Special Sneak Preview: Chestnut

Jac Cron

Jac Cron

Director

Country

USA

Format

Feature Film

Year

2023

Duration

1 h 27 mins

Stream

Premiere

Interests

Bisexual, Romance, Trans

Rating and Content Advisory

14A

After graduation and a hard breakup, Annie is ready for a new life and a new city. She plans to spend the summer packing up her apartment and saying goodbye to friends, but a chance meeting with an alluring duo makes Annie begin to question her decision to leave. They quickly become entangled in a precarious love triangle, filled with toxic habits and unspoken words. Chestnut, director Jac Cron’s feature debut, is a slow-burning exploration of the desire to belong and the pain of loneliness. Natalia Dyer, Rachel Keller, Danny Ramirez, and Chella Man come together to create this intimate character study with great empathy and sincerity.

Mon May 29, 9:15 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox 3
350 King Street West
Toronto, ON

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Shorts: Sorrow and Joy

Guests

Shruti Parekh

Shruti Parekh

Director

Maria José Maldonaldo

Maria José Maldonaldo

Director

Latavia Young

Latavia Young

Producer

Cecilia Delgado

Cecilia Delgado

Director

Apayauq Reitan

Apayauq Reitan

Subject

A country at war, a competitive athlete, and couples exploring intimacy, this collection of shorts is all about the ups and downs of our queer realities.

Rating and Content Advisory

14A

This program has 7 films.

Sat Jun 03, 2:15 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox 3
350 King Street West
Toronto, ON

Buy Tickets

Co-Presented by

It's a Date

Nadia Parfan

Nadia Parfan

Director

A car races at breakneck speed through Kyiv at dawn. This contemporary remake of the French short film It’s a Date captures the heightened emotions caused by the war.

Country

Year

2023

Duration

5 mins

Interests

Esperanza

Shruti Parekh

Shruti Parekh

Director

When an immigrant taxi driver in upstate New York takes an undocumented couple to the Canadian border, they find themselves at odds.

Country

United States

Year

2022

Duration

18 mins

Interests

MY FIERCE AUNT BIANCA

María José Maldonaldo

María José Maldonaldo

Director

While planning a birthday party for her late aunt Bianca, María José Maldonado revisits the past in order to celebrate and correct Bianca’s legacy.

Country

United States

Year

2023

Duration

10 mins

Interests

Young Mom

Cecilia Delgado

Cecilia Delgado

Director

A young Latinx woman kidnaps the child she nannies to satisfy her girlfriend’s desire to start a family.

Country

Brazil

Year

2022

Duration

15 mins

Interests

As You Are

Daisy Friedman

Daisy Friedman

Director

When an interabled queer couple spends the night together for the first time, they must confront their complex relationships with desire, sexuality, and bodily autonomy.

Country

United States

Year

2023

Duration

14 mins

Interests

Apayauq

Zeppelin Zeerip

Zeppelin Zeerip

Director

Apayauq Reitan’s journey to become the first out transgender woman to complete the legendary Iditarod sled dog race.

Country

United States

Year

2022

Duration

16 mins

Interests

Untitled Movie

Annie Brennen

Annie Brennen

Director

Zoe is making a movie about a woman who is making a movie. In it, her character must kiss a woman.

Country

United States

Year

2022

Duration

11 mins

Interests

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From parenthood to plant care, this collection of shorts highlights the work of Canadian filmmakers creating from coast to coast.

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Shorts: Thrive

Guests

Connie Glachan

Connie Glachan

Director

Inside Out’s specially-curated program showcasing the work of trans and non binary filmmakers. Curated by and for the trans* community.

Rating and Content Advisory

14A | Sexual Content. Scenes containing graphic sexual content and nudity.

This program has 8 films.

Fri Jun 02, 9:30 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox 3
350 King Street West
Toronto, ON

Buy Tickets

Screening Sponsor

Neil Betteridge

Always, Asifa

Shiva Raichandani

Shiva Raichandani

Director

As Asifa prepares to finally undergo gender affirmation surgery, the disabled trans activist – who is also Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen – reflects on her life.

Country

United Kingdom

Year

2022

Duration

20 mins

Interests

Virtual GIRL

Connie Glachan

Connie Glachan

Director

Aqua Venus provides a personalised fever dream to help YOU discover what being a woman means!

Country

Canada

Year

2022

Duration

5 mins

Interests

Here, Hopefully

Hao Zhou

Hao Zhou

Director

Zee, a nonbinary aspiring nurse from China, strives to build a gender-affirming life in rural Iowa.

Country

United States

Year

2023

Duration

11 mins

Interests

Bigger on the Inside

Angelo Madsen Minax

Angelo Madsen Minax

Director

Through snowy stargazing, flirting with guys on dating apps, taking ketamine (or not), and watching YouTube lecture videos, outer and inner space collapse.

Country

United States

Year

2022

Duration

12 mins

Interests

Yes, Goddess

Randa Jarrar

Randa Jarrar

Director

A group of queer femmes and their lovers gather at a kink party for the first time since 2019.

Country

United States

Year

2022

Duration

11 mins

Interests

Cupid Into Transmutation

Spndex

Spndex

Director

Caesar, a trans camboy on the run from his traumatic past, is shocked when his body starts to violently morph and transform beyond all recognition.

Country

Netherlands

Year

2022

Duration

13 mins

Interests

Golden Voice

Mars Verrone

Mars Verrone

Director

Forty years after the Khmer Rouge regime, a transgender man returns to the village where he survived the genocide.

Country

United States

Year

0

Duration

18 mins

Interests

GORDITX

Malik Ever

Malik Ever

Director

With her summer camp golf tournament looming, outcast Ursula hopes to win and prove her worth with the help of Chef Cormac, the transmasculine former ladies golf pro.

Country

United States

Year

2022

Duration

14 mins

Interests

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From raves to resistance, this collection of shorts highlights the work of local queer storytellers making films that explore the multitudes this city has to offer.

Runs in the Family

Ian Gabriel

Ian Gabriel

Director

Country

South Africa

Format

Feature film

Year

2023

Duration

1 h 47 mins

Previous Festivals/Awards

Stream

Premiere

Interests

Drag, Trans

Guests

Gabe Gabriel

Gabe Gabriel

Writer

Shant Joshi

Shant Joshi

Producer

In this witty father-son story, we are introduced to Varun, a former scammer, and River, a trans drag performer, as they venture on a road trip across South Africa to rescue River’s long-lost mother from a rehab clinic in eSwatini. River’s only worry is missing Her Vajesty’s Drag Competition and the opportunity to win the prize money to pay for his top surgery. With secrets bubbling to the surface and a competition to win, their relationship will be tested like never before. Ian and Gabe Gabriel, the family duo behind “Runs in the Family”, bring us a heartfelt story about acceptance, community, and unconditional love. There is nothing stronger than familial love, whether biological or chosen!

Thu Jun 01, 9:15 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
350 King Street West
Toronto, ON

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Screening Sponsor

Co-Presented by

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Something You Said Last Night

Luis De Filippis

Luis De Filippis

Director

Country

Canada

Format

Feature film

Year

2022

Duration

1 h 36 mins

Previous Festivals/Awards

Stream

Spotlight on Canada

Interests

Canadian, RE:Focus, Trans

Rating and Content Advisory

14A

Guests

Carmen Madonia

Carmen Madonia

Cast

Luis De Filippis

Luis De Filippis

Director

Ren reluctantly accompanies her very Italian family on a beach resort holiday. As her younger sister makes friends and parties, Ren navigates a resort that does not cater to her and struggles to cope with her parents’ loving yet overbearing nature, trying to balance the yearning for independence with the comfort of being taken care of. Looming in the back of Ren’s mind is the secret of her recent dismissal from work, and that once the holiday is over, she will need to rely even more on her family’s support.

Thu Jun 01, 7:00 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox 3
350 King Street West
Toronto, ON

Buy Tickets

Screening Sponsor

Co-Presented by

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Mutt

Vuk Lungulov-Klotz

Vuk Lungulov-Klotz

Country

United States

Format

Feature film

Year

2023

Duration

1 h 27 mins

Previous Festivals/Awards

Stream

International Showcase

Interests

International, Latinx, Trans

Rating and Content Advisory

14A | Sexual Content. Scenes containing sexual content.

Guests

Vuk Lungulov-Klotz

Vuk Lungulov-Klotz

Director

Over the course of a single hectic day in New York City, three people from Feña’s past are thrust back into his life. Having lost touch since transitioning, he navigates the new dynamics of his relationships with his father, his younger half-sister, and his ex-boyfriend all while tackling the day-to-day challenges of living life in-between. This thoughtful drama delves into the complexity of both being trans and Latinx in today’s America.

Wed May 31, 6:45 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox 3
350 King Street West
Toronto, ON

Buy Tickets

Screening Sponsor

Co-Presented by

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20 000 Species of Bees (20,000 epecies de abejas)

Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren

Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren

Director

Country

Spain

Format

Feature film

Year

2023

Duration

2 h 9 mins

Previous Festivals/Awards

Stream

Premiere

Interests

Trans, Youth

Rating and Content Advisory

PG

An eight-year-old child struggles with the fact that people keep addressing her in confusing ways; her birth name feels very wrong, and her nickname Cocó doesn’t feel quite right either. During a summer in the Basque Country among the beehives, she explores her name and identity alongside her mother and the women of her family, who at the same time reflect on their own lives and desires. Much like a beehive, 20,000 Species of Bees examines a space predominantly run by women, exploring with great care, the incredible complexity of gender identity.

Tue May 30, 9:15 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
350 King Street West
Toronto, ON

Buy Tickets

Co-Presented by

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Centrepiece Gala: Supporting Our Selves

Lulu Wei

Lulu Wei

Director

Country

Canada

Format

Feature film

Year

2023

Duration

1 h 15 mins

Previous Festivals/Awards

Stream

Galas and Special Presentations

Interests

Activism, Aging/Elders, BIPOC Stories, Bisexual, Canadian, Gay, Lesbian, Queer, RE:Focus, Trans

Rating and Content Advisory

PG

Guests

Jenn Mason

Jenn Mason

Producer

Lulu Wei

Lulu Wei

Director

Founded in 1980 as the Gay Community Appeal, Community One Foundation has from the start raised funds for an array of community projects and organizations, with the organization and its name evolving along with the community itself. What started as a predominantly white, middle-class collective redefined itself during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and ’90s and continues to adapt today to better meet the needs of our Toronto communities. Supporting Our Selves is a moving exploration of more than four decades of activism, told through the lens of the Toronto-based philanthropic organization.

Tue May 30, 6:45 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
350 King Street West
Toronto, ON

Buy Tickets

Screening Sponsors

Andrew Mainprize & Philip Kocev

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A Place of Our Own (Ek Jagah Apni)

Ektara Collective

Ektara Collective

Director

Country

India

Format

Feature film

Year

2023

Duration

1 h 28 mins

Previous Festivals/Awards

Stream

International Showcase

Interests

BIPOC Stories, South Asian, Trans

Rating and Content Advisory

14A | Transphobic Violence. Scenes detailing transphobic violence.

Trans women Laila and Roshni are looking for housing after they are evicted from their rental. It soon becomes evident that their search for a home is also their ongoing search for a place in a society that wants to push them aside. As their search continues, we realise it transcends physical spaces and biological bonds, and as new friendships blossom, help arrives from unexpected places. A timely and essential film, A Place of Our Own was created by the Ektara Collective, an independent collective seeking to make films aesthetically located in their own realities and experiences.

Sun May 28, 9:00 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
350 King Street West
Toronto ON

Buy Tickets

Screening Sponsors

Chris Chin

Co-Presented by

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Shorts: Something Real

Guests

Levi Eddie Aluede

Levi Eddie Aluede

Director

Snakes, the sea, and unexpected visitors, this collection of shorts explores relationships with everyone from ourselves and our partners to strangers.

Rating and Content Advisory

14A

This program has 7 films.

Sun May 28, 6:45 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
350 King Street West
Toronto, ON

Buy Tickets

Screening Sponsors

Gary and William Klein

Co-Presented by

You Can Stay Over (If You Want)

Zach Siegel

Zach Siegel

Director

After a hookup, John and Alex test the limits of what’s TMI.

Country

United States

Year

2022

Duration

10 mins

Interests

An Eighth Of Him

Levi Eddie Aluede

Levi Eddie Aluede

Director

Stoic drug dealer Kadell begins spending more time with one of his new buyers, leading to self-reflection as they form a deep and unexpected bond.

Country

United Kingdom

Year

2023

Duration

11 mins

Interests

Will You Look At Me

Shuli Huang

Shuli Huang

Director

A young Chinese filmmaker returns to his hometown and engages in an overdue conversation with his mother, leading them on a quest for acceptance and love.

Country

China

Year

2022

Duration

20 mins

Interests

9th floor to the right

Andrea Romano

Andrea Romano

Director

Lorenzo prepares to receive Marvin for the first time but when he shows up at his door with a guest, Lorenzo doesn’t dare say no.

Country

France

Year

2022

Duration

16 mins

Interests

i get so sad sometimes

Trishtan Tala Perez

Trishtan Tala Perez

Director

In the town of Pagadian, a gay teenager eagerly waits for a mature man to reveal his face after developing an anonymous sexual relationship with him online.

Country

Philippines

Year

2021

Duration

20 mins

Interests

The Dalles

Angalis Field

Angalis Field

Director

When a handsome cyclist passes through and asks for directions to a local cruising site, Cam takes it as an invitation to follow him.

Country

United States

Year

2022

Duration

12 mins

Interests

Christopher at Sea

Tom CJ Brown

Tom CJ Brown

Director

After checking in as a passenger onboard a cargo ship, Christopher begins to question his sanity and his perception of time.

Country

France

Year

2022

Duration

20 mins

Interests

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Shorts: BOLD

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Shorts: Sorrow and Joy

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Guest In Attendance
+

Shorts: Joking

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