New Leadership, New Vision
The festival opens with the Canadian premiere of Adam Shankman’s star-studded comedy Stop! That! Train!, starring drag icon RuPaul, and closes with the world premiere of the intimate documentary Heals, from award-winning filmmaker Pailin Wedel Highlights include Give Me the Ball!, spotlighting trailblazing tennis legend Billie Jean King, and the Canadian premiere of the coming-of-age psychological thriller Leviticus.
(TORONTO – April 30, 2026) – The Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival returns May 22 to May 31, 2026, with an expansive and vibrant program celebrating queer storytelling from around the world. Tickets are now on sale at Insideout.ca.
The 2026 lineup was revealed today during a media conference at Red Head Gallery in Toronto, where media, film lovers and industry insiders gathered for a first look at the upcoming program.
This year’s festival features 29 feature films and 72 shorts from more than 20 countries. Screenings will take place at TIFF Lightbox, with a selection of titles available to stream Ontario-wide.
Opening the festival is the Canadian premiere of the outrageous comedy Stop! That! Train! from Adam Shankman (Hairspray, The Wedding Planner), starring Emmy Award-winner and cultural icon RuPaul, alongside Jujubee and Ginger Minj, two of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s standout Queens. The star-studded cast ensemble also includes Sarah Michelle Gellar, Monét X Change, Matt Rogers, Nicole Richie, Chris Parnell, and Lisa Rinna.
Closing the festival is Heals, an intimate documentary from Pailin Wedel (The Trapped 13: How We Survived the Thai Cave), that received funding through Inside Out’s RE:Focus Fund. The film traces the life of international drag star Pangina Heals, from a traumatic childhood to becoming Asia’s first drag queen with a Las Vegas residency. Adam Shankman, Jujubee and Pangina Heals will be making appearances at the festival.
“Stepping into this role, my goal was to further elevate the diverse voices that the Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival champions, from established filmmakers to emerging talent. I’m incredibly proud of the lineup we’ve curated this year. It’s exciting, heartfelt and deeply entertaining and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it,” said Carly Beath, Executive Director of Inside Out. “The festival would not be possible without the continued support of our community and partners, whose contributions have been integral in bringing it to life”.
“This year’s lineup showcases not only a diversity of voices, but an incredible spectrum of storytelling styles. From absurd comedies to emotionally resonant documentaries to poignant horror, Inside Out highlights films from 2SLGBTQ+ communities across a wide range of forms and perspectives.,” said Jenna Dufton, Festival Director of Inside Out. “This program is a celebration of Queer viewpoints and the many ways we choose to express them.”
Among the festival’s marquee presentations is the RE:Focus Gala selection Give Me the Ball!, a documentary exploring the life and legacy of former World No. 1 tennis player and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King, revealing her personal sacrifices beyond her global impact on sport and equality.
The Centrepiece Gala, I Come Home, marks the world premiere of the emotionally complex debut feature from Canadian director Glen Wood. The film follows a throuple as they navigate an unexpected pregnancy, shifting dynamics and family tensions, set against the backdrop of a wedding that brings everything to surface.
The festival also presents a dynamic slate of premiere features, including the Canadian debuts of the heartfelt Gugu’s World and the romantic drama Iván & Hadoum, both of which premiered at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival and received awards. Also making its Canadian premiere is the Special Presentation Leviticus, directed by Adrian Chiarella, a gripping entry into queer horror. Blending elements of psychological thriller and coming-of-age drama, the film confronts conversion therapy, religious fanaticism, and identity.
Screening for the first time in North America is the documentary Hunky Jesus, exploring the legacy of San Francisco’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s iconic Easter celebration. Making its International premiere is Perfect, an official selection of SXSW Film & TV 2026 and the feature film debut of music video director Millicent Hailes. The post-apocalyptic drama stars Ashley Moore (I Know What You Did Last Summer) and Julia Fox (Uncut Gems). Rounding out the program is the world premiere of Out of the Woods starring Frances Fisher, Mimi Kennedy, and Academy Award Nominee Bruce Davison, a reflective story about memory, friendship and change in a woman’s life.
The Spotlight on Canada program highlights bold and distinctive homegrown storytelling. Titles include Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions, a bold portrait of the queer rock icon as she reclaims her place in music history; the World premiere of In The Closet, a humorous and heartfelt docuseries following comedian Ajahnis Charley as they raid their non-binary besties closets looking to affirm both their identity and their hotness; Lunar Sway, a dark, quirky comedy, set in a small desert town; and Tracy & Martina: Goin’ Out West an offbeat mockumentary about two best friends from Cape Breton as they head to Alberta on tour only to find themselves at risk of getting stuck there for good.
Festival Director Jenna Dufton heads the programming team with programming staff Lu Linares and Claire Jarvis, and programmers Ferdosa Abdi, Syriah Bailey, Cailin Ball, Ashley Bodika, Ferrin Evans, Allia McLeod, Gabriel Souza Nunes, and Nik Redman.