Film and television has a unique power to shift hearts and minds for the better when it comes to LGBTQ+ people. This year, we have seen a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills launched nationwide. This means that it is more important than ever to uplift LGBTQ+ stories to bring them to wide audiences.
The Tribeca Film Festival, founded in 2002 by Robert DeNiro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in the wake of 9/11, has been a launching pad for the latest rising indie talent for two decades.
This year, 61% of their lineup is helmed by female, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQ+ directors. We are excited to see one of the top film festivals in the country fully embracing the need to uplift marginalized voices in an era when they are increasingly under attack.
There are a total of 20 LGBTQ+ themed features and shorts at this year’s festival. They are:
NARRATIVE FEATURES
ATTACHMENT
Midnight (Denmark) – Feature Narrative, International Premiere.
Maja and Leah’s new relationship is interrupted when mysterious things start happening in their London flat. It seems that Leah’s disapproving mother, who lives downstairs, is using Jewish folklore to come between them. In Danish and English with English subtitles. Directed and written by Gabriel Bier Gislason. Produced by Thomas Heinesen. With Josephine Park, Ellie Kendrick, Sofie Gråbøl, David Dencik. A Shudder release.
BLESSED BOYS
Online Premieres (Italy) – Feature Narrative, North American Premiere.
In a sunny district of Naples where everyone knows each other, Mario and Lino, two inseparable friends, live day by day in the monotony of neighborhood life until their fraternal friendship is put to the test. Directed by Silvia Brunelli. Written by Silvia Brunelli and Francesca Scanu. Produced by Valentina Quarantini. With Francesco Pellegrino, Vincenzo Antonucci, Sofia Guastaferro, Pina Di Gennaro.
BREAKING THE ICE
Viewpoints (Austria) – Feature Narrative, World Premiere.
An Austrian woman escapes from the pressure of running her family’s vineyard by playing ice hockey. Then a new player arrives to challenge her rigid worldview, leading to a life-changing night on the streets of Vienna. Directed and written by Clara Stern. Produced by Michael Kitzberger, Wolfgang Widerhofer, Nikolaus Geyrhalter, Markus Glaser. With Alina Schaller, Judith Altenberger, Tobias Resch. In German with English subtitles.
GOD SAVE THE QUEENS
Online Premieres (United States) – Feature Narrative, World Premiere.
A quartet of drag queens meet on a group therapy retreat that will change their lives forever. Directed and written by Jordan Danger. Produced by Cecile Cubilo. With Justin Andrew Honard AKA Alaska Thunderfuck, Jay Jackson AKA Laganja Estranja, Kelly Mantle, Jordan Michael Green, Peter Facinelli, Michelle Visage, Joaquim De Almeida, Lunell, Zack Gottsagen.
MARS ONE
Critics Week (Brazil) – Feature Narrative, New York Premiere.
In this tender drama, a Brazilian family copes with an uncertain future as a far-right conservative leader rises to power. Through this time of turbulent change, the family’s optimism and deep capacity for love guides them through. Directed and written by Gabriel Martins. Produced by Thiago Macêdo Correia, André Novais Oliveira, Gabriel Martins, Maurilio Martins. With Rejane Faria, Carlos Francisco, Camilla Damiao, Cicero Lucas. In Portuguese with English subtitles. A Magnolia Release.
PETIT MAL
Viewpoints (Colombia) – Feature Narrative, World Premiere. In director Ruth Caudeli’s latest collaborative chronicle of queer life, three charismatic women living in an intimate, passionate partnership must learn to navigate the shift in their dynamic when one lover is called away for a long-term project. Directed and written by Ruth Caudeli. Produced by Ruth Caudeli, Sara Larrota, Ovella Blava Films. With Ruth Caudeli, Ana María Otálora, Silvia Varón. In Spanish with English subtitles.
THREE HEADED BEAST
US Competition (United States) – Feature Narrative, World Premiere.
In this poetic exploration of love and suppressed communication, the foundation of a bisexual couple’s healthy open relationship starts to show its cracks. Directed and written by Fernando Andres, Tyler Rugh. Produced by Fernando Andrés, Lisa Freberg, Tyler Rugh. With Cody Shook, Jacob Schatz, Dani Hurtado, Daniel Abramson, Paul Grant, Sarah Bartholomew.
YOU CAN LIVE FOREVER
Viewpoints (Canada) – Feature Narrative, World Premiere.
Two teenage girls begin a secret relationship in a strict Jehovah’s Witness community. Directed and written by Sarah Watts, Mark Slutsky. Produced by Robert Vroom. With Anwen O’Driscoll, June Laporte, Liane Balaban, Deragh Campbell, Tim Campbell, Antoine Yared. In English, French with English subtitles.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY
Spotlight Documentary (United States) – Feature Documentary, World Premiere.
A nostalgic and colorful peek behind the pages and personalities of International Male, one of the most ubiquitous and sought-after mail-order catalogs of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Directed by Bryan Darling, Jesse Finley Reed, written by Peter Jones, produced by Peter Jones, Bryan Darling, Jesse Finley Reed, Taylor Vracin-Harrell. With Carson Kressley, Matt Bomer.
LUCKY
Online Premieres (France) – Feature Documentary, World Premiere.
A transcendent portrait of a model, musician, dancer, and drag queen, Lucky follows Luc Bruyère as he travels from Paris to Berlin. Having lost his left arm to Agenesis, Luc has a lust for life, always elevating his art. Directed by Loren Denis, Anthony Vibert. Written by Loren Denis, Anthony Vibert. Produced by Benjamin Duval, Jean-Pierre Gavini, François-Charles Le Goff. With Luc Bruyère.
SHORTS FILMS IN COMPETITION
FRAUD, (United States) – North American Premiere, Short Narrative. A trans rocker girl getting by with petty credit card fraud is left to question who she wants to be when her latest target surprises her with an unforeseen proposition. Directed by Zen Pace. Written by Dana Aliya Levinson. Produced by K. Dawn Dumas, Gretchen Wylder, Erikx DiSantis, Amanda Mesaikos, Katie Rosin. With Dana Aliya Levinson, Babak Tafti, Mike Meth.
THE DREAMLIFE OF GEORGIE STONE, (Australia) – World Premiere, Short Documentary.
Spanning 19 years, The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone reveals the memories of Georgie, an Australian transgender teen, as she changes laws, affirms her gender, finds her voice, and enters adulthood. Directed by Maya Newell. Produced by Sophie Hyde, Lisa Sherrard, Matt Bate, Maya Newell. With Georgie Stone, Rebekah Robertson, Greg Stone, Harry Stone.
THE HOUSE OF LABEIJA, (United States) – World Premiere, Short Documentary. A short documentary film that pays homage to the House of LaBeija through a series of letters from its members. Directed and produced by Fredgy Noël. Written by Samil LaBeija, Krystal LaBeija, Jasmine Rice LaBeija, Bougie LaBeija, Jeffrey Bryant, Diovanna LaBeija, Vivian LaBeija. With Vivian LaBeija, Samil LaBeija, Krystal LaBeija, Jasmine Rice LaBeija, Bougie LaBeija, Jeffrey Bryant, Diovanna LaBeija.
LGBTQIA+ Shorts Program: SEE ME, FEEL ME
Online Premieres, Curated by Lucy Mukerjee
These seven short films span the queer experience with humor, heart, and hope, showing characters navigating emotionally intense terrain in their search for connection and compassion.
MY DEAR BOY, directed and written by Leaf Lieber. Produced by Leaf Lieber, Xulani Akel. (United States) – Short Narrative.
Within the first few seconds of meeting each other, two men experience the rise and collapse of their destined relationship through a surreal journey. With Juan Cortes, Tyler Givens.
WORK, directed and written by April Maxey. Produced by Skylar Andrews. (United States) – Short Narrative.
Unable to move on from a breakup, Gabriela impulsively drops into an old job, where she unexpectedly runs into a friend from her past. With Marisela Zumbado, Elaine Whae.
DOGFRIEND (Hundefreund), directed by Maissa Lihedheb. Written by Lamin Leroy Gibba. Produced by Sailesh Naidu. (Germany) – Short Narrative.
A date takes an unexpected turn in this meditation on race, politics, and history in Germany. With Lamin Leroy Gibba, Til Schindler. In German with English subtitles.
VALENTINE, directed and written by Beck Kitsis, Chris McNabb. Produced by Katy Drake Bettner, Zach Fleming, Beck Kitsis. (United States) – Short Narrative.
With gender and identity in flux, Corey and Mia struggle to redefine their relationship. With Jacob Tobia, Sadie Scott.
COMING OUT WITH THE HELP OF A TIME MACHINE, directed by Naman Gupta. Written by Naman Gupta, Janki Parikh. Produced by Neetu Sharma Gupta, James Orfanos. (United States) – Short Narrative.
When coming out to his traditional Indian parents, Sid uses his time machine to reset the day in an attempt to make sure everything goes perfectly. With Karan Soni, Sangeeta Agrawal, Raghuram Shetty.
INNER WOUND REAL, directed and written by Carrie Hawks. Produced by Chelsea Moore. (United States) – Short Documentary.
Inner Wound Real relays the story of three BIPOC folks who self-injure, then find new ways to cope.
F^¢K ‘€M R!GHT B@¢K, directed by Harris Doran. Written by Harris Doran, Emmanuel ‘DDm’ Williams. Produced by Doris Casap, Harris Doran, James Burkhalter, Haley Geffen. (United States) – Short Narrative.
In order to avoid being fired after having accidentally taken drugs, a queer Black rapper must outwit his boss at his day job. With Emmanuel ‘DDm’ Williams, Kara Young, Catherine Curtin.
The Tribeca Festival will be held from June 8-19 in New York.
To view Tribeca’s full lineup, click here.
For more information on the LGBTQ+ events at Tribeca, click here.
This piece was authored by Dana Levison.