While LGBT characters appeared in many titles, here's a rundown of the queerest features of Sundance 2006. Stick it on your refrigerator door and keep an eye out for these at local fests, theaters, and on cable.
All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise: LGBT ( and pro-LGBT ) families hit the high seas with hosts Rosie and Kelli O'Donnell in this moving HBO-produced documentary. It premieres on HBO on April 6.
The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros: A little Filipino boy who wants to be a girl falls in love with a policeman. Complicating the situation: the cop is investigating Maximo's criminal family. It's Ma Vie En Rose meets a poverty-ridden The Sopranos!
Forgiving the Franklins: A right-wing religious family goes uber-liberal after getting into a car accident—and meeting Jesus—in this satirical debut from out writer/director Jay Floyd. Gay porn star Zak Spears is the hunky coach who gives the Franklin son some very special lessons.
Kinky Boots: A brassy Black drag queen ( Chiwetel Ejiofor ) becomes the muse for a small-town shoe factory owner ( Joel Edgerton ) who endeavors to make women's footwear for men. Opens in NY/LA this April from Miramax.
The Night Listener: In director Patrick Stettner's adaptation of Armistead Maupin's novel, Robin Williams plays a radio host in the midst of a breakup with his boyfriend ( Bobby Cannavale ) and a mystery involving a JT LeRoy-esque teen author and his disturbed guardian ( Toni Collette ) . Miramax picked it up for $3 million.
Puccini For Beginners: The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love writer/director Maria Maggenti returns with a Woody Allen-esque screwball romantic comedy about a lesbian carrying on affairs with both a bi-curious straight girl ( Gretchen Mol ) and her boyfriend ( Angels in America's Justin Kirk ) .
Quinceañera: Winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer's follow-up to The Fluffer is an accomplished drama about a pregnant Mexican-American 14-year-old girl and her gay cousin.
Small Town Gay Bar: Produced by Kevin Smith, this documentary examines the importance and history of a pair of gay bars in deepest, darkest Mississippi. Small doesn't mean quaint, though—these down-home joints are more fun and scandalous than anything NYC or LA has to offer!
Wild Tigers I Have Known: A barely pubescent junior high school student falls for and tries to seduce an older boy in Cam Archer's provocative experimental feature. Gus Van Sant is the executive producer.
Wordplay: This funny, lovely documentary about crossword puzzle enthusiasts features an openly gay—and really nerdy—champion. IFC paid $1 million for its acquisition.
Wrestling With Angels: Playwright Tony Kushner: Tony Kushner's career, life and politics are profiled in Oscar-winner Freida Lee Mock's documentary. True to his 'I never go to opening night' habit, Kushner sat out the Sundance premiere.