2020 Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival Program by CQAS

PRESENTATION

JOIN THE DIGITAL FLOCK

THE 22ND ANNUAL FAIRY TALES QUEER

FILM FEST presented by

May 14 - 24,2020 www.fairytalesfilmfest.com

CONTENTS

Festival Schedule Ticket Information Executive Director Welcome Land Acknowledgement Sponsors and Donors Board of Directors Staff Team Youth Queer Media Program Programmers Awards Film Listings OutReels

Join the Flock

pg. 4-6 pg. 6 pg. 8-9 pg. 11 pg. 12 pg. 13 pg. 14-15 pg. 15 pg. 16 pg. 17 pg. 19-29 pg. 29-31

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE Thursday

May 14 Friday

May 15 Saturday

May 16 Sunday

May 17 Monday

May 18

7PM Stonewall: Paving the Way for Gay Pride 7PM We Are Dancers Hosted by Avenue Magazine

7:30PM Dry Wind

7PM Scream, Queen 9PM Nevrland

7PM Here 'N' Queer from Treaty 7 Film Collective

7PM Sexy Shorts Package

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE Tuesday

May 19 Wednesday

7PM Key of T 7:15PM Changing the Game

May 20

7PM Sex, Sin and 69"

Thursday

4PM Otherland/ Queering the Script

May 21 Friday

May 22

7PM International Shorts

7PM Button OUT!/ Bitter Years Hosted by Avenue Magazine

Saturday

May 23

3PM Dear Freddy Seniors Day hosted by East Village

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE Sunday

5PM Explorations of Identity Package

May 24

TICKET AND PASS INFORMATION Ticket Prices Single "Seat" Tickets:

Passes and Prices $10

Discount "Seat" Tickets : $8

3-Film Pass: $25 Full Festival Pass: $90

Discount Applies to: CQAS members Students Seniors Artists Essential Workers Friends of CJSW Magpies

Where To Buy www.fairytalesfilmfest.com https://xerb.tv/channel/ftff/virtual-events Screenings ARE subject to online capacity so don't delay and get your tickets in advance to avoid a full house.

Refunds/Exchanges Please read all film descriptions carefully and review the film's rating before purchasing your ticket. Exchanges can be made by emailing info@calgaryqueerartssociety.com.

Film Ratings Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival rates films in accordance with the parameters outlined in the Film and Video Classification Act and Regulations. Ratings ensure that all patrons have an enjoyable experience while making sure the audience is age appropriate. Please check online to determine the rating for each screening.

WELCOME Welcome Had anyone asked me in 2013 if I could imagine Fairy Tales entirely online, I would have said absolutely not. It was my first year with the festival and I distinctly remember that film fest organizers everywhere were concerned about trends being set by services like Netflix; they were wreaking havoc on commercial movie theatres and folks were suddenly opting to stay home and ‘binge watch’, that new phrase and favourite past time for many. Our festival was about showing up and participating in community, even passively. It was about coming together, shoulder to shoulder, to see ourselves as queers on screen, maybe for the only time that year, maybe for the first time ever. Over the years we’ve seen a massive shift in the types of queer stories told on screen. We’ve witnessed three generations of activists and storytellers, passing the torch despite political pressures, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and embracing the call to examine our own complex intersections. Last year we celebrated 50 years since the Stonewall Riots. 50 years, now that’s a milestone. More recently, trans and nonbinary folks are finding new ways to shape their own narratives, and we’re beginning to hold space for the voices of Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Colour, something we should have done since the beginning. And our seniors are making strides to age as their authentic selves, something they deserve after fighting for the grace that so many of us enjoy today. Community for LGBT people looked different at each generational turn. In Calgary it was Club Carousel, the Green Room, Myrts, Money Pennies or Rooks. It was dances at Max Bell Arena and dark corners at Detours. And once it was safe to come out of those corners, youth began stealing up staircases off 17th Ave to attend the InsideOut youth group, and school groups began forming across the province where kids attending GSAs could gather for lunch and a sense of safety among peers. My first Pride included a record attendance, 2000 people at Olympic Plaza. To imagine Calgary Pride with 100,000 people seemed impossible, and yet they exceeded that number last year. Community is about so much more than places or numbers though; it’s about the feeling we get when we come together, that deep sense of gratitude in knowing that we’re not alone; it’s about connection, and it’s the one thing about Fairy Tales that’s never changed.

WELCOME Welcome For years now we’ve seen queer characters evolve, from assumptions to stereotypes to complex, multidimensional humans. The film industry is also changing; advances in technology and accessible platforms allow us to tell our own stories in new and exciting ways. At our inception, Fairy Tales was created to ensure queer stories were being told, and to give creators a platform where the queerness of their content would not prevent them from being celebrated by audiences. Today we hold space in much the same way, still finding with each other that deep sense of gratitude. For years now we’ve seen queer characters evolve, from assumptions to stereotypes to complex, multidimensional humans. The film industry is also changing; advances in technology and accessible platforms allow us to tell our own stories in new and exciting ways. At our inception, Fairy Tales was created to ensure queer stories were being told, and to give creators a platform where the queerness of their content would not prevent them from being celebrated by audiences. Today we hold space in much the same way, still finding with each other that deep sense of gratitude. So, despite our physical distance this year, we invite you to remember that first time you saw yourself on screen, the first time you realized you were not alone, and to settle in with us, from May 14-24 for ten evenings of films that you cannot see anywhere else. This year, with thanks to our supporters and festival goers like you, Fairy Tales remains a space for us to gather; a place to share stories, experience unique perspectives, and find ourselves in the process. From the comfort of your living room, you will find in this year’s films the opportunity to share grief, fall in love, get inspired, and escape into much needed laughter. Community, it turns out, is wherever we find a sense of belonging, wherever we find our flock. From the entire team at Fairy Tales, thank you for finding your way to join us, we look forward to seeing you at the movies! James Demers (He/Him) Executive Director Calgary Queer Arts Society

Thank you for joining the flock for the T H E 2 2 N D ANNUAL FAIRY TALES QUEER FILM FESTIVAL

FILM FEST

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Calgary Queer Arts Society would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that we operate on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations) this land is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. We acknowledge the traditional care givers of this land and the importance of a commitment to continued decolonisation of our work for the dignity and equity of all. We would like also recognize that Treaty 7 is about a relationship we all actively share in, as settlers and original peoples. A relationship needs to be open, honest, respectful, mutually beneficial and grounded in meaningful reconciliation.

SPONSORS AND DONORS Fairy Tales thrives because of our generous funders, sponsors and donors!

YOUTH QUEER MEDIA PROGRAM

OUTREELS

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dear Friends:On behalf of Calgary Queer Arts Society’s board of directors, thank you for joining us on a journey of celebration. Whatever form it takes, the Fairy Tales Film Festival wouldn’t exist without the support of our community; whether through donations, volunteering, or joining the flock of movie goers, thank you for your support and for welcoming us into your spaces. As you all know, this year’s festival presents a unique opportunity for Fairy Tales to try something new; this year we partner with you to host the festival online. As we look to build community digitally, we also invite you to join the flock at Queerantine Corner where you’ll find established and new artists, young, old, Black, white, Latino, Indigiqueer, Two Spirit, Asian, differently abled and more. We hope you find content there, and in this year’s films, that you see yourself in and from which you draw strength. We recognize that many are struggling, whether because of health concerns, job loss, or the ongoing impact of physical distancing. It is my hope that by sharing our stories, despite our distance, that we can share the strength to get through these challenging times. Now, more than ever, it is vitally important to share the queer stories that will build a better world for all of us. Together, we are strong. Together, we are resilient. Together, we will make it through.

Daniel B.R. Johnson (He/Him) President, Calgary Queer Arts Society

BOARD President

Dan B. R. Johnson

Past President Heather Grant

Treasurer Ian Krell

Secretary

Samantha Jenkins

Directors

Sean Alley Candace Cummings-Hanni

FAIRTY TALES FILM FESTIVAL STAFF Welcome to the 22nd Annual Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival - from your house! Resiliency. It's something our community knows well. Where do we turn when we're being oppressed? How do we cope with forces outside of our control? What gives us hope for tomorrow? For queer people, the answer to that has always been through community. When COVID-19 rained all over our collective parades, we decided there was nothing to do but make the most of it. Keep telling stories, keep widening our community. the human spirit abounds with creativity, inspiration and, of course, diversity - and we'll keep finding ways to share and amplify it. No matter what. So let's take some time to learn about each other's resiliencies. Let's hear each other's stories. And maybe from that, we'll learn how to be more resilient in our own lives. Osmosis through story-telling. So sit back, relax, order beer from Eighty Eight or wine from Vine Arts. Make some popcorn (the more butter the better), and enjoy the show! We invite (and encourage!) you to engage with these artists, and with each other, through our real-time discussion rooms, artist and programmer Q&A's, and on social medai by using the hash tags #queerartsyyc or #fairytalesfilmfestyyc. We aslo hope you will show some love to our local artists, whose work we are proud to hi-light before each screening over the festival. Follow them on social media, buy their work and share their art! We need our artists more than ever right now. So, wherever you are, we are thrilled that you are 'here,' as we embark on digital festival together!

OUR TEAM Executive Director and Programmer James Demers

Director of Development Erin Jenkins

Marketing Director Heather Shaw

Operations Coordinator Marissa Cupples

Co-Technical Directors Matt McKinney Veronica Reeves

Katimavik Volunteer Calvin Black

Production Partner Binder Productions

2020 Guide Designer

Heather Shaw

2020 Illustrator and Theme Designer Helen Young

YOUTH QUEER MEDIA PROGRAM Mentors, Instructors and Technicians: Andi Somers, Phil Bowen, Vicki Chau, Emma Brocklebank, Suitaakii Black, James Demers Film Screening TBD.

PROGRAMMING As I sit here and contemplate all the ways in which our world has changed and will continue to change in these ever evolving and challenging times, I have never been more aware of how integral queer art and artists are. We have all made significant changes to adjust to this new normal and the Fairy Tales Film Festival is no exception. The festival may have a different look and feel this year, but our team of twenty-three folks of diverse perspectives maintains our commitment to program well rounded and thought-provoking content that looks at both where we are as a community now and how we got here. As intersectional communities, we recognize our shared histories in the struggles we have faced and in the victories that we celebrate. We acknowledge these histories, while learning and teaching through our art and expression. These are the things we use to forge a connection to each other, and it is through these connections that we will thrive. In the few years I have participated as a programmer, I have noticed that the content we receive is a real reflection of the times we live in as it ebbs and flows with our struggles and victories across the globe. These times will be no different and we will be excited to see what ramifications it will have on the kinds of intersectional and queer art we create.It has been a pleasure to take part in this process and our hope is to engage and inspire our communities in a shared experience that will transcend our individual and communal struggles and celebrate the victories that are to come. Rebecca Holm

PROGRAMMING TEAM Aaron Baranec, Adam Legace, AJ Smith, Alex Rettie, Amber Nicole, Amy Dyck, Conrad Belau, David Melrose, Devang Sampat, Ian Krell, Jacob Scott, Leia Pedulla, Mike Horne, Nat Baker, Olive Golosky, Raewyn Reid, Rebecca Holm, Robyn Paul, Roh Prasad, Shelby Adams, Taz Zandboer.

AWARDS Audience Favourites Awards will be chosen by YOU and announced after the conclusion of the Festival.

Programmer's Choice Awards: Best Feature Film: Dear Freddy Best Documentary Film: Changing the Game Best Short Film: Button Out!

Audience Favourite Awards: Best Feature Film: Presented by RBC Best Documentary Film: Presented by Avenue Magazine Best Short Film: Presented by Eighty Eight Brewing

To vote on your favourites we will have a poll on Facebook each evening. @QueerArtsYYC

FILM LISTINGS Stonewall: Paving the Way for Gay Pride Co-hosted with the Boring Little Girls Club

Every year in June, the Gay Pride parade is a wild party. It hasn’t always been like this. While 2020 marks its 50th anniversary, it was originally the first time gays and lesbians walked the streets in New York, claiming publicly to be out, and this procession was intended to commemorate the Stonewall riots that had occurred a year earlier. Directed by: Mathilde Fassin. USA/ 52 min / 2020/ English. Age: All

Friday

May 15 7PM

Thursday

May 14 7PM

We Are Dancers: Hosted by Avenue Magazine BAFTA Shortlisted and BIFA Longlisted, We are Dancers is a period drama set in 1933 Berlin about Hansi Sturm, an anti-Nazi cabaret drag-artist, and his friends the day after the Reichstag fire. Hansi must decide whether to abandon his club or stay to face the Nazis his former lover has told him will come there to seek revenge Produced by the Short Film. Germany / 30 mins / 2019 / German. Age: 13+

Dry Wind

Co-hosted with HIV Community Link

Sandro works in the human resources department of a mining company. At the end of the day he finds his colleague Ricardo in the nearby forest where they have sex. Regularly he goes to the swimming pool where he fantasizes about the beautiful Maicon who does not notice him. When he starts working for the same company, Sandro's desire turns into an obsession. Directed by Daniel Nolasco. Germany / 1hr 45 min/ 2020/ Spanish/ German/ English. Age: 18+

Friday

May 15 7:30PM

FILM LISTINGS Scream,Queen: My Nightmare On Elm Street Co-hosted with Calgary Underground Film Festival

Campy and homoerotic, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 has often been called the gayest horror film that Hollywood's ever made. For one young actor, it was a true nightmare, as the homophobic backlash banished him into Garbolike exile. This defiant documentary tells the triumphant tale of the "revenge of first male scream queen," while also cautioning today’s LGBTQ community that the nightmare isn’t over. Directed by Roman Chimienti & Tyler Jensen. USA / 1hr 40 min/ 2019/ English. Age: 13+

Saturday

May 16 9PM

Saturday

May 16 7PM

Nevrland

Co-hosted with Calgary Underground Film Festival

In this dark, sexy, psychological coming-of-age drama, 17-year-old Jakob works at a slaughterhouse and struggles with crippling anxiety. Jakob takes refuge in the Internet, where he meets 26-year-old artist Kristjan on a camchat site. Caught between reality and fantasy, youth and adulthood, Jakob’s blurry process of sexual awakening is a psychedelic trip of hot, strange hallucinatory sequences of desire and madness. Directed by Gregor Schmidinger. USA / 1hr 40 min/ 2019/ English. Age: 18+

ᐊᑎᓱᑲᐣ Aadizookaan: Here 'N' Queer Treaty 7 Film Collective When three cousins embark on a camping trip, Shania chooses to bring along a book of stories, or Aadizookaan, her favourite possession. The cousins ask for a story to entertain around the fire, but remembering the teachings of her Nookom, Shania refuses. Her wishes aren’t respected, and what follows is a harrowing reminder of the importance of protocol when telling stories, and the consequences of speaking these stories while the spirits are listening. Directed by Kale Swampy. Turtle Island / 6:31 min / English. Age: 9+

Sunday Italian 102: Here 'N' Queer Treaty 7 Film Collective

May 17 7:10PM

They flirted in Italian 101, now it’s time for Jen and Riley to go out on their first date. But when they run into unwanted leers and hostility from strangers, Jen struggles to find the courage to be herself around Riley. Directed by Emily Gutierrez. Turtle Island / 8:40 min / English. Age: All .

Community Partners

Sunday

May 17 7PM

FILM LISTINGS Powwowpower: Here 'N' Queer Treaty 7 Film Collective Powwowpower is a celebration of Contemporary Indigenous Culture exhibited by friends and family at the 2019's Annual Tsuu T'ina Pow Wow in Treaty 7 as we follow Non-Binary and Two Spirit Dancer Rae Tanner. Directed by Suitaakii Black. Turtle Island / 3:40 mins / English. Age: All

Sunday

May 17 7:25PM

Sunday

May 17 7:20PM

Gay As In Happy: A Queer Anti-Tragedy: Here 'N' Queer Treaty 7 Film Collective An experimental autoethnographical documentary about queer joy, resistance, and resilience in the face of abuse, trauma, and transphobia. Directed by Jordana Valerie Allen-Shim. Turtle Island / 3:22 min / English. Age: All

This Bright Flash: Here 'N' Queer Treaty 7 Film Collective As World War III breaks out, Adam, a gay man on the verge of a break up must rescue his estranged partner, Craig, before the hydrogen bomb reaches Seattle. Project inspired by M83’s This Bright Flash. Directed by Rylan Friday. Turtle Island / 8:16 min / English. Age: All

Woman Dress: Here 'N' Queer Treaty 7 Film Collective

Sunday

May 17 7:40PM

Pre-contact, a Two Spirit person named Woman Dress travels the Plains, gathering and sharing stories. Featuring archival images and dramatized re-enactments, this film shares a Cuthand family oral story, honouring and respecting Woman Dress without imposing colonial binaries on them. Directed by Thirza Cuthland. Turtle Island / 6:28 min / English. Age: All

Join the Digital Flock

Sunday

May 17 7:30PM

FILM LISTINGS Porn Yesterday: Sexy Shorts Package Co-hosted with Centre for Sexuality

Queer people remember their first experiences with porn. Directed by David Quantic. USA / 5 min / English. Age: 18+

Monday

May 18 7:08PM

Monday

May 18 7PM

Not Your Ordinary Sister: Sexy Shorts Package Co-hosted by Centre for Sexuality

'Not Your Ordinary Sister'' is a queer satire which, in a witty yet direct way, addresses both the startling popularity of lesbian vampire films as well as the lack of proper representation in queer cinema on the subject of queerness within the conservative and patriarchal religious organizations (lesbian nuns / lesbian ex-nuns). Directed by Maša Zia Lenárdič & Anja Wutej. German / 4:15 min / 2019 / English. Age: 13+

I Have Mike Pence's Dick In a Pickle Jar: Want To See: Sexy Shorts Package Co-hosted by Centre for Sexuality

While cruising for sex, a gay man has a once in a lifetime chance to right some recent political wrongs and make America great again. By Todd Verow. USA / 5 min / English. Age: 18+

Monday

May 18 7:15PM

FILM LISTINGS Confessional: Sexy Shorts Package Co-hosted by Centre for Sexuality

A teenage Catholic girl has been dreaming of 'unnatural passions' and feels she must confess to her school priest. As she stumbles over her carefully prepared speech, choking on words that do not ring true, she learns the delicious joy of owning her desires. Directed by Louise Cooke Miranda Horn. UK / 4 min / 2019 / English. Age: 13+

Monday

May 18 7:30PM

May 18 7:25PM

Next Level Shit: Sexy Shorts Package

Co-hosted by Centre for Sexuality

Taylor (Ben Baur) prepares obsessively for the perfect third date with dreamboat Chris (Daniel K. Isaac), but his efforts backfire, sending the relationship spiraling to a whole new level of intimacy. Directed by Gary Jaffe. USA / 11 min / 2019 / English. Age: 18+

Stalls: Sexy Shorts Package Co-hosted by Centre for Sexuality

Jonathan goes to the restroom in the middle of an opera performance. He has a very specific mission. He takes off his marriage ring and opens the secret golden glory hole hidden inside one of the stalls. Now, he waits for someone to come in so he can be on his knees. Finally, after taping his feet in what looks like a tap-dancing sequence he is able to find another man willing to give him what he wants. Directed by Joao Dallstella. USA / 3 min / 2020 / English. Age: 18+

Monday

May 18 7:50PM

Monday

The Ritual of the Sex Magick Warriors: Sexy Shorts Co-hosted by Centre for Sexuality

The Sex Magick Warriors are organizing, they reveal themselves to the city and risk it all to carry out an obscure objective. The colors pink and teal are the embodiment of Magick, Art and Sexuality and their use by the warriors spills the tea on their means for survival in these harsh urban environments. The ritual exposes the hardships of this army of lovers and reveals their sensual strategy for self preservation. Directed by Maximilian Suillerot. Canada / 14 min / 2019 / English. Age: 18+

Get Your Merch at Tee Public

Monday

May 18 7:45PM

FILM LISTINGS The Tragic Fall of Valerie Mallory Finkerstein: Sexy Shorts Package Co-hosted by Centre for Sexuality

What's more urgent than love? On the day of her best friend's surprise birthday party, Valerie must publicly confess her love for Ava or lose her forever. Directed by Martina Monro. Canada / 13 min / 2019 / English. Age: 13+

May 18 8:15PM

The Key of T

Tuesday

Co-hosted by Skipping Stone

May 19 7PM

What happens to a singer's voice when they undergo testosterone therapy? Choral singer Ari Agha and UCalgary voice prof Laura Hynes talk about researching what happens during a major voice transition, and crafting a performance from the results. Directed by Mike McKinnon and Ash Chugg. Canada / 13 min / 2019 / English. Age: All

Changing the Game Co-hosted by Skipping Stone

Michael Barnett’s dynamic documentary takes us into the lives of three transgender high school athletes — all at different stages of their athletic seasons, personal lives, and their unique paths as transgender teens. Experiencing both success and fierce resistance in the world of sports; this film is their urgent, articulate plea. Directed by Michael Barnett. USA / 1hr 30 min / 2019 / English. Age: All

Wednesday

May 20 7PM

Monday

Sex, Sin and 69': Hosted by Avenue Magazine

Sex, Sin & 69’ is a 80-minute historical, retrospective film about the 1969 legislation to ‘decriminalize’ homosexuality.Told through contemporary voices including queer academics, historians, activists, educators, artists, and community builders, the film attempts to challenge our understanding of queer history by shining a light on widely adopted misconceptions surrounding decriminalization. Directed by Wesley Reibeling. Canada / 1hr 14 min / 2109 / English. Age: 9+

Join the Digital Flock

Tuesday

May 19 7:30PM

FILM LISTINGS Otherland

Thursday

A young Vogue dancer presents himself for the first time at a Voodoo Carnival Ball. He recalls his past and all the changes he went through in order to get here. Based upon the biographical story of Elvin Elejandro Locadia. By Jan Pieter Tuinstra. Netherlands/ 13 min / English. Age: 13+

Queering the Script

Thursday

May 21 4:15PM

May 21 4PM

Queering the Script tells the story of one slice of this fan base: the queer female superfan, and their relationship to the creators that make their favourite TV idols. Directed by by Gabriella Zilkha. Canada / 1hr 25 min / 2019 / English. Age: All

Beyond Papers: International Shorts Package Co-hosted by Rainbow Railroad

The stop-motion short film is showing a fictional therapy session. In Germany there is a law, which requires people who would like to change their gender in official state documents, to go through two long-winded psychiatric examinations. During these a lot of really weird and disturbing questions are being asked in order to pathologize the person. Directed by Luzie Ilgner. Germany / 3 min / English. Age: 18+

CUPE Local 1169 bargains on behalf of library workers ensuring their right to fair wages, benefits, a healthy safe worksite and is the voice of the membership in discussions with management.

Your Downtown Calgary Dentist @eastvillagedentalyyc

Thursday

May 21 7PM

FILM LISTINGS Don't Blame Jack: International Shorts Package Co-hosted by Rainbow Railroad

“Don’t Blame Jack” follows the newly diagnosed, manic-depressive, Jack, as he battles with the thought of life without his beloved ‘mania’. Now on a daily cocktail of antipsychotics and antidepressants Jack searches for the adrenaline fuelled, extraordinary manic highs in the most ordinary of places. Jack escapes his drab, routine-filled existence by jumping into the arms of strangers, searching for moments of magic. Directed by Dale John Allen. UK / 29 min / 2019 / English. Age: All

Thursday

May 21 7:10PM

Shorts Package Thursday Hanging By a Thread: International Co-hosted by Rainbow Railroad

May 21 7:45PM

"Hanging By A Thread" is my final BA Animation film, highlighting the struggle of loneliness and irrational thought. Through being a diabetic and having a phobia of needles, to having an ever looming presence of being lonely, the film discusses confidence issues, confidence barriers and what it truly means to hang by a thread. Directed by Russell Atkinson. UK / 23 min / 2019 / English. Age: All

Dante vs. Muhammed Ali: International Shorts Package Co-hosted by Rainbow Railroad

When Wolf refuses to fight his best friend Alexander during a weekly boxing match, the whole village turns against him. He tries to convince Alexander to join him leaving the village, but his overly romantic message runs into a wall. Directed by Tobias Cornelissen. Netherlands / 25 min / 2019 / English. Age: 13+

Thursday

May 21 8:45PM

Butterflies In Berlin: International Shorts Package

Co-hosted by Rainbow Railroad

Alex moves to Berlin in 1933, during the Weimar Republic period. Looking for his place in the world and his sexual identity, he becomes the first out-ofsurgery transsexual in History. That happens unfortunately during the National-Socialism rise, a social disruption that turned the capital of sexual freedom in the most repressed country of all times. Directed by Monica Manganelli. Germany / 24 min / 2109 / English / German / Italian. Age: All

Thursday

May 21 8:15PM

FILM LISTINGS Badassery: International Shorts Package Co-hosted by Rainbow Railroad

This compelling exposé takes a look at three female DJs who are disrupting the Toronto hip-hop scene. The film chronicles the journey of women who are pursuing their passions and crafting their careers in a male-dominated industry. From the up-and-coming independent curator to the global powerhouse, these creatives have crafted a brand for themselves as industry leaders, without compromising who they are. Directed by Sarafina McIntosh, Demi Valentine & Sunita Miya-Muganza. Canada / 22 min / 2018 / English. Age: All

Friday

May 22 7PM

Button OUT! is a lively animated personal homage to the filmmakers own history of protest and the wider story of LGBTQ2S+ experiences contained in the collection of over 1200 buttons housed at The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives in Toronto. Directed by Kathleen Mullen. Canada/ 4 min / 2018 / English. Age: All

Bitter Years retraces the life of Mario Mieli, among the founders of the Italian Homosexual Liberation Movement, created at the beginning of the Seventies. Born in 1952 in Milan, Mario killed himself in 1983, before he was 31. He was an activist, an intellectual, a writer and a performer: a key figure in the Italian cultural panorama at that time. He liked to provoke and to be an innovator but, today, his thought has been completely forgotten. Directed by Andrea Adriatico. Italy / 1hr 52 min / 2019 / English / Italian. Age: All

May 23 3PM

May 21 9:20PM

Button OUT!

Bitter Years: Hosted by Avenue Magazine

Saturday

Thursday

Dear Freddy: Seniors Day by East Village Freddy Hirsch was a proud homosexual Jew. He ran a daycare center for 600 kids in Auschwitz. Freddy was admired by his kids and fought to his last breath to maintain their human dignity. His death on the eve of a revolt he led has remained a mystery until this film. Directed by Rubi Gat. Israel / 1hr 3 min / 2107 / English. Age: 13+

Friday

May 22 7:05PM

FILM LISTINGS Take Me To Prom: Exploration of Identity Package Sunday Featuring intimate, charming interviews with queer people ranging in age from 88 to 17, "Take Me To Prom" invites audiences to revisit an iconic adolescent milestone while telling a story of social change that spans more than 70 years. Directed by Hands Up Films Inc. Canada/ 21 min / 2019 / English. Age: All

Sunday

May 24 7:30PM

Altrustic: Exploration of Identity Package 10 years ago in the UK, Steven and Ivan dreamt of having a child of their own. In an act of true altruism, Steven’s sister Lorna came to the rescue Directed by Emma Edwards. UK / 3:47 min / 2019 / English. Age: All

TOP 3: Exploration of Identity Package Top 3 is an animated romantic comedy about love, lists and what happens after falling helplessly in love.In this funny, bittersweet romantic comedy from Sweden, perpetual list-maker Anton falls in love with David, but things start to go awry when Anton realizes that his dreams in life might be in direct opposition to David’s. Directed by Sofie Edvardsson. Sweden / 44min / 2020 / English. Age: All

Sunday

May 24 8:45PM

May 24 7PM

Unbecoming: Exploration of Identity Package We all try to be something, to become someone. Unbecoming follows Logan’s journey as he fights to “unbecome” everything he’s been until now, that wasn’t really him in the first place. Directed by Navid Mashayekhi. Canada / 19 min / 2019 / English. Age: All

Sunday

May 24 7:35PM

FILM LISTINGS The Art of the Morining: Explorations of Identity Package A lyrical look at how one person prepares for the day ahead, savouring each moment. Directed by Nathan Hauch. Canada / 5:47 min / English. Age: 18+

Sunday

May 24 9:10PM

Sunday

May 24 9PM

Hole: Explorations of Identity Package Mo is an adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They spend a lot of time in their brain. Today, a hole started following them. Directed by Gil Goletski. Canada / 6 min / 2018 / English. Age: All

EDUCATION

Since 2009, we have delivered over 500 diversity education workshops for thousands of Albertans, using film as a vehicle for learning, discussion and empathy.Whether you'd like to host a screening for your high school class, university student group or seniors centre, we’ll come to you to facilitate a discussion on a topic of your choice. Our films, and the remarkable dialogue that follows, will stimulate, inspire, and foster compassion through understanding.