The Besties Brunch collection at this year’s NewFest: The 36th Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival offered an inspiring and thought-provoking lineup of short films that highlight the diversity, resilience, and vibrancy of queer life. Through humor, depth, and heart, each film explored the complexities of love, identity, and community from the perspective of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly queer people of color. These stories not only entertain, but also challenge the audience to reflect on the intersections of gender, race, and sexual identity while providing a platform for narratives that are often overlooked in mainstream media.
What made this collection stand out was its unapologetic embrace of queerness in all its forms—whether it was through intimate moments of connection, moments of defiance, or candid portrayals of everyday life. The collection invited viewers into spaces where queer people can truly be themselves, where family is chosen, and where resistance against erasure, discrimination, and gentrification is a daily act. Each short film served as a reminder of the importance of creating and preserving spaces that center marginalized voices, and the power of storytelling to foster both personal and collective healing.
This article delves into each of these films in greater detail, exploring how they use humor, emotion, and raw honesty to offer fresh and compelling takes on queer identity and community. Together, they remind us that, while the challenges are many, the joy, love, and connection that come from embracing one’s true self are more powerful than anything else.
City of Dreamz (dir. Imani Celeste)
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City of Dreamz is a captivating exploration of Black queer identity, community, and the sacred artistry of storytelling, all set against the backdrop of a smoke-filled apartment. Four Black art students share their narratives, weaving a tapestry of memories and encounters that speak to the profound spiritual connections that shape their lives. Directed by Imani Celeste, this film invites viewers into an intimate, playful, and deeply personal space where each story flows freely like the smoke they exhale, interwoven with moments of divine intervention and personal revelation.
From the moment the film begins, the viewer is drawn into the warmth of its setting. The golden amber lighting bathes the characters in a nostalgic glow, emphasizing the feeling of intimacy and belonging. As the four friends sit in a circle—an intentional motif underscoring unity and spiritual communion—they share stories of love, loss, exes, and self-discovery. Their words float in the air like smoke, both ethereal and grounded in truth, as they reflect on pivotal moments in their lives. One of the most striking stories involves a realization about self discovery and self-acceptance: “I wanted to be just like her, I’m a pretty girl, but she was stunning” — and that’s how I got into drag.
The film uses subtle visual techniques to blur the line between reality and memory. For instance, the reenactments of their stories shift fluidly between the present circle of friends and the past events they’re describing. The editing is dynamic, often playing with perspective and sound to enhance the feeling of being both “here” and “elsewhere.” When one of the characters recounts an emotional moment of dance and spiritual connection—”I just want to make her proud”—the film evokes a sense of otherworldliness through the echo of drumbeats that envelop the narrative, allowing viewers to feel the connection between body, soul, and spirit.
What makes City of Dreamz even more special is its embrace of diegetic sounds—the rhythm of drums, the distant hum of voices, the quiet exhale of smoke—creating a sense of being truly present in the moment. As one character reflects, “School wasn’t what I thought it was, but now I’m smoking here with y’all—that’s divine timing.” This line encapsulates the essence of the film: finding belonging in unexpected places and embracing the divinity in everyday experiences.
Dark Roast (dir. Mark Marquez)
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Dark Roast is a gritty, darkly comedic tale set in a small queer/trans BIPOC-run cafe threatened by corporate greed. Directed by Mark Marquez, this short film offers a biting commentary on the importance of community spaces and the lengths we go to protect them. The film’s premise is simple: a queer/trans BIPOC cafe, an essential haven for marginalized people, faces closure due to poor sales. The workers, led by the charismatic Cyan, will stop at nothing to ensure the cafe remains a staple in their neighborhood—even if it means resorting to extreme measures.
The opening scene immediately sets the tone, as the cafe owner informs the staff that they will have to shut down due to a lack of business. The microaggressions and prejudices the characters face are evident from the start, as one of the subletters dismissively refers to the group as “the alphabet soup crew,” a clear reminder of how the queer community is often reduced to a monolithic stereotype. This casual yet pointed racism and homophobia sets the stage for the cafe’s struggle to survive.
The film’s humor and sharp wit become apparent as the characters scramble to come up with creative ways to save the cafe. A failed party night—a night that ends with only one guest, who humorously reveals he’s only there to “tinkle”—adds an extra layer of absurdity to the narrative. That humor turns to horror when one member of the crew swiftly enters the cafe. “Don’t go near the glass,” she cryptically warns before exiting the frame. The audience, however, is quickly clued in when the camera cuts to an exterior shot of the building—now engulfed in flames. The fire’s crackling sound is the final, chilling punctuation to the film’s chaotic climax. Did Cyan do it for the insurance money, or just to watch it all burn down? It’s unclear, but what remains certain is that their power and agency remain intact through the very end.
This abrupt yet satisfying conclusion speaks to the lengths the characters will go to protect their community space. The symbolic use of fire—as a destructive but purging force—echoes the film’s underlying theme of resistance against erasure and the refusal to bow down to oppressive forces. Dark Roast captures the complexities of survival and rebellion in the face of corporate and societal erasure, all while maintaining a sharp edge of humor.
And Then There Was Her (dir. Alexander King)
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And Then There Was Her is a heartwarming and beautifully intimate exploration of queer love, identity, and the complexities of relationships within the queer community. Set during a Friendsgiving dinner, the film follows two women—one masculine-presenting and one transgender—as they navigate their connection amidst the chaos of a shared holiday meal. Directed by Alexander King, this short film deftly captures the warmth, humor, and tension that often accompanies the early stages of a relationship.
The film opens with a relatable and grounded exchange of playful bickering between two friends, Ebony and Kai, as they plan a holiday dinner. Their light-hearted dialogue—particularly Kai’s reluctance to host and her humorous protests about having everyone over at her place—immediately draws viewers into the dynamic of this endearing friend group. Before the call ends, Kai adamantly declares that no one is allowed to sit in a particular chair emblazoned with the provocative slogan, “Real Love Will Set You On Fire.” This seemingly small detail adds a layer of comedic tension while hinting at the emotional stakes that will unfold.
The film’s visual identity is vibrant and intentional, particularly in its portrayal of diverse gender expressions. As two groups of friends arrive at the house—one group presenting more femme, the other more masculine—the film skillfully captures the rich spectrum of queer identities, all set against an infectious jazz-infused soundtrack. A standout moment occurs when Kai and Aaliyah, a trans woman, share a flirtatious exchange over dinner. Their subtle yet intimate moment of eye contact signals the start of a deeper connection.
Through playful banter and intimate moments, two women—one masculine-presenting and one transgender—navigate the early stages of their connection, celebrating love, acceptance, and community within the queer space.
As the night progresses, the film delves into thought-provoking conversations about community and solidarity, unearthing tensions within the queer community. A heated exchange—“Trans women don’t fuck with us” versus “No, you don’t show up for us or recognize us as women”—stands out as a raw and powerful exploration of intra-community dynamics. These moments are handled with care, creating space for vulnerability while challenging viewers to confront the nuances of allyship and intersectionality.
In the film’s most tender moment, Kai allows Aaliyah to sit in the forbidden chair, an act of acceptance that feels like a quiet but profound gesture of love and inclusion. The film ends on a note of promise and new beginnings, as Aaliyah asks, “What’s so special about this chair?” Kai’s smile as she responds hints at the shared vulnerability and connection that is just beginning to take shape.
And Then There Was Her reminds us of the power of small, intimate moments in fostering connection and love. The film’s playful yet poignant exploration of relationships within the queer community—especially between masc-presenting lesbians and trans women—offers a refreshing take on love, acceptance, and the beauty of queer intimacy.
In a time where queer representation is still a battleground, Besties Brunch shows that there is no singular way to experience queer life. Whether it’s the warmth and playfulness of City of Dreamz directed by Imani Celeste, the rebellious spirit of Dark Roast directed by Mark Marquez, or the tender intimacy of And Then There Was Her directed by Alexander King , this collection encapsulates the multifaceted nature of love and belonging within the queer community. From the playful exchanges to the quiet moments of personal reflection, these films reveal the richness of queer existence while pushing the boundaries of storytelling in exciting and unexpected ways.
As we continue to celebrate and uplift diverse queer voices, the Besties Brunch collection at this year’s NewFest proves once again that the power of love, laughter, and resistance will always find a place to thrive—together.