OPENING NIGHT

THURSDAY, Sept. 17

7:00PM THEATRE ONE: Mineshaft: The Cruising Murders (85 min.) "A fascinating look behind one of cinema's most controversial films, this documentary revisits William Friedkin's Cruising, the real-life murder that inspired it, and the fierce protests it ignited. Blending history, true crime, and queer activism, it explores the complex legacy of a film that continues to provoke debate. Emmy®-winning director Jeffrey Schwarz (Vito, I Am Divine, Tab Hunter Confidential) brings his signature storytelling flair to this gripping chapter of queer history."

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION AFTER THE FILM AND Q&A

FRIDAY, Sept. 18

11:30AM THEATRE ONE: Shorts: Hooking Up (93 min.) DEMONBOY 12 min. A reclusive twenty-something develops an all-consuming obsession with another man he encounters on the internet. Out of Checklist 26 min. Twelve-year-old, hyper-rational David pays an unannounced visit to his father's Prague apartment. Following a coming out and a subsequent divorce, his father lives alone and already has weekend plans. In a pinch, he convinces the only person available – a hook-up from Grindr – to look after David for the weekend. What could possibly go wrong? The Orchestra 18 min. The Orchestra follows Micah, a warm and optimistic gay man searching for a meaningful connection — until one day he meets Vaughn, a seemingly perfect match he encounters in an impulsive moment. As their connection deepens, shifting perspectives reveal how easily desire can blur the boundaries of trust. UNICYCLE 7 min. Brian desperately tries to swipe his way to happiness when a strange encounter reveals that he may be looking for love in all the wrong places. Zaddy! 30 min. After fifteen years of marriage, newly divorced 55-year-old doctor Walter Connelly attempts to re-enter the gay dating world, only to fall for a 25-year old stripper named Colby.

11:45AM THEATRE TWO: Shorts: Pot Pourri (66 min.) (0,∞) 11 min. Gus and Clark would like to apply for a mortgage. But In their chilling near future, they must first must prove sexuality through a government-mandated medical exam to secure basic civil rights. A Bench for Darren 17 min. During the unveiling of a memorial bench for their late husband and father, a grieving family is forced to confront addiction, mental illness, faith, and long-buried secrets. CHURCH GIRL 11 min. Olivia, a Filipino lesbian, pretends to be Christian to impress her non-binary crush, finding herself at Bushwick's oldest queer Bible study. Find Another Girl To Fix 5 min. Out and proud lesbians Jennifer Corday and Cathy DeBuono star in this campy, mid-century Palm Springs frolic as Corday lays down the ground rules for the relationship. Hail Maya 17 min. On her last night in the dorms, a faithful Catholic undergraduate trades salvation for sin, diving headfirst into a tangle of lust, love, and betrayal that confession can’t absolve. Pole Are Opposites - 5 min. WORLD PREMIERE A grey-haired Gen-X butch lesbian and a graceful Gen-Z stripper take on pole dancing, side by side each as a queer meditation on radical self-acceptance, sisterhood and the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

NOON THEATRE THREE: Shorts: Our Favorite Docs. (53 min.) Her Last Day In The U.S. 19 min. When Leonor, a 70-year-old undocumented single mother, decides to return to Mexico after nearly 40 years in the U.S., her undocumented adult children must face the painful truth that she may never be able to come back, and this could be their last goodbye. LOVE DOES NOT ASK 3 min. LOVE DOES NOT ASK is a cinematic spoken-word short film that explores love as a force beyond labels, permission, or fear - an undeniable truth that exists wherever two souls find one another. Through powerful imagery and poetic narration, the film affirms that love does not ask to be understood, only to be felt. The Queer Imagination 8 min. A lyric portrait of artist and performer Courtney Desiree Morris asks what the queer imagination makes possible in the face of erasure. Welcome to Tool Shed 23 min. The documentary takes an in depth, searing dive into the colorful community of queer senior citizens who congregate at the Tool Shed, a long-standing gay bar and sanctuary for queer people in Palm Springs, CA.

2:00PM THEATRE ONE: Armani and the Birth of Italian Fashion (92 min.) Featuring his first and final on-camera interview, Giorgio Armani reflects on a remarkable life as this stylish documentary explores the legendary fashion dynasties that defined Italian luxury. With rare access, iconic designers, and Hollywood insiders, it reveals the passion, rivalries, and enduring glamour behind the world's most influential fashion houses. In English and Italian with English Subtitles.

2:15PM THEATRE TWO: Femmenella Ballad (95 min.) A vibrant celebration of Naples' historic femmenelle community, this intimate documentary follows seven transgender individuals whose lives bridge centuries-old traditions and modern realities. Through resilience, ritual, and joy, their stories reveal a culture where identity, spirituality, and community intertwine in extraordinary and deeply moving ways. In Italian with English Subtitles.

2:30PM THEATRE THREE: Mermaid (93 min.) After losing the one person who truly saw her, ten-year-old Cass finds hope in an unexpected friendship with a struggling drag queen and a vibrant chosen family. This moving story of identity, acceptance, and unconditional love celebrates the courage to live authentically—even when the world isn't ready.

4:30PM THEATRE ONE: A Man Walks Down The Street (93 min.) "After thirty years abroad, Raanan returns to Israel to sell his mother’s apartment. A chance encounter with an elderly stranger and a brief affair with a younger man force him to confront decades of internalized homophobia, sending him on an emotional journey toward forgiveness and reconciliation. In Hebrew with English Subtitles.

4:45PM THEATRE TWO: Barbara Forever 102 min. A compelling tribute to pioneering lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer, this documentary celebrates the artist who transformed lesbian visibility through more than eighty groundbreaking films. Drawing from her own voice, personal archives, and never-before-seen footage, it reveals a fearless visionary whose work forever reshaped queer cinema, feminist art, and LGBTQIA+ history.

5:00PM THEATRE THREE: ReelKev Presents WebOUT (90 min.)

7:00PM THEATRE ONE: Bi-Coastal (90 min.) SPONSORED BY HERE TV An aspiring filmmaker heads to New York to collect a debt from a friend, but as the months slip away, so do his Hollywood dreams. Drawn into a world of desire, excess, and self-discovery, he embarks on an unexpected journey that challenges his ambitions, gender identity, and understanding of himself.

7:15PM THEATRE TWO: In This Moment (82 min.) After a devastating betrayal shatters their marriage, a Filipino American writer and his husband struggle to find their way back to one another. This tender, emotionally resonant drama explores love, forgiveness, and the quiet acts of care that can mend even the deepest wounds.

7:30PM THEATRE THREE: The Divine Tragedy (101 min. ) Middle-aged Cristian, a former telenovela actor, has been living in luxury with his wealthy partner for 25 years. But when his lover dumps him, the distraught Cristian moves in with his younger half-brother Roy, an unrepentant gay sex addict. The two wildly different men must learn to coexist while trying to rebuild their lives. A sexy, funny Mexican romp. In Spanish with English Subtitles

SATURDAY, Sept. 19

11:30PM THEATRE ONE: Shorts: Relationships (M) (106 min.) Afterparty 20 min. When a hopeless romantic falls for his charismatic new roommate, he imagines a future that collides with the realities of polyamory and unspoken expectations. B. Yourself 7 min. A struggling woman accepts a job assisting a rising social media influencer on a luxurious weekend getaway, only to find herself caught in a world where image is everything and nothing is quite as it seems. Final Frame 15 min. Carlos, a film editor, is quickly trying to finish editing a film when he gets a call from a friend urging him to get to the hospital where his partner, Ben, is about to have a critical surgery. Muse 18 min. A withdrawn teenager searches for inner peace at a desert meditation center, only to be paired with a picture perfect roommate. Richard & Allan's Crazy Adventure 13 min. Two men. One untold past. And a journey they’ve never taken before. This powerful, intimate, and fun documentary follows two gay men traveling across Eastern Europe for the first time, as they revisit their youth and share what it meant to grow up gay in 1950s America. True Love 17 min. Elliot wants to reconnect with his ex-boyfriend, Will, but a dark turn reveals the true nature of their relationship. Upon Starvation 16 min. Vivek, a 30-something pickpocket in Pune, uses seduction as distraction. Detached, he exploits others’ hunger while suppressing his own…until he meets Kartik, a soft-spoken student seeking genuine intimacy. Kartik disrupts Vivek’s control.

 11:45AM THEATRE TWO: Shorts: Coming Out and Coming of Age (78 min.) Ashamed 10 min. Before his childhood best friend leaves forever, a closeted married man is given one final chance to reveal the truth he's buried for years. Closet Combat Episode 3 10 min. Closeted high school boy Theodore experiences an argument with his brother as a video game fight to endure his fear of being outed. hi mom 4 min. Maya struggles to find the right words to come out to her mom. Holding your breath 14 min. Summer 2003. Miguel and Javi, two fourteen-year-old friends, spend their days between swims, video games, and a bet that follows them all summer long: to see who can hold their breath underwater the longest. Javi always wins; he says his swimsuit is magical. Intrigued by the mystery, Miguel begins to see his friend in a different way. I wanna hold your hand 3 min. In a dark movie theater, a young boy’s anxiety swells as he debates making the first move—until a small act of courage speaks louder than words. Open All Night 14 min. Set in Queens, Woodside, NYC, 1991. When Denis, played by Kevin Bohleber (Under the Influencer), a closeted Irish immigrant, is assaulted during a St. Patrick’s Day parade, he takes refuge in a quiet diner. Separate Roads 15 min. When former high school sweethearts Daniel and Tyler meet again years after a painful breakup, they're forced to confront the scars of their past - including Tyler's attempt to 'cure' his love through religious conversion therapy. The Late in Life Guide to Modern Day Lesbianism - 8 min. Congratulations on finally coming out! Equal parts orientation, indoctrination, and camp, this satirical 90s corporate training video onboards “late-in-lifers” with everything you didn’t know you needed to survive modern-day lesbianism. Uniformed 25 min. A gay military police officer, Gustavo lives two irreconcilable realities. In a world where the uniform condemns him to hiding, he feels his true nature being crushed by fear. But for how long is silence a shield, and when does it become a weapon? 

NOON THEATRE THREE: Shorts: Thrillers (87 min.) Bad Dad 12 min. Seeking a fresh start after a painful divorce, Warren retreats to a secluded lake house with his young son. But when a mysterious stranger arrives asking for help, an ordinary evening spirals into a gripping psychological thriller. HVAC 11 min. In a blue-collar Missouri town, a 13-year-old HVAC apprentice grappling with confusing desires becomes entangled in a surreal, dangerous encounter at the local theatre—where longing and innocence bleed together in one irreversible night. Latin Lover 12 min. In 1968, a smooth-talking hustler, Paul Ferguson, details the fateful night he and his younger brother murdered closeted silent film star, Ramon Novarro. Tales of the Macabre 17 min. On Halloween night 1984, a grief-stricken late-night radio host shares the legend of the Crimson Witch with his listeners—but as exhaustion and isolation take hold, he begins to fear the story may be coming to life. The Ghost at Skeleton Rock 20 min. In the summer of 1992, at the height of the AIDS crisis, 18-year-old VINNY is reeling after being with another boy for the first time. In the tiny enclave of Callicoon, New York, his only confidant is CHRIS, a ghost he's been secretly communicating with through a handmade Ouija board. Wake 15 min. WORLD PREMIERE A young man is menaced by a tentacled monster lurking under his bed.

2:00PM THEATRE ONE: Inside the Oasis: The Story of South Florida's Gay Mecca (48 min.) Narrated by Emmy Award winner Sharon Gless, this compelling documentary chronicles the rise of South Florida as an LGBTQ+ sanctuary. Through powerful archival footage and firsthand accounts, it celebrates decades of resilience, activism, and hard-won progress while confronting the renewed challenges facing the community today.

2:15PM THEATRE TWO: Some Kind of Wonderful (89 min.) Be among the first audiences to experience the World Festival Premiere of the two newest episodes of Some Kind of Wonderful (now set in Palm Springs), the acclaimed LGBTQ+ comedy-drama series created, written, and directed by Palm Springs filmmaker Ricky Reidling. Think Sex and the City... with a gay twist.

2:30PM THEATRE THREE: Not Your Average Girl (120 min.) This inspiring documentary follows trailblazing activist, author, and National Trans Visibility March leader Hope Giselle as she champions equality, visibility, and social justice. From breaking barriers in Alabama to advising major organizations, her remarkable journey is a powerful testament to courage, authenticity, and the transformative power of advocacy.

4:30PM THEATRE ONE: MADFabulous (107 min.) When the flamboyant Henry Paget arrives in 1890’s North Wales to claim his aristocratic inheritance, his defiant eccentricities send shockwaves through the upper-class elite, much to the amusement of the local townspeople. Alongside his spirited cousin, Lily, and loyal butler, Gelert, Henry tries to carve out his own identity as the Fifth Marquess.

4:45PM THEATRE TWO: KAREN WILLIAMS: I HAD TO LAUGH, a documentary by Andrea Meyerson (72 min.) WORELD PREMIERE The year is 1983 and Karen Williams bursts into the world of standup comedy—the first out Black lesbian to perform lesbian-specific material on stage. Four decades later, Karen is still going strong and we're still laughing!

5:00PM THEATRE THREE: ReelKev Presents WebOUT (90 min.)

7:00PM THEATRE ONE: On The Road (93 min.) A rebellious drifter and a solitary truck driver form an unexpected bond as they journey across northern Mexico's rugged highways. But with danger closing in and painful secrets refusing to stay buried, their search for freedom becomes a gripping story of desire, survival, and the possibility of redemption.

7:15PM THEATRE TWO: Glitterbaited (107 min.) A fresh, queer twist on Cyrano de Bergerac, this charming romantic comedy follows a shy writer who lends his words to his handsome but tongue-tied best friend in a bid to win over the man they both admire. Clever, heartfelt, and delightfully funny, love takes center stage in unexpected ways.

7:30PM THEATRE THREE: Our Civil Rights: Racial Equity, Adoption and Marriage (65 min.)

REDLINING 18 min. REDLINING is about a black & white family who live on the same property during the 1970s in the Georgia REDLINING era. The film explores the themes of generational wealth, prejudice, homosexuality, women’s rights and the legacy of discrimination in the American South. What happens when the parents pass? Who gets the house? And why?

PROJECT FAMIGLIA - The Road to Us 24 min. An Italian queer couple’s journey leads them to Canada to pursue their dream of parenthood, challenging intolerance in their home country and prompting the global divide over who should have the right to be a parent in today’s modern age.

HONG KONG, Let’s Get Married! 23 min. Hong Kong Let’s Get Married is a short documentary examining the struggle for marriage equality in Hong Kong. Despite tightening political restrictions, activists and same-sex couples have secured incremental legal gains, including recognition of certain rights for couples married abroad. A landmark 2023 court ruling mandated the creation of a legal framework for same-sex couples, but a 2025 bill offering limited recognition was ultimately rejected.

SUNDAY, Sept. 20

11:30AM THEATRE ONE: Shorts: Three Decades to Remember (104 min.) April 14, 1982 16 min. On the eve of recording Thriller, Michael Jackson's carefully controlled world is unexpectedly disrupted by an encounter with a hotel room service attendant. Here, Queer, and On TV 16 min. Before YouTube, "Lavender Lounge" lit up public access TV with a '90s queer and trans dance party and groundbreaking show, capturing San Francisco's first Dyke March and the first official Pride video. Thirty years later, creator Mark Kliem brings rare footage to light, reuniting the original crew with younger generations when queer history is again under attack. Kansas, 1989 13 min. The story of a Midwestern teen in the 80s on the verge of coming out, and the night of danger that changes the course of his life. Lesbians in Boystown 27 min. LESBIANS IN BOYSTOWN reveals the forgotten history of lesbians and queer women in West Hollywood, the first “gay city” in the U.S. The documentary honors lesbian activism through Dyke Marches, the AIDS crisis, nonprofit organizing, and grassroots work ensuring that this legacy is remembered despite our culture’s predilection towards lesbian invisibility. Shelly's Leg 17 min. In 1970, an eccentric young stripper named Shelly Baumann loses her leg in a freak parade canon accident, then uses her settlement money to open 'Shelly's Leg' disco - one of the nation's first and most consequential openly gay spaces. Narrated by Oscar-nominee, Kathleen Turner. Spinach 15 min. WORLD PREMIERE. In the neon soaked shadows of 1989, an experimental immersion into queer nightlife and the silent encroaching AIDS crisis reveals that for a generation under siege, survival is the ultimate revolutionary act

11:45AM THEATRE TWO: Shorts: Other Voices (73 min.) Not Exactly Strangers 15 min. A tipsy hookup between a Latine trans woman and a rough-edged skater boy from her past becomes a comedic, yet intimate deep-dive into post-surgical sex, lingering history, and a body she’s still learning to celebrate. Peter 13 min. Peter, an intoxicated trans man, leaves the bar late at night. On his way to meet a love interest, he gets followed by a mysterious man. Peter questions whether this man is just a pedestrian or if he has sinister intentions, specifically a hate crime. Quinn 20 min. After surviving a sexual assault, Quinn, a young person exploring their identity, decides to track down their attacker. Dutch with English Subtitles Top 16 min. Finally at the hospital for his long-awaited gender affirming top surgery, Matt Levit, with lively girlfriend Leisha Meyer by his side, navigates the bureaucracy of the top surgery process. Tr(ace)y 9 min. A young woman garners interesting reactions when explaining her sexuality to her dates. Through these experiences, she comes to realize that being authentic to herself is ultimately more valuable than being accepted by society or potential romantic partners.

NOON THEATRE THREE: Shorts: For the Boys (106 min.) Cicada 17 min. After inheriting a restaurant from her late father, Jin must navigate the emotional legacy left behind, while clashing with an estranged chef, Justin, whose unresolved love story with her father Ray intertwines with her own journey to find closure and meaning. Get Into The Spirit 4 min. While attempting to communicate with a handsome ghost haunting their house, two husbands discover there are many ways a spirit can reach out from beyond the grave. GROSS INCOME 13 min. After a troubling meeting with his accountant, Jonathan is visited by increasingly bizarre figures offering solutions to his financial problems. Morning Echo 19 min. “Some mornings don’t let you move on.” After months of silence, Gabriel wakes to find his ex-boyfriend, Omar, unexpectedly in his kitchen cooking breakfast as if nothing ever happened. The Next Day 6 min. The day after a traumatic event a gay man decides to confront his fiancé, forcing him to question if they can repair their strained relationship or should call off their upcoming wedding. The Stick Up 7 min. When an impulsive teen’s half-baked robbery goes spectacularly wrong, it sparks the most chaotic — and unexpectedly charming — meet-cute imaginable. West Texas Home 15 min. A new home in West Texas became his savior when he was a teen, but now as an adult, Ben has made a decision that may jeopardize everything he knows. おめでとう (Omedetō) 25 min. Oscar and Iván, two best friends, are having a party for Iván's 25th birthday. During the celebration, they promise to each other that next year they will fulfill the dream of their lives: Traveling to Japan together.

2:00PM THEATRE ONE: A TASTE OF HEAVEN: The Ecstatic Song & Gospel of Maestro Raymond Anthony (80 min.) A stirring portrait of gospel visionary Raymond Anthony Myles, whose extraordinary voice lifted congregations and captivated festival audiences while he struggled to reconcile his faith with his identity as a queer Black man. On the verge of stardom, his life was tragically cut short, leaving behind an enduring legacy of music, courage, and grace.

2:15PM THEATRE TWO: Girls and Boys (85 min.) A chance reunion at a Halloween party rekindles the bond between Charlie, a trans woman, and her childhood best friend—who doesn't recognize her. As one unforgettable night unearths long-buried memories, both must confront the past, embrace who they've become, and discover whether love can rewrite their shared history.

2:30PM THEATRE THREE: The Queerdos (93 min.) WORLD PREMIERE A down-on-her-luck delivery driver inherits a Hollywood Hills mansion with strings attached. As she fills her new home with quirky queer tenants to make ends meet, she navigates viral fame, past celebrity, and an unexpected love interest.

4:30PM THEATRE ONE: Uncle Roy (87 min.) "Spanning nine decades of extraordinary archives, this moving documentary celebrates the remarkable life of photographer and figure skating historian Roy Blakey. As his niece works to preserve his groundbreaking queer artistic legacy in the face of dementia, the film becomes a touching tribute to family, memory, and the enduring power of living authentically."

4:45PM THEATRE TWO: Punkie (74 min.) Go behind the scenes with Saturday Night Live star Punkie Johnson as she navigates the relentless demands of stand-up comedy while confronting a deeply personal crisis. Honest, funny, and unflinchingly vulnerable, this intimate documentary reveals the resilience required to stay true to yourself—onstage and off.

5:00PM THEATRE THREE: ReelKev Presents WebOUT (90 min.)

7:00PM THEATRE ONE: Lady Champagne (99 min.) Step into D’Arcy Drollinger’s bold, irreverent comedy that follows the outrageous life of Champagne Horowitz Jones Dickerson White, a notorious San Francisco erotic dancer. Filmed entirely in San Francisco and featuring over 80 queer and trans performers, Lady Champagne is a slapstick love letter to 1970s exploitation cinema.

THURSDAY, Sept. 24

2:00PM THEATRE ONE: Lone Star Bull (90 min.) Bull Jackson is a bouncer in a gay bar where Jordan performs as a drag queen by night and is a medical student by day. When Coco, their mentor and owner of the club is shot, Bull and Jordan form an unlikely team to find those responsible.

2:15PM THEATRE TWO: The Stray House (82 min.)  After losing his husband, a grieving widower inherits a rundown house and transforms it into a refuge for society’s outcasts—creating an unlikely chosen family that must stand together against prejudice, abuse, and the pain of the past.

2:30PM THEATRE THREE: Snow Falling on Pumpkins (97 min.) When Michael is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 43, his world begins to unravel. Searching for meaning, he finds healing in the wisdom of a Cherokee spiritual guide and the unwavering love of James, the man who becomes his husband. As memories slip away, Michael discovers that love is the one thing time cannot erase.

4:30PM THEATRE ONE: Trial of Hein (122 min). Returning to his remote North Sea island after fourteen years, Hein finds that no one, even his own family, believes he is who he claims to be. As the village puts his identity on trial, buried secrets and the fragile nature of memory collide in this haunting psychological mystery. In German with English Subtitles.

4:45PM THEATRE TWO: Out of the Woods (92 min.) Max is slowly losing her memory. When she reunites with an old friend, Diana, a hidden part of herself is reawakened and she's forced to choose between spending the precious time she has left with the woman she's always loved or remaining faithful to her husband.

5:00PM THEATRE THREE: Learn the Words, Bitch! (39 min.) WORLD PREMIERE Hosted by the incomparable Tony Soto, this joyous documentary celebrates Los Angeles' beloved lip-sync competition, where drag, community, and unapologetic self-expression take center stage. Through a pandemic and growing political attacks on drag, the show proves that laughter, resilience, and chosen family remain powerful acts of resistance.

7:00PM THEATRE ONE: Proud Jewish Boy (90 min.) On November 7, 1938, 17-year-old Herschel Grynszpan shot Nazi diplomat Ernst vom Rath in Paris, providing the pretext for Kristallnacht. Acclaimed director Isri Halpern traces Herschel’s journey from poverty in Germany to his arrest and the Nazi show trial that never was. Combining rare interviews, archival footage, and illustrations, the film investigates the rumored homosexual relationship between the assassin and his victim. In Hebrew, English, German, French with English Subtitles

FRIDAY, Sept. 25

11:30AM THEATRE ONE: Shorts: When Clothing is Optional (83 min.) Aswim 17 min. A routine morning swim takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious stranger appears out of nowhere, drawing one man into a fleeting encounter that challenges his assumptions about loneliness and desire. Just Not Naked Enough 13 min. When a writer returns to celebrate one last birthday with his estranged husband, old wounds and buried feelings threaten to boil over. Naked Pool Party 30 min. A comedy that follows three gay friends as they step out of their comfort zones to attend their first naked pool party. Pillow Talk 20 min. WORLD PREMIERE Pillow Talk explores the postcoital conversations between Mike and Sean, exposing their hidden desires and ulterior motives, and questioning if one or both are playing the other... or slowly falling in love. The Narcissist 3 min. Bored with everyday life, the narcissist (Benjamin Tanner) lubes up and embarks on a journey in search of the perfect fantasy.

11:45AM THEATRE TWO: Shorts: The Blend (96 min.) Dragon Problems 29 min. A school for magic has used resurrection biology to bring back dragons ... what could go wrong? Lucrecia & The Witches 23 min. LUCRECIA, a superstitious singer in the Guadalajara drag queen scene, hits a streak of bad luck right before her audition for the famous TV show, “Xtravaganza.” Nervous about making it onto the show, she decides to get a miracle cleanse with a pair of WITCHES. But, to afford the costly ritual, she has to pawn her most valuable possession. Lady In Rainbows 16 min. Rebecca auditions for Allen's play about an audition for a play and wonders why he has so much trouble distancing himself from the material. Pismo Beach 15 min. At a gig, a drag performer is confronted by a lonely stranger with an eerie coincidence to share.  Richard & Allan's Crazy Adventure 13 min. Two men. One untold past. And a journey they’ve never taken before. This powerful, intimate, and fun documentary follows two gay men traveling across Eastern Europe for the first time, as they revisit their youth and share what it meant to grow up gay in 1950s America.

NOON THEATRE THREE: Shorts: Love and Loss (74 min.) Dead Wife Montage 5 min. Dead Wife Montage is a 5 minute sapphic dramedy that tackles the grieving process through satire, vulnerability, the emotions that live within us all. How About Annie? 10 min. Angel is consoling her friend Annie for her heartbreak. While embracing her, they discover a tiny door and open it. Thus began a miniature adventure to the discovery of her friend’s vulnerability et diffferents way to help her. If Lost Please Return To: 17 min. 26 year old Brie just got horribly dumped by her 3 year long girlfriend. Her way of handling the break up? Constantly ripping her heart out of her chest for 9 hours. In the Light of Day 15 min. "A lesbian plans to escape her small town with her married lover. But when her lover refuses to leave, she must make a choice. In the Light of Day is a story about stepping into your authenticity. Loving yourself first, unapologetically. And daring to live your truth over playing safe. Filmed in Kamas, Utah" LOVE & OTHER DEVASTATIONS 15 min. Two Latinas, One American and One Cuban, in a hurricane of Lust, Love & Other Devastations. Rachel & Laura meet at La Jolla after being separated for a year. Rachel lives now in NYC and they both have new girlfriends. Milton 12 min. The touching, poignant story of an elderly couple on vacation while struggling with their physical limitations and sharing memories of a life fully lived.

2:00PM THEATRE ONE: Mickey & Richard (71 min.) An intimate portrait of legendary gay model (and Palm Springs resident) Mickey Squires, told in his own words. Through rare 16mm footage and decades of archival material, this revealing documentary explores the price of fame in adult entertainment, the search for authentic connection, and the challenges of aging in queer culture.

2:15PM THEATRE TWO: Miss Personality (45 min.) WORLD PREMIERE Filmed before sold-out audiences at the Revolution Stage Company in Palm Springs, award-winning comedian Mina Hartong delivers a hilarious and deeply personal stand-up special inspired by her Connecticut roots, Dutch heritage, life as a lesbian, and years as a public-school teacher.

2:30PM THEATRE THREE: Start-up Love (90 min.) A group of ambitious young coders risks everything to build the next AI breakthrough—until romance, betrayal, and a tangled bisexual love triangle threaten to destroy both their friendships and their startup. Fast-paced, sexy, and smart, this contemporary dramedy proves that love can be as unpredictable as technology.

4:30PM THEATRE ONE: Free at Heart (117 min.) When the son of his late father's closest friend moves into his home, sixteen-year-old Sebastian discovers an unexpected first love that challenges everything he thought he knew. As their forbidden romance is exposed, they must choose between living authentically and losing the only lives they've ever known.

4:45PM THEATRE TWO: Free Beer Tomorrow (78 min.) A heartfelt tribute to one of America’s longest-running lesbian bars, this engaging documentary celebrates Jack’s/Summit Station as a vital sanctuary for generations of LGBTQ+ people. Through unforgettable stories from activists, artists, athletes, and patrons, it captures a community that found belonging, resilience, and joy in the face of discrimination.

5:00PM THEATRE THREE: Surviving Voices: AIDS Caregivers (40 min.) When most people fled from the epidemic or ignored it altogether, a few brave folks ran towards it. Surviving Voices: AIDS Caregivers spotlights the doctors, nurses, friends, families, and partners who took care of their loved ones dying from AIDS related complications while the rest of the world abandoned them. Panel with Sister Roma, the Palm Springs AIDS Memorial and the Palm Springs Sisters

7:00PM THEATRE ONE: Tiger (126 min.) SPONSORED BY HERE TV A 35-year-old gay masseuse finds himself pushed to the edge as his escalating clash with his sister over property ownership blurs the line between right and wrong. A vivid look at gay life in Japan. In Japanese with English Subtitles.

7:15PM THEATRE TWO: Dangling Carrot (89 min.) An unemployed gay millennial searches for love in New York City's unforgiving hookup culture, where two emotionally unavailable men test both his heart and his hard-won sobriety. A funny, honest, and deeply relatable look at modern dating, addiction, and the courage to choose self-worth over self-destruction.

7:30PM THEATRE THREE: The Witches' Pact (65 min.) When a mysterious witches' video sparks an obsession, a filmmaker embarks on a whimsical, deeply personal quest for feminist community and belonging. Blending documentary, fantasy, and sly humor, this enchanting journey reimagines the modern witch as a symbol of resistance, empowerment, and collective transformation.

SATURDAY, Sept. 26

10:00AM In a Whisper SPONSORED BY THE DESERT FILM SOCIETY (111 min.) After living for many years in Paris, a young woman returns to Tunisia to attend the funeral of her uncle. Staying in the family home shared by three generations of women, she is confronted with unspoken tensions, resurfacing memories, and shifting family relationships. In French with English Subtitles

11:45AM THEATRE TWO: Shorts: Sometimes We Grieve (84 min.) A Sunny Day in London 13 min. WORLD PREMIERE Haunted by the man he never forgot, Lee returns to London in search of Benjamin—the love who once felt like home. After Midnight 15 min. Locked out at 2:00 a.m., Leo reluctantly wanders a deserted college campus with a virtual stranger he has just met online. CLUTTER 15 min. Jean has a no nonsense attitude to both her cleaning job and her affluent clientele. But faced with the aftermath of a grieving drag queen’s night of hedonism, she is forced to confront the pain of her own loss, and the repercussions of a deep rooted prejudice. Floss Every Day 12 min. Grieving the loss of someone dear and finding solace in his drink, a lonely man must move through his feelings before he can get himself unstuck. I'm Doing Fine 14 min. I'm Doing Fine follows a home aide in his 50's forced to face his own mortality, the passing of his closest confidant, and losing the keys to his apartment all in the span of one day. In Every Single Room 16 min. Fresh off a heartbreak, 30-something Lenny returns to the beach town they used to visit as a teenager where their queer identities first unfolded. the layover 14 min. Prepared to spend his Christmas alone, a newly single man unexpectedly takes in his ex-boyfriend’s grieving mother.

NOON THEATRE THREE: Shorts: Three Decades to Remember (104 min.) April 14, 1982 16 min. On the eve of recording Thriller, Michael Jackson's carefully controlled world is unexpectedly disrupted by an encounter with a hotel room service attendant. Here, Queer, and On TV 16 min. Before YouTube, "Lavender Lounge" lit up public access TV with a '90s queer and trans dance party and groundbreaking show, capturing San Francisco's first Dyke March and the first official Pride video. Thirty years later, creator Mark Kliem brings rare footage to light, reuniting the original crew with younger generations when queer history is again under attack. Kansas, 1989 13 min. The story of a Midwestern teen in the 80s on the verge of coming out, and the night of danger that changes the course of his life. Lesbians in Boystown 27 min. LESBIANS IN BOYSTOWN reveals the forgotten history of lesbians and queer women in West Hollywood, the first “gay city” in the U.S. The documentary honors lesbian activism through Dyke Marches, the AIDS crisis, nonprofit organizing, and grassroots work ensuring that this legacy is remembered despite our culture’s predilection towards lesbian invisibility. Shelly's Leg 17 min. In 1970, an eccentric young stripper named Shelly Baumann loses her leg in a freak parade canon accident, then uses her settlement money to open 'Shelly's Leg' disco - one of the nation's first and most consequential openly gay spaces. Narrated by Oscar-nominee, Kathleen Turner. Spinach 15 min. WORLD PREMIERE. In the neon soaked shadows of 1989, an experimental immersion into queer nightlife and the silent encroaching AIDS crisis reveals that for a generation under siege, survival is the ultimate revolutionary act.

2:00PM THEATRE ONE: There’s Something About Oakwood (91 min.) Saved from demolition in the 1970s by a group of gay men and widows, the Historic Oakwood neighborhood of Raleigh, NC has become a haven of inclusive community with a unique social contract and a packed schedule of intergenerational partying, but will it stand the tests of time and change that threaten its future?

2:15PM THEATRE TWO: Our Family Pride (107 min.) When a husband and father of three finally comes out in his 50s, his family must confront decades of buried pain, unexpected truths, and new beginnings. This heartfelt comedy-drama explores the challenges of living authentically and the extraordinary power of love, acceptance, and finding your way back to one another.

2:30PM THEATRE THREE: Summer Lost (82 min.) WEST COAST PREMIERE Determined to hide his terminal illness while attending a wedding, one man expects only to say goodbye. Instead, an unexpected romance forces him to confront his past, embrace the present, and discover that love can transform even life's final chapter.

4:30PM THEATRE ONE: Bookends (99 min.) After a devastating breakup, Nate reluctantly moves in with his spirited grandparents, only to find himself navigating family secrets, his grandfather's advancing dementia, and an unexpected new romance. Anchored by a remarkable cast, this heartfelt dramedy explores love, memory, and the ties that bind generations together.

4:45PM THEATRE TWO: TRANS RISING (94 min.) A documentary that provides an opportunity to meet the colorful and accomplished transgender community in Amsterdam. In this film, you will meet beauty queens, the parents of transgender children, a former Special Forces police officer, a singer and lead actress in the acclaimed film, "Call Me Agnes," the founder of Amsterdam Trans Pride festivals and the Deputy Mayor/Alderman of Amsterdam. In English and Dutch with English Subtitles.

5:00PM THEATRE THREE: Myrna’s Deal with the Dead (50 min.) Myrna’s outrageous saga continues as she teams up with psychic Dixie Longate to track down a kidnapped heir, unravel family secrets, and survive another round of outrageous twists, scandal, and murder. This delightfully campy telenovela-style comedy delivers nonstop laughs while supporting LGBTQ+ youth through Julian's Fountain of Youth.

7:00PM THEATRE ONE: Downtown (98 min.) Set against Amsterdam's vibrant gay nightlife in the 1980s, three young men forge an unforgettable bond as love, friendship, and freedom flourish in the shadow of the emerging AIDS crisis. Both joyous and heartbreaking, this poignant drama celebrates a generation whose courage and resilience forever changed LGBTQ+ history.

7:15PM THEATRE TWO: Velvet Vision - The Story of James Bidgood (and the Making of Pink Narcissus) (91 min.) A vivid portrait of visionary artist James Bidgood, whose dazzling photographs and cult classic Pink Narcissus forever changed queer visual culture. Blending fantasy, history, and intimate reflection, this documentary celebrates a groundbreaking creative whose imagination transformed beauty, desire, and cinematic art into something truly timeless.

7:30PM THEATRE THREE: Teenage Wasteland: Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen (80 min.) Filmed live at New York's iconic Dixon Place, this acclaimed off-Broadway concert film finds veteran actor David Dean Bottrell hilariously revisiting the awkward, heartbreaking, and unforgettable years of adolescence. By turns laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching, these true stories celebrate the messy journey of growing up, queer identity, and self-acceptance.

SUNDAY, Sept. 27

11:30AM THEATRE ONE: Sweet Nothing (80 min.) As he sets out to book a drag queen for an event, Jack Bledsoe is forced to confront the prejudice he's long hidden from others—and himself. This heartfelt drama explores internalized homophobia, unexpected self-discovery, and the courage it takes to embrace authenticity and love.

11:45AM THEATRE TWO: Shorts: Mash-up (104 min.) A Homecoming 18 min. WEST COAST PREMIERE A newly transitioning trans woman returns home with her pregnant partner to celebrate her parents' 40th wedding anniversary. As old expectations collide with new realities, the family is forced to explore identity, acceptance, and unconditional love. Arman - 13 min. Overwhelmed and isolated on his wedding day, a closeted immigrant makes one final call to the family he left behind before marrying the man he loves. GRWM 12 min. A young woman gets ready to join the union army in the civil war by disguising herself as a man. Gumshoes 20 min. Sam and Paige are best friends who are obsessed with procedurals but bored with their lives, until they decide to stop watching crimes on tv, and start solving them in real life. Tsismosa (Gossiper) 10 min. In an Ilokano village, a simple plan for a traditional serenade spirals into comic confusion when gossip turns a love song into the talk of the town.

NOON THEATRE THREE: Shorts: For the Girls (102 min.) Allora 10 min. When Francesca brings her girlfriend home to meet her traditional Italian grandfather, hidden jealousies and long-buried secrets threaten to unravel their relationship. Blue Berri 17 min. Celia and Judit have shared a secret special relationship for years. Dancing in Argentina (in San Francisco) 13 min. A short musical tango film about the resilience of love when faced with oppression and disappearance. Two women, Gaby and Kara, meet and dance at a San Francisco tango club, but both must face their own ancestral trauma before they can truly love. Find Another Girl To Fix 5 min. Out and proud lesbians Jennifer Corday and Cathy DeBuono star in this campy, mid-century Palm Springs frolic as Corday lays down the ground rules for the relationship. Fish & Chips 13 min. Fab plans a surprise for Cassie on their first anniversary, but Cassie's rough day, coupled with a party popper mishap, leads to a heated argument over dinner options. What starts as a takeaway tiff over Caribbean or pizza spirals into an identity battle, revealing deep-seated resentments about their racial and queer identities. Ronita Rambo 13 min. Ronita Rambo, the sharp-tongued waitress of a rural Missouri diner, has everyone's order memorized - but not a clue how to text her new crush. Enlisting the help of two gay teens, she takes an unexpected leap toward love and authenticity. Since She Left 13 min. A woman facing midlife returns to her hometown and questions her life, love and sexuality. TRAPPED 18 min. Two neighbors forced to confront the truths they've been avoiding when they become stuck in an elevator together.

2:00PM THEATRE ONE: Barefoot Boy (97 min.) WEST COAST PREMIERE Against the striking backdrop of Salt Lake City, legendary choreographer Bill Evans reflects on a remarkable life shaped by artistry, resilience, and the struggle to embrace his queer identity. At 82, he returns for one final career-defining performance, confronting the past while inspiring a new generation of dancer

2:15PM THEATRE TWO: Beginning While Ending: A Life Like Most Others (102 min.) What are you doing with your one wild and precious life? This uplifting documentary follows a spirited nonbinary octogenarian and their LGBTQ+ chosen family as they navigate aging with humor, resilience, and purpose. A heartfelt celebration of love, identity, and the courage to find joy, healing, and hope at every stage of life.

2:30PM THEATRE THREE: Pieces of Lilo (90 min.) When the death of his abusive father unleashes decades of long buried trauma, Jerry is consumed by haunting memories, terrifying hallucinations, and long-hidden secrets. As reality begins to unravel, he spirals toward a devastating psychological breaking point from which there may be no return.

4:30PM THEATRE ONE: An Island Away From You (102 min.) Heartbroken after a painful breakup, a talented chef escapes to Gran Canaria with his best friend, only to fall in love with the island's vibrant culture, irresistible cuisine, and one person he never expected: his best friend's charming father. A heartfelt romance about second chances and unexpected love. In Spanish with English Subtitles.

4:45PM THEATRE TWO: Julian (91 min.) Fueled by love and a bold dream, Fleur and Julian set out to marry in every country where same-sex marriage is legal. As their extraordinary journey unfolds, joy, hope, and heartbreak collide in a deeply moving testament to love, equality, and the precious fragility of time. In English, French and Dutch with English Subtitles

5:00PM THEATRE THREE:   TBA

7:00PM THEATRE ONE: Love Loaded (98 min.) WEST COAST PREMIERE A sultry 1958 Los Angeles nightclub becomes a powder keg of secrets when famed torch singer Didi Scanlon is drawn into a web of betrayal and murder-where every lover, every rival - and everyone in the room is armed. Someone attempts to murder Dr. Jack Scanlon just as former singing partner of Didi Scanlon returns.