{"id":60885,"date":"2026-08-17T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lepetitseptieme.ca\/?p=60885"},"modified":"2026-08-16T21:16:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T01:16:55","slug":"vancouver-queer-film-festival-2026-lineup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lepetitseptieme.ca\/en\/2026\/08\/17\/vancouver-queer-film-festival-2026-lineup\/","title":{"rendered":"Vancouver Queer Film Festival 2026 | Lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Out On Screen announced the full lineup of the 38th annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF), returning to theatres across Vancouver from September 10\u201320, before streaming September 21\u201327. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Vancouver<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Featuring 87 feature-length and short films by 2SLGBTQIA+ creators from around the world, alongside parties, filmmaker Q&As, workshops, and community events, this year’s Festival invites audiences to discover stories by us, for us through the theme A Seat at the Table<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year’s theme celebrates belonging, generosity, and the many ways queer communities gather to nourish one another. Across every screening and event, A Seat at the Table asks audiences to imagine what becomes possible when everyone is welcomed to participate in shaping our collective future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to see<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Opening the Festival is ECOSYSTEMS NOT EMPIRES, a bold collection of seven short films envisioning queer futures rooted in care, kinship, and collective liberation. The Festival’s Centerpiece Presentation, Apolo<\/em>, is an intimate documentary following Brazilian trans couple Isis Broken and Lourenzo Gabriel as they navigate an unexpected pregnancy, followed by a special post-screening Q&A. The Festival concludes with the Closing Presentation, Gugu\u2019s world<\/em>, a heartwarming portrait of unconditional love as a young queer boy tends to the onset of his grandma\u2019s Alzheimer’s in secret. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"GUGU'S
Gugu\u2019s world<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 programme features celebrated performers alongside exciting new voices in queer cinema. Highlights include Kiloran Bay<\/em>, starring Alan Cumming; First Death<\/em>, featuring Kimia Behpoornia, Dylan Mulvaney, and Vic Michaelis; Beba from 5 to 9<\/em>, starring Emmy Award winner Michaela Ja\u00e9 Rodriguez; Test<\/em>, featuring Matthew Morrison and Brock Yurich; and Again again<\/em>, starring House of the Dragon<\/em> actor Abigail Thorn and executive produced by Lilly Wachowski.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning for its 26th year, The Coast Is Queer remains one of VQFF’s signature showcases, celebrating the remarkable breadth of 2SLGBTQIA+ filmmaking in British Columbia. Since 2000, the beloved annual shorts programme has championed regional stories of love, legacy, humour, resistance, and liberation across documentary, animation, drama, and experimental film. This year’s programme includes work from acclaimed local filmmaker\/actors Jess McLeod (Normal<\/em>, The Audacity<\/em>) and Johnny Wu (Joy Ride<\/em>), alongside a vibrant collection of emerging BC voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year’s programming was curated with a commitment to expanding the table rather than narrowing it; bringing together films that challenge, delight, provoke, and connect while reflecting the richness and complexity of queer lives across generations, identities, and borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full 2026 Lineup<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Opening Presentation: Ecosystems, Not Empires<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

LOSS OF ALTITUDE (SINKFLUG), International Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ho\u00e0ng Qu\u1ef3nh Nguy\u1ec5n | Germany | 2026 | 12 min | German with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a haunting near future where borders are redrawn, and belonging becomes a moral test, two women discover that love alone cannot shield them from the weight of collective complicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABJAD \u1e24AWAZ (\u0623\u0628\u062c\u062f \u0647\u0648\u0632 ), Canadian Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hadi Moussally | Lebanon | 2025 | 5 min | Arabic with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A mesmerizing collision of dance, techno, and poetry, Abjad \u1e24awaz (\u0623\u0628\u062c\u062f \u0647\u0648\u0632 ) transforms the Arabic alphabet into a fearless celebration of SWANA identity, language, and artistic liberation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TAKE CARE, TILL SPRINGTIME, British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Yi Shi | Canada | 2025 | 22 min | English, Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A slice of life portrait on Bill X\u016b, a local Chinese medicine practitioner and community organizer, through seasons of healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KILORAN BAY, Canadian Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Michael Bruce | United Kingdom | 2026 | 14 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kiloran
Kiloran bay<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When a gay man (Alan Cumming) returns to Scotland with his partner to attend a wedding c\u00e8ilidh, memories of a difficult coming out process resurface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MY NAME IS LILITH (MON NOM EST LILITH ), Canadian Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Leo Luna Robert-Tourneur | Belgium, France | 2025 | 14 min | French with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An encounter with Adam shatters worlds in this striking animation. A sensorial exploration of healing from sexual trauma and radical joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ATA P\u016aAO, British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Allie Howell | New Zealand | 2025 | 14 min | English and Maori with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiwa reckons with outgrown friendships amid the glittery nightlife of Tamaki Makaurau. Deeply rooted in iawhiti (M\u0101ori trans) experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FLY, British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Carlton Daniel Jr. | United States | 2026 | 15 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skylar, a disciplined dancer, auditions for a breakout opportunity with a prestigious ballet company. As the pressure mounts, their perfectionism is challenged by a fellow dancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme: Centerpiece Presentation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

BEBA FROM 5 TO 9, Canadian Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dano Cerny | United States | 2026 | 14 min | Spanish and English with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After her sister\u2019s death, Beba (Michaela Ja\u00e9 Rodriguez, Pose) reckons with her own mortality, juggling her job as a hospice nurse and new single parenthood. A captivating portrait dedicated to immigrant communities in East L.A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

APOLO, British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tain\u00e1 M\u00fcller, \u00cdsis Broken | Brazil | 2025 | 83 min | Portuguese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Apolo\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An intimate, moving, and joyful documentary following \u00cdsis Broken and Lourenzo Gabriel as they navigate an unexpected pregnancy as a trans couple in Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme: Closing Presentation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

GUGU’S WORLD (FEITO PEIPA), British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Allan Deberton | Brazil | 2026 | 90 min | Portuguese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gugu lives with this strong willed grandmother in Northeastern Brazil and dreams of being a soccer player but their lives take a turn when his grandmother starts showing early signs of Alzheimer’s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme: The Future Is Queer: Youth Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shorts: Journey To You<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MOON CYCLE (CHANDRAKAAL), British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ayilya Thampuran | Canada | 2026 | 5 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A rarely told queer love story from Indian mythology on Ila and Sudyumna, a being whose identity shifts with the phases of the moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SISTER OF MINE (SYSTER MIN), British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Andr\u00e9 Vaara | Sweden | 2026 | 13 min | Swedish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ten-year-old Noel wants to be more like his sister. When an unwanted haircut sparks unspoken jealousy, he takes matters into his own hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE FRUIT MACHINE: A SPACE OPERA,  British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lorri Millan, Shawna Dempsey | Canada | 2025 | 7 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A young, queer alien lands on Earth in the 1960s when the Canadian government was running secret tests to try and weed out ‘the homosexuals\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE CROWN WITH A SHADOW & THE SEARCH FOR SELF!, Canadian Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jasbir (JB) Singh Ghuman | United States | 2026 | 15 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A multi-dimensional storytelling experience about a gender-bending Pink Skunk fish who learns how to live and lead her community from the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ARE YOU BEING THANKED ENDLESSLY?, British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Gulzar G | Canada | 2026 | 15 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filmmaker Gulzar invites us to a conversation with their two best friends, as they reflect on their relationships to hair, gender roles, and belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SHAPING A DRESS, Vancouver Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Aaren Rackett | Canada | 2025 | 4 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 19th-century tailor makes a dress for themselves to share their queer identity with their family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NI\u00d1XS, British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kani Lapuerta | Germany, Mexico | 2025 | 86 min | Spanish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over eight years, Ni\u00f1xs follows Karla, a young trans girl who lives in Tepoztl\u00e1n, Mexico, and her quest for a harmonious gender-affirming life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND, British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Zachary Kornblum, Conor Larsen | Canada | 2026 | 3 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This heart-warming animated short explores a young boy\u2019s anxiety and excitement as he sits in a movie theatre beside his crush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Feature Films<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

EPHEMERA (\u6d6e\u6d6e\u6e38\u6e38), Canadian Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Shan Jiang | Singapore, United States | 2026 | 83 min | Mandarin Chinese, English with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the day before she flies away from Shanghai, a Chinese-American actor finally asks her crush out for a date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINESHAFT: THE CRUISING MURDERS, British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jeffrey Schwarz | United States | 2026 | 84 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeffrey Schwarz examines the complex history surrounding William Friedkin\u2019s Cruising and the real-world events that shaped its enduring legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BLOOD LINES (No Premiere)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Gail Maurice | Canada | 2025 | 89 min | English and Michif with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blood Lines is a lesbian romance and family drama that takes place in Wapamon Sipi, a contemporary M\u00e9tis village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAVING ETTING STREET, International Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dena Fisher, Amy Scott | United States | 2025 | 67 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saving Etting Street opens a conversation about gender roles in trade work, redlining, systemic racial inequalities and the barriers and benefits of home ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BARBARA FOREVER, Vancouver Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Brydie O’Connor | United States | 2026 | 108 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Barbara<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Narrated in her own voice, Barbara Forever embodies the energy and lyricism of the 90+ works she achieved in decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TEST, Canadian Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sam McConnell | United States | 2026 | 108 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bodybuilder in rural Ohio contends with the pressures of competition, family dysfunction, and his closeted sexuality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOUR GIRLS (QUATRO MENINAS), North American Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Karen Suzane | Brazil | 2026 | 90 min | Portuguese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set in 1880s Brazil, four Black women – Lena, Tita, Francisca, and Muanda – hatch a plan to escape their enslavement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10s ACROSS THE BORDERS, Canadian Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sze-Wei Chan | Philippines, Singapore, Germany | 2025 | 100 min | English, Thai, Malay, Tagalog with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Ballroom community leaders, director Sze-Wei Chan captures a movement sustained not by spectacle alone, but by the people who teach, organize, mentor, and show up for one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THEYDREAM, Canadian Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

William D. Caballero | United States | 2026 | 86 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20 years of the director\u2019s archival family footage explores what it means to preserve connections across generations and how stories shape us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BLACK BURNS FAST, Vancouver Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sandulela Asanda | South Africa | 2025 | 95 min | English, Xhosa with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Class topper Luthando\u2019s life changes when a new girl walks into class and awakens some feelings she never knew she had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AGAIN AGAIN, International Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Mia Moore Marchant | United States | 2026 | 99 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agatha\u2019s past 10 years have gone by in a blur, or rather, a loop, as she\u2019s trapped living the same day again and again. Her bubbly and doting girlfriend Tess remains the only constant in the fog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNDERSTANDING MYSELF AS AN AMPHIBIAN, North American Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

May Caroline Matchim | Canada | 2026 | 63 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing on queer ecology across Turtle Island, May Matchim explores the diversity of gender and sexuality in nature while navigating her own gender transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NATURE GIRL, Vancouver Premiere (SHORT)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trent Maynard, Candace Campo | Canada | 2026 | 27 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Candace Campo (xets\u2019emits\u2019a), a sh\u00edsh\u00e1lh knowledge keeper, artist, and cultural educator, collaborates with the filmmaker to reimagine documentary filmmaking as a meditational practice of listening and relation-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RIDE OR DIE, Canadian Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Josalynn Smith | United States | 2025 | 85 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sophisticated, seductive, and subversive, Ride or Die offers a compelling exploration of white fragility within interracial queer relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SOUVENIR, Canadian Premiere  (SHORT)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ren\u00e9e Marie Petropoulos | Australia | 2025 | 15 min | English and French with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A toxic power dynamic forms between two young lovers when Zoe crosses an intimate boundary on Keira\u2019s family vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAYS AGAINST GUNS, North American Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Paul Rowley | Ireland, United States | 2026 | 86 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub tragedy, Paul Rowley began documenting the work of Gays Against Guns, a direct action group committed to \u201cnonviolently breaking the gun industry\u2019s chain of death.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT WILL I BECOME, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lexie Bean, Logan Rozos | United States | 2026 | 88 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transmasculine directors memorialize the lives of two trans boys (Blake Brockington and Kyler Prescott) gone too soon, sharing their legacies with tenderness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WARLA, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kevin Zarate Alambra | Philippines | 2025 | 83 min | Tagalog, Japanese and English with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young KitKat joins an underground gang of trans women who hold foreign men for ransom to fund their gender-affirming surgeries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICE (YELO), North American Premiere (SHORT)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Gab Rosique | Philippines | 2025 | 20 min | Cebuano and Tagalog with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long days together in a sweltering thrift shop fuel Jessa\u2019s desires for Candy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OUR BODY IS AN EXPANDING STAR (NUESTRO CUERPO ES UNA ESTRELLA QUE SE EXPANDE) (No Premiere)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Semillites Hern\u00e1ndez Velasco, Tania Hern\u00e1ndez Velasco | Mexico | 2025 | 84 min | Spanish and English with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bareskin meets landscapes across Turtle Island as siblings and co-directors Semillites and Tania embrace their own bodies with a gaze rooted in love and curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LUNAR SWAY, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Nick Butler | Canada | 2026 | 95 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cliff is a young man searching for love in all the wrong places in the small desert town of Mooncrest. This, coupled with the entry of a birth mother, makes for a tender queer coming-of-age story of longing, family, and belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme: RAINBOWS IN A DESERT (Shorts)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

WOODPECKER, World Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tanju Ozdemir | United States | 2026 | 15 min | Kurdish, Turkish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woodpecker\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Follows Cihan, a gay and Kurdish asylum seeker in the US, as he goes through a series of intense encounters on the same day as his immigration case hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAME TIME NEXT YEAR?, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Anushay Sheikh | Canada | 2025 | 8 min | Arabic, English, Urdu with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brampton-based Safa\u2019s annual family trip to the Jummah turns into an awkward confrontation with her ex-girlfriend Maha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SHOWTIME (\u50cf<\/strong>\u8fd9\u6837<\/strong>\u7684<\/strong>\u65f6<\/strong>\u523b<\/strong>), Canadian Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lam Can-zhao | China, Malaysia, Switzerland | 2026 | 15 min | Min Nan Chinese, Cantonese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tia, a lonely teen who lives in a rural Chinese mining town, seeks refuge in her online persona as Michael Jackson\u2019s doppelg\u00e4nger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT DO YOU SEEK IN THE DARK? (<\/strong>\u0e2b\u0e32\u0e2d\u0e30\u0e44\u0e23<\/strong>?), North American Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tossaphon Riantong | Thailand | 2026 | 20 min | Thai with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An erotic thriller that captures the dying charm of Thailand’s stand-alone cinemas which also serve as cruising sites for closeted gay men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UPON STARVATION (UPAASMAAR), North American Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saurav Mahin | India | 2026 | 16 min | Marathi with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A jaded petty thief in Pune, India, unexpectedly stumbles into profound intimacy with a college student, awakening a new hunger that rips open an unspeakable social chasm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OUT OF SHADOWS, North American Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pradeep Mahadeshwar | Ireland | 2025 | 15 min | Spanish, English and Hindi with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A short documentary with striking visuals of nature and folk imagery, performance art, and oral storytelling by three men living with HIV who, upon immigrating to Ireland, received free access to life-saving treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme: INTO THE LIGHT (Shorts)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGIRLFRIEND GIRLFRIEND”, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sara Werner | United States | 2025 | 5 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One simple question from a coworker leads a woman to the glittery depths of her mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WELCOME TO PARIS, International Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Al Oxborough Karr | France | 2026 | 14 min | English, French with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evie, an aspiring actress, lands her first gig in Paris as a foot model, but her employers find a problem with her feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIT IS NOT DIRTY” (\u00ab CE N’EST PAS SALE \u00bb), Vancouver  Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ulysse Thevenot | France | 2025 | 5 min | French with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Didier remembers his life, animation shifts from colourless to colourful through a process of self-love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE BLAME SILENCE (AL\u00c9M DA CULPA), Vancouver  Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Israel Cordova | Brazil | 2025 | 20 min | Portuguese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After his father\u2019s death, strong and silent Mauro hires a farm hand to work alongside him. Long days in the sun together cause Mauro\u2019s questions to grow heavier and heavier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GRACE, Canadian Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jana Park | United States | 2025 | 13 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1959 Honolulu, two women hide their forbidden love under heteronormative pressure to marry and the nation being admitted to the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RONITA RAMBO, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Michael Doshier | United States | 2026 | 13 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the night of Valentine\u2019s in rural Missouri, Rambo\u2019s sour mood is challenged by two gay teens on a date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS IT SHOULD BE (\u6b64\u523b\u525b\u597d), Canadian Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Edwin Lai | Hong Kong | 2026 | 12 min | English, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set during Lunar New Year in Hong Kong and surrounded by family, tradition, and love, Megan finally faces her fears and states her truth, but how will her family take it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NANCY, World Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Eva Grant | Canada | 2026 | 10 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After being born in 1893 in a human zoo, Nancy Columbia Palmer Eneutseak became the first Indigenous screenwriter, writing and starring in the long-lost fi lm The Way of the Eskimo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme: Get Out (of the closet)! (Shorts)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DREAD, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Loren Loubser, Gabe Gabriel | South Africa, United Kingdom | 2026 | 10 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cape Town driver Toni becomes the unsolicited ear to a \u201ccrispy-fried German lady\u201d, unraveling an ordinary day into a haunting encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PURGATORY, Vancouver  Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Nikki Shaff eeullah | Canada | 2026 | 20 min | English with Captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zena returns home with her partner to grieve the loss of a family member and must keep a level head amongst relatives determined to disturb her peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THIS HOUSE THAT BEARS NO FRUIT, British Columbia Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Chantal Leong | Canada | 2026 | 6 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a Chinese-Canadian home, Mother knows best. A teen girl learns forgotten offerings of fruit carry consequences better left unsaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SCISSORS, Vancouver Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hannah Alline | United States | 2026 | 13 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provoked and angered, Terry fixates on the first woman he sees. His plot for revenge leads to a getaway cabin set for a wild night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOUR ITCHY BOYS, Canadian Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Hebert | United States | 2026 | 13 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four boys are forced to defend their humanity in a terrifying dystopian world by Emmy-nominee Andrew Hebert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KILLJOTE, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u00c1ngel Villahermosa | Spain | 2025 | 12 min | Spanish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that her husband is dead, Carmen is ready to leave her life behind and be with Mari, the woman she loves. But there’s one problem \u2014 Mari’s husband is still alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RUBINSTEIN\u2019S, North American Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tommy Ross-Williams | United Kingdom | 2026 | 15 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jade is drawn into an antique shop while searching for a gift for her partner. Buyers beware\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme: The Coast Is Queer (Shorts)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SUMMER FLING, Vancouver Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Krit Komkrichwarakool | Canada | 2025 | 13 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two men reunite once again for the annual summer festival, but the nature of their breezy hook-ups comes into question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EGG YOLK CUSTARD BUN (\u5976\u9ec3\u5305) (No Premiere)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Soya Wu | Canada | 2025 | 2 min | Cantonese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sticky. Steamy. Sweet. Prepare for a generous helping of pleasures at the dim sum table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MIRTH CONTROL AKA \u201cFAKING IT”, World Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Eva Grant, Yasmeen Grant | Canada | 2026 | 5 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A surreal feminist take on how patriarchy weaponizes laughter into a performance of pleasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MASCOTT, World Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Marilyne Lamontagne, Shane Savage | Canada | 2026 | 14 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A transmasculine actor finally gets his shot to be on live television, but only if he dons a bear costume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SHE\u2019S NONBINARY, Canadian Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jess McLeod | Canada | 2026 | 11 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"She's
Credit: Sydney Bunning | Courtesy of Respectfully Productions Inc<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nonbinary Max finally gets off the top surgery waitlist, prompting an identity crisis from Jake, their cis straight boyfriend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FADEAWAY, Vancouver Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Brendan Prost | Canada | 2025 | 14 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A closeted bisexual man grieves a lifeline connection after a fatal overdose. A performance-driven drama on loneliness starring Riley Davis and Matt Dejanovic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GALATEA, Canadian Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

C\u00e9line Ribard | Canada | 2025 | 8 min | No dialogue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A modern-day adaptation of a Greek myth in which the artist Pygmalion (Mya Lowe, Yellowjackets) falls in love with her beautiful statue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I Do (\u9858\u61b6), World Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kimberly Ho, Cynthia Zhou | Canada | 2026 | 14 min | English, Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lifelong dreams manifest for Jacob, a queer Taiwanese man, on the day of his wedding. While every seat is filled, the presence of a family member points him to the space between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme: Drag Darlings (Shorts)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

TETHER, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Matt Prazak | Canada | 2025 | 5 min | No dialogue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In need of a quick mend to his work vest, a man returns to the space that fulfilled him the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GUIHUA (\u6842\u82b1), Canadian Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Yixuan Wang | China | 2026 | 11 min | English, Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GuiHua, a charismatic drag performer, navigates the collision of family obligation, state authority, and queer self-expression while challenging his survival within the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VICTORIA\u2019S KING (VICTORIA KA RAJA), British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ayilya Thampuran | Canada | 2026 | 24 min | English, Hindi with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ayilya Thampuran\u2019s debut documentary follows Badshah, the first Bollywood drag king in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE DARLINGS – INTERLUDE, World Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jesse Ray McEachern | Canada | 2026 | 38 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filmed over six years, Ray McEachern charts the rise of The Darlings, a Vancouver-based drag quartet composed of Continental Breakfast, Maiden China, PM (season finalist from Season 6 of Canada’s Drag Race), and Rose Butch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme: AMOR (ES) CIEGO (Shorts)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SOFIA, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Camila de Ilh\u00e9us | United States | 2025 | 10 min | English and Portuguese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A waxing appointment at a local spa goes wrong for Sofia, leaving her with far more (or less) than she bargained for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MI\u00c9NTEME, North American Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Nico Blanco | United States | 2025 | 13 min | English and Spanish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Felipe and Catalina’s perfect wedding is turned upside down by an unexpected guest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TODAY & TMRW, Canadian Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Mariales Diaz Batista | United States | 2026 | 13 min | English, Spanish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best friends Mariah and Kimberly are inseparable. Bonds are tested when Mariah fi nds Kimberly with a boy, stirring their usual rhythms together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRABS IN THE AIR (CANGREJOS EN EL AIRE), Canadian Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Esteban Guerrero Carranco | Mexico | 2025 | 18 min | Spanish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iv\u00e1n flees from his boyfriend seeking refuge and freedom with an old flame. The past returns to challenge them to face what was left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MY GIRL (MI CHICA), Vancouver Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lariss de la Vega | Mexico | 2026 | 3 min | Spanish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colourful, playful, and sexy, this music video by RUBIO\u2014acclaimed Chilean singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist\u2014offers a vibrant celebration of queer love and desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHULO, International Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Joshua Hern\u00e1ndez | Puerto Rico | 2026 |15 min | English, Spanish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Gael reconnects with family and memory in Costa Rica, a chance encounter leaves a lasting impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAR FAR AWAY FROM LA (DOS CONEJAS), North American Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Rita Hostt, Maruja Bustamante | Argentina | 2025 | 17 min | English and Spanish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Coneja learns that you can take the girl out of Argentina, but when your intense situationship is not willing to emigrate either… well…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme: Joy Ride (Shorts)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

FIRST DEATH, Vancouver Premiere <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Alyssa Lerner | United States | 2026 | 25 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a complicated first life, Soul #659 (Kimia Behpoornia) refuses to let go of the love they left behind. Their plan to reunite with Leah (Vic Michaelis) forces them to confront what it truly means to cherish a life, however brief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FLIGHT RISK, Canadian Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Mohammad Awad | Australia | 2025 | 16 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muhammad\u2019s fruity holiday plans hit turbulence when airport security accuses him of intending to join ISIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ONE OR TWO, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lief Ramsaran | Canada | 2026 | 10 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tobi\u2019s visit to the optometrist captures the strange logic of moving on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YOU AND ME MAKES THREE, Vancouver Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Emmalie El Fadli | United Kingdom | 2026 | 19 min | English with captions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to the wild world of sperm donors, DIY insemination, and awkward conversations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THEY, WITH AN AXE (ENTR\u00d3 CON UN HACHA), British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cande L\u00e1zaro | Spain | 2025 | 14 min | Spanish with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Folklore, gossip, and gender collide in a witty interrogation of who gets to shape the stories we believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SOFIA, British Columbia Premiere<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Camila de Ilh\u00e9us | United States | 2025 | 10 min | English and Portuguese with English subtitles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A waxing appointment at a local spa goes wrong for Sofia, leaving her with far more (or less) than she bargained for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three world premiere short film projects in the Troublemakers Film Program are yet to be announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailer <\/i>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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