Official Selections: 8th LA Queer Film Festival
Congratulations to our accepted filmmakers!
Films are listed in alphabetical order, index to the left.
Scroll Down to learn more about each film.
Sapphic Saw
Short
Hollywood Premiere
A lesbian couple awakens in a room with no recollection of how they got there, and soon discovers their rocky relationship is being put to the ultimate test as their captor forces them to play a series of games to save not only their lives, but more importantly their relationship.
Directors: Morgan Miller and Eric Lombart
Producers: Morgan Miller and Amber Grace
Writer: Morgan Miller
Cast: Morgan Miller, Amber Grace, Tam Young, Barry Rothbart
Cinematographer: Eric Lombart
Editor: Will Mayo
Awards: Winner Best Horror Comedy at the Studio City Film Festival, Winner Best Comedy Story at the Hollywood Queer Short Film Festival, Official Selection SaFFlicks Film Festival, Official Selection LA Queer Film Fest, Los Angeles Short Film Awards Finalist, and Honorable Mention Hollywood Shortsfest.
See You
Music Video
World Premiere.
The Music Video is about a man reminiscing about a failed relationship by returning to the beach he and his boyfriend used to visit, where he uncovers good memories while burying the pain in hopes of closure.
Director: Rommel Villa.
Producer: Rajat Patel.
Writer: Nate Owen.
Cast: Nate Owen, Jean Estevez.
Cinematographer: Joy Sharma.
Editor: Rommel Villa
The music video is based on Nate's first gay relationship after coming out of the closet. It was inspired by a box of Polaroids of Nate and his ex that he found in the back of his closet in a little brown box.
Website:www.rommelvillafilms.com /@rommelvb
Instagram: @nateowenmusic
Take Care
Music Video
LA Premiere
As two rival teams come face to face at the most important match of the season, the finals, two star crossed lovers on the opposing teams may cost their teammates everything.
Director: Christina Fu
Producer: Christina Fu, Dan On, Nathan Rivers
Writer: Christina Fu
Cast: Alycia Chin Tong, Mariela Shuley
Cinematographer: Fabiola Dominguez Gonzalez
Editor: Fabiola Dominguez Gonzalez
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinapfu/
The Rebrand
Feature
West Coast Premiere
A Lesbian Found Footage Horror Comedy
This wild take on the found footage genre follows pregnant videographer Nicole (Naomi Silver-Vézina) as she documents the “redemption” of lesbian influencer couple Thistle and Blaire—only to uncover their dark agenda.
As Nicole navigates the unsettling dynamics between psychotic content-queen Thistle (Nancy Webb) and her codependent, heartthrob financée Blaire (Andi E McQueen), she becomes ensnared in their demented plans. What begins as a job documenting the influencer’s comeback spirals into mayhem as Nicole must confront the very real danger behind their oh-so aesthetic façade.
Directed by Kaye Adelaide
Written by Kaye Adelaide & Nancy Webb
Produced by Mariel Sharp, True Sweetheart Films
Starring Nancy Webb, Andi E McQueen, and Naomi Silver-Vézina
Fresh from its win as Best Feature at the Queer Fear Film Festival in October 2024, Kaye Adelaide’s unhinged mockumentary The Rebrand will have its west coast premiere at the 8th LA Queer Film Festival.
Production company: https://truesweetheartfilms.com/
The Second First Kiss
Short
Emmett is new to dating men. Theo is not. But after their first date ends awkwardly, can the two find a middle ground?
Director: Mathias Blake
Producer: Matt Schutz, Mathias Blake, M. Lamourt, and Jeffrey Paschal
Writer: Matt Schutz
Cast: Jeffrey David Thomas, Topher Leon
Cinematographer: M. Lamourt
Editor: Jeffrey Paschal
Our team is delighted to bring this small love story to life. We are focused on telling stories that center on queer joy.
The Remaining Sundays
Short
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.
Director: Manolo Pavón
Producer: Beatriz Bodegas - Isabel Delclaux
Writer: Manolo Pavón
Cast: Miguel Rivera, Luz Valdenebro, Jordi Planas, María Rivera
Cinematographer: Ernesto Reguera
Editor:Manolo Pavón
Awards:
- ASECAN Best Andalusian Short - FICAL
- Best Short - Toronto LGTBQ+
- Honour Mention - L.A. Queer Festival
- Best International Short - Best Script / Best Actress
- Best Short - FECISO
- Best Director / Best LGTB Short - European Short Awards
- Best Script / Best Art Direction - Int Festival Manuel Trujillo Durán
- Special Mention - CinHomo
- MMS Prize / Best Actress - Festival Daroka & Prisión
Selection
- LesGaiCineMad
- Out On Film Festival Atlanta
Instagram: @manolopavon
X: @manolopavonfoto
Two Chains
Short narrative
World Premiere
July 4th, 1976. Two Chicago cops and longtime friends confront an unresolved issue that has smoldered between them for too long after one of them was fired from the force.
Director: Bill Pruitt
Producers: Hannah Liu, Paul Hewitt
Writer: Paul Hewitt
Cast: Paul Hewitt, Chip O’Neil
Cinematographer: Per Larsson
Editor: Natalie DeDiego
Two Chain’s story origin grew out of our teenager’s coming out experience, last year. The ease with which a lot of people in their generation can now come out is incredible and to be celebrated. But I wanted to show them and their peers that not so long ago coming out was very different - often secretive, shamed, and dangerous - so that they can know, appreciate and honor those that paved the way for them.
Instagram: @twochains777
Second Thought
Short
Chris and Art lead parallel lives, starting their day with similar routines in different locations. Both make their way to Provincetown, a welcoming haven for the LGBTQ+ community, where their paths cross on a dating app. A steamy encounter follows their first meeting, but a dramatic turn occurs when one blocks the other the next day.
The film rewinds, offering a second chance at their love story. This time, they explore Ptown together, enjoying meaningful activities that strengthen their bond. The story concludes with a flash-forward to thirty years later, showing older Chris and Art reliving the same activities, highlighting the enduring nature of their love and the choices that brought them together.
Director: Chris Stanley & Jimmy Martin
Producer: Chris Stanley, Art Bezrukavenko
Writer: Chris Stanley & Art Bezrukavenko
Cast: Chris Stanley, Art Bezrukavenko, Bret Labelle, Dave Bernadini, Jim Lucie
Cinematographer: Kat Holmes
Editor: Chris Stanley
Instagram: @stanchris
Sunflowers at Night
Short
West Coast Premiere
Back in his hometown to celebrate the success of his latest book, David learns that his assistant and friend, Michael, is going to become a father. Shaken by this discovery, the young author must confront his truth and understand who he has become, especially when Sasha Cohen, a past love, suddenly reappears that same evening. Faced with these two surprises, David wonders: can he still fit into the mold he has built for himself?
Director: Quentin Delcourt
Producer: Quentin Delcourt
Writer: Quentin Delcourt
Cast: Quentin Delcourt, Christopher Leveaux, Edouard Berchiche
Cinematographer: Hugo Poisson
Editor: Aymeric Le Bouquin
Website: https://irrixfilms.com/sunflowers-at-night
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/quentindelcourt_off https://www.instagram.com/sunflowersatnight_film/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quentin.delcourt.75
The Four Daniels
Short
Processing a traumatic breakup, Sophie searches for love through sex, sock puppets, and dating multiple men with the same name.
Director: L.C. Henderson
Producers: L.C. Henderson, Chico D. Mejia, Jack McLain, Andrew Stitt King, Beatriz Carreno Coriano
Writer: L.C. Henderson
Cast: Lori Kovacevich, Andrew Stitt King, Randy McGilvary, Orlando James, Omar Lewis
Cinematographer: Chico D. Mejia
Editor: L.C. Henderson
Winner of the Narrative Short Best Comedy Award at the 2024 Longleaf Film Festival in Raleigh, NC
Winner of the Audience Choice Award at the 2024 Cinequeer Film Night in Atlanta, GA
Nominated for Best Narrative Short at the 2024 Appalachian Queer Film Festival in Shepherdstown, WV
Instagram: @thefourdaniels
The Fuscos
Short Narrative
The three estranged Fusco sisters come together on the eve of their Mob Boss father's funeral to fight for liberation amid the male-dominated landscape of 1975.
Director: Jennie Girardo
Producer: Ashley Gianni, Jennie Girardo, Danielle Beckmann, Stacie Capone, Stacy Snyder, Kristen M. Scatton, Frank Zagottis p.g.a.
Writer: Ashley Gianni & Danielle Beckmann
Cast: Ashley Gianni, Danielle Beckmann, Stacie Capone, Stacy Snyder, Frank Zagottis
Cinematographer: B.J. Iwen
Editor: Paul Kowalski and Jennie Girardo
The Fuscos team is proud to have over 50% female-identifying and LGBTQ+ cast and crew, including immigrant and BIPOC filmmakers. As a woman-led production company (10 of Cups Productions), it is part of our mission to create opportunities for underrepresented voices in front of and behind the camera.
Awards & accolades:
Winner, Best Ensemble Award - 37th Annual Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival
Winner, Female Perspective Award - Hollywood Int. Diversity Film Festival
Winner, Best Female Driven Ensemble - City of Angels Women’s Film Festival
Finalist, 2024 Blackmagic Collective Film FestivalJune Pick of the Month, Blackmagic Collective Film Festival
Official Selection 37th Annual Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival
Official Selection Fishnets & Film
Official Selection Picture's Up! Film Festival
Official Selection Hollywood Int. Diversity Film Festival
Official Selection Imagine This Women's Film Festival
Official Selection 37th aGLIFF Prism Film Festival
Official Selection Silicon Valley Queer Film Festival
Official Selection Newport Beach Film Festival
Official Selection NoHo Cinefest
Official Selection City of Angels Women’s Film Festival
Official Selection LA Queer Film Festival
Instagram: instagram.com/thefuscosfilm
The Visitor
Short
With his relationship in a rough patch and his career stalled, A man tries to find new purpose by retreating to the Pacific Northwest. While there, strange things begin to happen as he grapples with his sense of reality.
Director: Nikolaus Aldrich
Producers: Dylan Gansen, Nikolaus Aldrich
Writer: Nikolaus Aldrich
Cast: John Glowacki, Ethan Cockrill, Ronald Román-Meléndez, Andrew Scott Miller
Cinematographer: James Arterberry
Editor: Nikolaus Aldrich
Details: The Visitor was conceived as a proof of concept for a feature film. The short film covers what would be the inciting incident of said feature. Writer/Director Nikolaus Aldrich wrote the short film to be an introduction to a larger story but still work as a standalone piece. We are looking for any help in making this feature into a reality. While this film straddles many genres (like sci-fi/horror) the heart of the story is a queer relationship. Both in the short and the proposed feature our main characters are grappling with their connection to each other while being confronted with a much larger, existential threat. The question is whether that will bring them together or tear them apart.
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33305196/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevisitor_shortfilm2024/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558476021110