Toronto is the backdrop of this eclectic collection of films telling tales of friendship, community, and mushroom-laced chaos.

Guests: Shaun Soutar, Bea Santos, Isabelle Deluce, Chloë Gordon, Nala Haileselassie, Sania Khan, Doni, Alice Wang, Chase Lo

A portrait of Toronto, as defined by the spaces its queer residents inhabit and the memories they’ve created there.

Ruth’s skepticism of marriage clashes with her best friend’s engagement plans but a psychedelic journey on dress-fitting day forces her to reevaluate her deeply held beliefs.

A comedic slice-of-life exploration of one person’s battle with chronic insomnia.

Two opposing TV signals compete for airtime. The usual narratives of trans identity touted by dominant media are disrupted by authentic stories from trans people.

Inside the lives of five artists and creatives in Toronto as they come together over a shared meal and reflect upon their lived experiences.

Bex impersonates her heartbroken bestie, Danny on a dating app to prove their irresistibility but this backfires, causing chaos.

Tara, a Queer Palestinian woman in her late 20s, attempts to suppress her internal emotional turbulence during a phone call with her best friend.

After a near-death experience lights a flame within both Grandma and Grandpa, they decide to grab life by the boas and tell the world their deepest secret: they’re gay. Having lived under the guise of a straight relationship for decades, they’re coming out of the closet, ditching their small-town life, and going after their big gay dreams. First stop, the big city, to learn “how to be gay” from the best gay people they know – their grandchildren. Navigating the queer dating scene, dating apps, queer fashion, and even a gay dodgeball league, this late-in-life coming out story is all about being empowered to love authentically no matter your age.

Join us for a screening of seven episodes and a panel featuring cast and crew.

World Premiere

nanekawâsis follows the acclaimed nêhiyaw artist George Littlechild as he invites audiences into his storied career spanning over four decades. Using archival footage and newly filmed 16mm interviews, the film provides previously unheard insights about his life and work. As a two-spirit person and ‘60s scoop survivor, Littlechild’s artwork draws from a unique perspective of pain, joy, and exemplary merit. This crucial documentary gives viewers the opportunity to get to know a major player in the Indigenous art world, while highlighting the impacts of colonialism in Canada on both art and artist.

Ontario Premiere

Travel across Canada through this selection of shorts, ranging from touching tales of resilience after a life-changing diagnosis, to finding yourself during an anxiety-inducing night out. Bittersweet endings bloom into joyous new beginnings in this program.

Guests: Kelly Paoli, Andreas Vatiliotou, Tara Hakim, Marie-Michèle Wayland, Hana Joosse, Alyson Richards, Emma Phelan, Gabriel Nunes Souza

I Was Here follows Emma’s journey as she gets a tattoo and prepares for a photo shoot post mastectomy.

*This film is not available in our digital/online programming

In a modern retelling of Brazilian folklore, nervous and insecure Theo discovers love for the first time at a fantastical, avant-garde party.

Critically acclaimed poet Jaye Simpson strives to write their next book amidst a career
gaining momentum in a literary industry that doesn’t always know what to do with them.

This experiential and textural film invites viewers into the inner workings of a mind to ponder the ways in which we love and unlove ourselves.

A journey into Aly’s world and their personal growth through the eyes of their new furry, Eden.

A bittersweet collection of moments between three roommates faced with an imminent move.

A young trans man returns to his family’s farm in rural southern Ontario following his grandfather’s death where he must navigate the discomforts of familial rural life with his father.

When her roommate is outed, Margot is forced to spend the evening with his disgruntled sister, discovering just how deep the family’s internalized homophobia runs.

The Jennings family are having a regular suburban Sunday dinner. Mother wants everything to be perfect. Father wants everyone to drink, which Sister refuses to do. And Brother keeps texting his husband, even though no phones are allowed at the table. Just as tensions reach a boiling point, an unwanted guest arrives: Frank, Father’s wayward brother. To what ends will Mother, Father, Sister, and Brother go to get rid of Frank? With a great cast, including Mindy Cohn and Enrico Colantoni as Mother and Father, this over-the-top comedy thriller shows that when parents and children work together, they can overcome any obstacle.

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

Ontario Premiere

Filmmaker Regan Latimer takes an insightful, immersive, and deeply personal look at
Queer representation in television, and the power of the media to shape how we see ourselves. Witty, fast-paced, and laced with pop culture references, Regan journeys across North America and beyond in her quest to understand the forces that influence the stories we see on our screens. Original animation and personal anecdotes are interwoven with wide-ranging conversations with television insiders, LGBTQ+ community advocates, and people who just love to watch TV. As Latimer navigates an ever-evolving media landscape, the filmmaker learns firsthand that representation done well has the power to transform.

World Premiere