For Julia, facing life after the loss of her partner seems like an impossible task. But León, their son, is the fuel to keep going. Nothing is easy after Barby’s death, between the return of León’s biological father, Barby’s mother’s distant attitude, and the struggle to keep their restaurant open. Outstanding performances by a talented ensemble of actors add complexity and honesty to their roles, enhancing a well-crafted narrative. Directing duo Andi Nachon and Papu Curotto bring us a story about love, grief, and a little bit of family chaos. León is a tale about the joyous and difficult task of loving and understanding one another.

Canadian Premiere

A year in the life within the world’s most iconic homonormative community: Fire Island Pines. Situated 50 miles from New York City, this storied queer beach town finds itself in the midst of a renaissance, as a new generation of millennial homeowners reimagine The Pines for a new, more inclusive era. Filmed like a Frederick Wiseman movie on magic mushrooms, a large cast of unforgettable eccentrics, activists, drifters, and first timers reflect on the legacy of The Pines, while preparing their beloved village for the biggest challenge it has faced since the AIDS crisis: rising sea levels caused by climate change.

Toronto Premiere

Please note: This film will screen with Closed Captions.

How do you raise a child when your own mother abandoned you? In a remarkable story of healing and forgiveness, Jamaican-American poet and LGBTQ+ activist Staceyann Chin, renowned for performances in Def Poetry Jam and hit solo shows like MotherStruck!, radically re-imagines the essential art of mothering. In seeking her elusive mother—a trail that leads to Brooklyn, Montreal, Cologne and, finally, Jamaica—Staceyann and her daughter forge a new sense of home.

The First Women follows a group of women nearing their 60s who live in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro and share a common past: they were a part of the first ever women’s soccer team in Brazil. However, travelling around the world playing football in the 1980s and ‘90s did not guarantee them any notoriety. Today, most of them make their living from informal jobs, such as street vendors, Uber drivers, chefs, and construction workers. The film intimately reflects on the past, while following present day routines alongside consecutive matches played by the Brazilian men’s team in the World Cup. What is revealed is the incredible, and previously ignored, history of the first female national team to represent the country of football.

North American 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

Have you had the pleasure of meeting Canada’s gayest family? Unusually Normal (Our Gay Family) follows three generations of women in one family who, get this, are all gay. Set against the backdrop of their loving and wholly authentic household, this family, with over 165,000 devoted TikTok followers, invites you into their world – a world where normal takes on a whole new meaning. As we traverse through three distinct eras alongside these extraordinary women, we witness their unwavering resilience in the face of adversity. From navigating the tumultuous waters of homophobia to grappling with profound family loss and navigating the complexities of clandestine love, theirs is a story of triumph against all odds.

World Premiere

Past and present collide as an Iranian American trans man time-travels through an LGBTQ+ archive on a dizzying quest to unravel his own sexual desires. Director Jules Rosskam blends reality and imagination to bring to life a documentary like no other. Through an erotic and caring lens, Rosskam delves into an exploration of transmasculine sexuality throughout history. Lead performers Theo Germaine and Aden Hakimi’s undeniable chemistry leaps off the screen, adding a new layer to this already enriching story. Desire Lines is an awe-inspiring journey through trans history that deserves to be preserved.

Toronto Premiere

Singer Dalton Harris’s dreams came true when he won The X Factor in the UK in 2018. But the joy of winning was mixed with pain when people back home in Jamaica threatened boycotts and violence against him, perceiving Dalton to be gay after seeing a photo of him sitting on a man’s lap. This compelling and honest documentary by acclaimed director Kim Longinotto and newcomer Franky Murray Brown looks at a talented artist working to overcome a childhood filled with poverty and violence and find success in the face of mental health challenges, amidst the struggle to be open about his sexuality.

This film contains discussions around homophobia.

Canadian Premiere

Dennis Peron is San Francisco’s biggest pot dealer. But when the AIDS epidemic sweeps through his community, Peron realizes that marijuana is more than a good time – it’s medicine. In the wake of his lover’s death, Peron opens the Cannabis Buyers’ Club, a five-storey dispensary complete with rainbow murals, drag shows, and onsite doctors. Even as law enforcement launch a multimillion-dollar investigation into the club, Peron has larger aspirations, writing a landmark political initiative and leading the fight for change. Following the life of Dennis Peron, Join the Club uncovers the Queer history of marijuana legalization in America.

North American Premiere

Filmed during The Teaches of Peaches anniversary tour in 2022, this documentary seamlessly weaves together exclusive archival gems with dynamic tour footage, capturing the transformative journey of local superstar Merrill Nisker into the internationally acclaimed cultural powerhouse Peaches. From the inception of the stage show to the rigorous rehearsals and riveting performances, the film provides an intimate look at the inner workings of a tour led by this beloved and globally celebrated icon. Her fearless originality has challenged social norms, dismantled stereotypes, and confronted patriarchal power structures. Through biting wit, she advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights and tackles issues of gender and sexual identity, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.