Section

QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Highlighting LGBTQ lives and issues, this spotlight includes films that celebrate diversity and explore the challenges the LGBTQ community faces. These films embrace queer identity and advocacy, highlighting both struggles and triumphs while fostering a greater understanding of the LGBTQ experience.

Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

0∞

Film 0∞ Directed by Mar Sudac Gus and Clark — married, late 30s — would like to apply for a mortgage. Their small but…

QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

Acting Like Women

Film Acting Like Women Directed by Cheri Gaulke Revisiting the groundbreaking feminist performance art movement in 1970s Los Angeles, one artist spotlights the inspirational, transformational, radical…

Asian Focus, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

After the Song

Film After the Song Directed by Ryohei KUMAMOTO Kiita, a 14-year-old boy, grows up surrounded by music under the care of his blind mother, Hanae, who…

Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

After What Happened at the Library

Film After What Happened at the Library Directed by Syra McCarthy Akita the drag queen hasn't left her apartment in days. Her inboxes overflow with messages of praise, concern,…

American Indie Spotlight, ARCHIVAL, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

And Again I Dream

Film And Again I Dream Directed by Catherine Gund, Mariah Norman Ivy Young (1947-2023), a journalist and organizer, knows that mainstream society will not preserve her story after she's…

American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

Beware the Wolves

Film Beware the Wolves Directed by Alex Bush While isolated at their estranged grandparents' home, two children begin to suspect that their elders may be more…

American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

CAITY

Film CAITY Directed by Lindsay Calleran 16 year-old Caity and her newly sober father, Paul, co-operate their family business: a locally-beloved haunted house. When…

American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

hi mom

Film hi mom Directed by SM Goldberger Maya struggles to find the right words to come out to her mom.

Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Spanish-Language Focus

Inside

Film Inside Directed by Alvaro G. Company, Mario Hernandez For 80 years, Elías hasn’t been his true self. Until today.

Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

JIA

Film JIA Directed by Sam Mandich In the haze of a California summer, two best friends must reckon with their feelings for one another.

American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Junkie

Film Junkie Directed by William Means Perpetual screwup Stevie (Rocky Shay) is running on empty having just escaped from rehab [again]. On a quest…

Human Ties, International Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Spanish-Language Focus

Lonely Nights

Film Lonely Nights Directed by Julián Acosta Vera Andres, a shy, upper-class young man, begins an unexpected relationship with Lorena, a young prostitute controlled by a…

American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

Love Loaded

Film Love Loaded Directed by Jan Miller Corran When is a threat an idle threat and when is it a serious threat? Dr. Jack Scanlon is…

Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

My NDA

Film My NDA Directed by Juliane Dressner and Miriam Shor Bound by non-disclosure agreements that forbid them from even acknowledging they signed one, three individuals risk everything by…

American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Out of the Woods

Film Out of the Woods Directed by Sal Bardo Max is slowing losing her memory. When she reunites with an old friend, Diana, a long-hidden part of…

Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Plumped

Film Plumped Directed by Faye Tsakas, Nora DeLigter Inspired by Les Blank’s seminal short film Gap-Toothed Women (1987), Plumped is an honest, direct-to-camera survey film in…

Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Show-Me Cinema

Ronita Rambo

Film Ronita Rambo Directed by Michael Doshier At a small-town diner in rural Missouri, a tough-talking waitress finds the courage to ask a pair of…

Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

Tim Miller Citizen Artist: Performing Stories to Change the Ending

Film Tim Miller Citizen Artist: Performing Stories to Change the Ending Directed by Keenan OReilly Citizen Artist explores the life and career of the internationally acclaimed performance artist Tim Miller who, over his…

American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

What Will I Become?

Film What Will I Become? Directed by Lexie Bean, Logan Rozos Winner of the Amnesty International Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, What Will I Become? explores…