35 Years Strong: Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival Unveils Its Landmark Anniversary Program!
Festival opens with Elena Oxman’s poignant drama Outerlands and closes with Award-Winning filmmaker Allan Deberton’s musical The Best Friend. Catch the Canadian Premiere of Emmy® nominee Zackary Drucker’s compelling new documentary Enigma – and calling all ‘Little Debbies’ to the Emmy® Award-winning Hacks Season Finale Watch Party, in partnership with Crave.
(TORONTO – May 2, 2025) – The Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival returns this May 23 to June 1, 2025, marking 35 years of celebrating bold, brilliant and trailblazing queer cinema from Canada and around the world. The festival’s milestone edition was unveiled last night at a special launch event at Toronto’s historic Paradise Theatre. A full house of film lovers and industry insiders gathered to get a first look at this year’s programming. Inside Out 2025 promises a rich cinematic journey with 28 feature films and 69 shorts representing over 20 countries. Screenings will be held at TIFF Lightbox, and films will also be available online across Ontario.
Opening this year’s festival is the Canadian Premiere of Outerlands, the striking debut feature from Elena Oxman, fresh off its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival where it earned a coveted Grand Jury Award nomination. This deeply resonant drama follows Cass, who finds themself unexpectedly caring for their longtime crush’s 11-year-old daughter, an experience that forces them to confront the unresolved trauma of their own turbulent childhood. Closing out the festival is the Canadian Premiere of The Best Friend, a heartfelt Brazilian gem that explores the quiet ache of reconnection, as two best friends reunite after five years apart. Amid the swirl of change, the spark of an old feeling flickers back to life.
“We are thrilled to welcome audiences back for the 35th annual Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival.” said Elie Chivi, Executive Director of Inside Out. “In a challenging landscape for film festivals and queer organizations, we are profoundly grateful to our members, donors, and partners. Their unwavering loyalty and support make this festival possible and help propel us into the future.”
“For our anniversary, we looked back to move forward—honouring the iconic films and filmmakers that shaped us, while championing bold new voices from around the world,” said Jenna Dufton, Festival Director of Inside Out. “After 35 years, one thing remains true: Inside Out is where we come together to reflect, to advocate, and to ensure 2SLGBTQ+ stories are seen. This year’s Festival—and the films it showcases—serve as a powerful reminder of that truth, and of why Queer spaces continue to matter.”
This year, Inside Out brings two Emmy® contenders to the big screen. One of the festival’s most anticipated documentaries, Enigma, directed by Emmy® nominated filmmaker Zackary Drucker, takes the spotlight at this year’s Re:Focus Gala. Following its acclaimed premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, Enigma dives deep into the lives and legacies of icons—Amanda Lear and April Ashley—whose identities were contested throughout their lives. Enigma is a mesmerizing portrayal of gender, fame and reclamation. Festival goers will also have the chance to attend the Season Finale Watch Party of the Emmy® Award-winning comedy Hacks presented in partnership with Crave. This special event invites fans to gather, laugh and revel in one of television’s sharpest and most beloved series.
The festival’s Centrepiece Gala is Cactus Pears, a romantic drama that marks the feature directorial debut of Rohan Parashuram Kanawade. This compelling co-production between India, Canada and the United Kingdom, won the 2025 Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize. The film follows Anand, a man returning to his hometown after a family loss, and reconnects with his childhood friend Balya in a tender love story.
Among this year’s standout selections are a wave of must-see films, including the World Premiere of the dazzling Canadian IndigiQueer musical Starwalker; the Canadian Premieres of The Crowd, a candid portrayal of Gen-Z/Millennial social dynamics; SALLY, National Geographic’s award-winning documentary about pioneering astronaut Sally Ride, and the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival award nominees Dreams in Nightmares and The Nature of Invisible Things.
Also, not to be missed are the International Showcase films, including the International Premiere of Chris Coats first feature documentary Flamingo Camp and Kimberly Reed’s Paris is Burning follow up I’m Your Venus; the Canadian Premieres of the Sundance hit Rains Over Babel and the multi-award winning thriller Ponyboi; and notable Canadian documentaries featured in the Icons section, the undeniable Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance and the thought-provoking World Premiere of Unlabelled.
Festival Director Jenna Dufton heads the programming team with programming staff Lu Linares and Claire Jarvis, and programmers Ferdosa Abdi, Syriah Bailey, Rasheed Bailey, Cailin Ball, Ashley Bodika, Ferrin Evans, Allia McLeod, Nik Redman, Raphael Sanchez, and Scott Smart.
For the full Festival program, schedule and to purchase tickets, please visit our Festival homepage.