CHICAGO — Pride Film Fest celebrates its second decade with a new name—QUEER EXPRESSION—and has announced its slate of LGBTQ+-themed feature, mid-length and short films for in-person and virtual events in April and May.
QUEER EXPRESSION continues in-person screenings at FACETS on the last Wednesday of each month with QUEEN TUT, starring Chicago's Alexandra Billings, on April 24. And our quarterly series of BEST OF THE FEW new films will stream online from May 1 to 19.
QUEEN TUT is a 2023 Canadian coming-of-age drama film, directed by Reem Morsi.
The film centers on Nabil (Ryan Ali), a closeted gay teenager from Egypt who is grieving the recent death of his mother. Moving to Toronto to live with his estranged father Iskander (Dani Jazzar), a wealthy but emotionally distant property developer, he finds a new sense of belonging when he meets Malibu (Alexandra Billings), a transgender bar owner in the Church and Wellesley gay village whose nightclub is slated for demolition and redevelopment by Iskander.
QUEEN TUT was nominated for three Canadian Film Awards, including one for Alexandra Billings as Best Lead Performance in a Comedy Film.
QUEEN TUT is part of the Queer Expression film series at Facets which features a new queer film on the final Wednesday of each month. Showtime is 7 pm, and the screening is followed by a talk-back in the Facets Lounge. Tickets for the screening are $15 and can be purchased here.
Best of the QE Film Fest for Spring 2024 includes three programs.
Program A features nine shorts: Barbette + Fontaine, Last Dance, Lifeline, Only the Lovers, Single Use, Suit Karda: A Pride Campaign, The Bridges We Cross, The First Christmas of Noé, and The Remaining Sundays, and streams May 1 to May 14.
Program B includes three mid-length films: Cardiff, Jeanne, and My First Time - Self-Discovery, and streams from May 8 to 21.
Program C is the feature film SERAPHIM: The Motion Picture which streams May 15 to 28.
Tickets for each program are $12 and can be purchased here: www.goelevent.com/OpenSpaceArts/e/QueenTut .
Program A Details
Barbette + Fontaine 14 minutes, USA, directed by John-Carlos Estrada, Zak Zeh;
A century apart, two drag icons unite through art, resilience, and a shared legacy of self-expression and freedom. Leading the cast is Cynthia Lee Fontaine of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Last Dance, 12 minutes, Mexico, directed by Fernando Garzafox
Dance like everyone is watching, Love like nobody is. When Diego meets Raul, he finds love within.
Lifeline, 13 minutes, USA, Directed by Shaun Heard-Mckoy, Edwin Walker
Marcus has lived life with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Well, today it all comes crashing down when he terrifyingly contemplates suicide in a game of Russian roulette.
Only the Lovers, 14 minutes, USA, directed by Jocelyn Jihyun Koo
Amidst the imminent collision of Earth with a colossal planet, Amy, a closeted lesbian in her 70s, attends her friends' wedding ceremony. There, she reunites with Patricia, her secret love from their youth. Amy finally confesses her love to Patricia. In the face of impending catastrophe, they embrace their love and meet their fate together as the world ends.
Suit Karda: A Pride Campaign, 4 minutes, USA, Directed by Raashi Desai
This music video was part of a collaborative campaign with Aayka Fashion to highlight the queer South Asian community. Over 20 models and performers in the New York area joined together to celebrate self-expression and identity through fashion, and the opportunity to live out their Bollywood dreams on camera.
Single Use: 10 minutes, New Zealand, directed by Finn Hyndman.
Set in a small New Zealand beach town, it follows 20-year-old Noah, a young man plagued by constant discrimination after being publicly outed with HIV. During this film, we see him reconnect with Max, the boy who he once loved and who he acquired HIV from.
The Bridges We Cross, 8 minutes, UK, directed by Iris van Dongen
The story follows Henry and Bertie, two elderly gentlemen who are going into town to go to a concert. Bertie has middle to late Alzheimer's disease with Henry serving as his caretaker. As the couple walk through the town, they suddenly come across a bridge that evokes some unexpected memories.
The First Christmas of Noé, 9 minutes, France, directed by Alexis Renou
Noé and his sister mentally prepare themselves for the family meal that awaits them. The young man has delayed announcing his gender transition to his parents and arrives at the Christmas dinner as if nothing has changed, sporting a brand-new mustache.
The Remaining Sundays, 17 minutes, Spain, directed by Manolo Pavón
August 1993. Dani has just turned 13. His family moves to a house in the suburbs. The discovery of an abandoned box in his new closet takes Dani to Miguel, a much-needed example missing in his life.
Program B details:
Cardiff, 25 minutes, UK, directed by Sarah Smith
Perpetually single, Frederick envies his fabulous gay friend Joe, who seems to have a never-ending supply of paramours despite being happily married himself. But when Frederick's meddling mother arrives for a visit, she thrusts him into a forbidden romance, and a series of unforeseen betrayals hilariously expose some carefully held secrets.
Jeanne, 29 minutes, France, directed by Léo Holderbaum
Jeanne, a young woman of 22, recounts the last moments of her life in a letter addressed to her parents. On the path to accepting her trans-identity, she will meet Franck, a seemingly xenophobic man, whose confidante she will unwillingly become, to the point of no return.
My First Time - Self Discovery, 20 minutes, Australia, directed by Carolyn Gage
Made for queer people and their allies, 'My First Time' takes an unfiltered and heartfelt look at unforgettable first universal queer experiences from members from Australia's LGBTQ+ community.
Program C Details:
SERAPHIM: The Motion Picture, 72 minutes, USA, directed by R.E.D.
In the midst of a racially charged & socially turbulent Brooklyn, New York, an aspiring singer, Angel (Marck Angel), and a reformed street thug, Druid (Donta Hensley), attempt to requite their romance while confronting a troubled past.
ABOUT QUEER EXPRESSION
The QUEER EXPRESSION mission is to celebrate and amplify the diverse voices within the LGBTQ+ community through the powerful mediums of film and theater. We are dedicated to providing a platform for queer creators to showcase their unique perspectives, experiences, and artistic expressions. Through our curated selection of films and theatrical performances, we aim to foster understanding, empathy, and appreciation for the rich tapestry of queer culture. By championing inclusivity, authenticity, and creativity, we strive to inspire dialogue, provoke thought, and ignite social change. QUEER EXPRESSION is more than just a festival; it's a vibrant celebration of queer identity and a catalyst for meaningful storytelling that resonates with audiences worldwide.
QUEER EXPRESSION began in 2012 as Queer Bits, an in-person event curated by Pride Films and Plays. It later became Pride Film Fest, when in 2022, Open Space Arts became the sponsor for the now independent, year-round hybrid festival of in-person and streaming programs. It is a member of the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals.
David Zak is the Director of QUEER EXPRESSION, a film and theater program of Open Space Arts. His award-winning works over 40 years as a theater director ranged from the musical ANIMAL FARM to JERRY SPRING THE OPERA to THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER. He recently directed THE KRAMER PROJECT at Center on Halsted, MASSAGE THERAPY and SUNSETS for Open Space Arts. He has been awarded six Joseph Jefferson Awards for his work as a writer and director. He has been elected to the City of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, and is on the board of Chicago PrimeTimers. He produced Dan Pal's award-winning short film Counting for Pride Films and Plays.
QUEER EXPRESSION is sponsored by Open Space Arts, and tickets and details can be found at openspacearts.org . At Open Space Arts, our mission is to combat prejudice through the transformative power of creativity. Through our ARTS JUDAICA and QUEER EXPRESSION programs, we confront homophobia and antisemitism head-on using theater, film, and the arts. Our goal is simple yet profound: to foster understanding, acceptance, and empathy through engaging performances, readings, film screenings, workshops, and community outreach efforts. We are dedicated to championing the dignity of every individual, cultivating inclusive spaces where diverse voices are celebrated and authentic stories are told.
