Section

QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Highlighting LGBTQ lives and issues, this spotlight includes films that celebrate diversity and explore the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community. Alok brings the story of a gender-nonconforming artist to life, while Amma’s Pride offers a more intimate family drama. These films embrace queer identity and advocacy, highlighting both struggles and triumphs while fostering a greater understanding of the LGBTQ experience.

Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Alok

Film Alok Directed by Alex Hedison Filmmaker Alex Hedison presents a compelling portrait of her friend, Alok Vaid-Menon, an acclaimed non-binary author, poet, comedian,...

Asian Focus, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Amma’s Pride

Film Amma’s Pride Directed by Shiva Krish “Amma’s Pride” chronicles Valli’s trials and tribulations as she watches her trans daughter Srija, fall in love, marry,...

Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Bender Defenders

Film Bender Defenders Directed by Ira Putilova Four members of the queer martial arts club “Bender Defenders” in East London celebrate trans people in sports...

International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Close Encounters

Film Close Encounters Directed by Ken McDonnell A dreamlike moment of reconciliation comes for two old lovers, torn apart over 20 years ago, who run...

Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Fierro

Film Fierro Directed by Edward Tyndall Richard Fierro, the Army veteran credited with stopping the Club Q mass shooter, recounts the life experiences that...

Human Rights Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Sixteen

Film Sixteen Directed by Naomi Iwamoto When a Japanese American teenage girl is faced with the reality of being sent to conversion therapy, she...

Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

The Callers

Film The Callers Directed by Lindsey Dryden “The Callers” blends anonymous Documentary testimony with creative scenes to capture the experiences of those who have reached...

Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

The Queen Vs. Texas

Film The Queen Vs. Texas Directed by Emil Lozada, Raemonn James In the fight for social justice and freedom of artistic expression, a drag queen makes sure Texas clearly...

Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

The Sound of Walking

Film The Sound of Walking Directed by Sche-Hao Wang A gay son is unexpectedly visited by his blind father while in the company of his boyfriend, a...