with closed captions.

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French with English subtitles.

The film will be preceded by the short film Iridescence and followed by discussions with Sébastien Lifshitz and Maxime Beauchamp. 

Sasha has always known exactly who she is and, at seven years of age, she is letting the world know, too.

As society fails to treat her like other children her age, Sasha’s supportive family lead a constant battle to ensure that her life is understood and accepted. Throughout her daily life at school; during dance lessons, and attending birthday parties, we see at close range moments of Sasha’s joy and her heartbreaking challenges, as the family works to provide the best possible childhood for their little girl.

Award-winning filmmaker Sébastien Lifshitz follows the family for a year, capturing with insightful and delicate, subtle camerawork, a year in the life of a family who are setting an example for trans youth and for families around the world.

Sasha, 7 ans, se vit comme une petite fille depuis l’âge de 3 ans. Le film suit sa vie au quotidien, le questionnement de ses parents, de ses frères et soeur, tout comme le combat incessant que sa famille doit mener, pour faire comprendre sa différence. Courageuse et intraitable, Karine, la mère de Sasha, mène une lutte sans relâche portée par un amour inconditionnel pour son enfant.

Iridescence (dir. Maxime Beauchamp) is an experimental visual short film which exposes society’s need to label a person by their sexuality. In this story, dance and interpretive movement replace the dialogue, allowing us to use the body to communicate the relationship between the characters and their true human emotions. Through stylized lighting and abstract visuals, Iridescence tells the story of an emotionally repressed abusive father and his son who struggles to accept himself and his sexuality.

Un jeune adolescent vit avec un père oppressif qui tatoue sur son corps des mots qui représentent comment ne pas agir en tant qu’homme hétérosexuel.

Jan 21, 7 PM to Jan 24, 10 PM (ET)

Online, Ontario-wide

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Ciné Fierté is a project conducted in partnership with Cinéfranco and FrancoQueer.

Three French-language feature films with English subtitles preceded by 3 Franco-Ontarian shorts will be screened online from January 21 to the end of March.

Ciné Fierté was made possible thanks to the financial support of Ontario Ministry of Francophone Affairs.