The beloved festival takes place Sept. 11-22 and will showcase 97 projects from 27 countries, with 28 features, 5 series debuts and 64 short films, complemented by 5 spectacular parties

VANCOUVER, BC (August 12, 2024) —  The Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF) has announced the entire lineup for their 36th annual Festival, which will take place across Vancouver from September 11-22, 2024 this year. The programme includes international film and episodic content authored by 2SLGBTQIA+ creators, centred on 2SLGBTQIA+ protagonists, and celebrating queer storytelling and joy. The Festival includes parties, performances, post-screening Q&As with filmmakers, and industry events. 

VQFF’s Opening Presentation: Closer features a collection of short films that highlight the solidarity and brilliance of our diverse queer community. Familiar faces, such as beloved actor Ben Whishaw (GOOD BOY, US) and rising local talents like Oji-Cree-Saulteaux poet jaye simpson (I’LL TELL YOU WHEN I’M READY, Canada) star as queer heroes in this dynamic collection. First dates, beautiful friendships, and tender parent-child relationships round out this rousing call to action: be ready to party and love one another throughout this year’s Vancouver Queer Film Festival. 

The 2024 Centerpiece Presentation will be the BC Premiere of Canadian director Julia Jackman’s BONUS TRACK (UK), which follows 16-year-old songwriter George who longs to break free of his parents expectations and the small English town they call home. Canadian feature film premiere highlights include: Tribeca favourite RENT FREE (Fernando Andrés, US) follows ageing millennials who launch a social experiment to spend an entire year living “rent-free” by couch-surfing in a rapidly changing Austin, Texas; IF I DIE, IT’LL BE OF JOY (Alexis Taillant, France) follows three rabble-rousers who contemplate and advocate for their right to recognition, love, and sexual liberation as older adults; and the powerful documentary LIFE IS NOT A COMPETITION, BUT I’M WINNING (Julia Fuhr Mann, Germany), which debuted at Venice and explores the achievements, challenges, and legacies of a group of trans, intersex, and queer Olympic athletes who create a radical utopia to challenge the rigid gender rules of competitive sports and envision a more inclusive future. 

“I’m thrilled to follow up the success of last year’s festival with another lineup of outstanding films. It’s been a pleasure to witness the incredible calibre of work that 2SLGBTQIA+ filmmakers around the globe are creating,” says Charlie Hidalgo, Artistic Director, Out On Screen. “My respect to the programming team for all their dedication. This year’s festival is an opportunity for Vancouver audiences to discover urgent, innovative and empowering stories by us, for us and about us.”

Other VQFF 2024 feature film highlights include: winner of this year’s Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature at the Frameline: San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, FRAGMENTS OF A LIFE LOVED (Chloé Barreau, Italy) a hypnotic film that explores the complexities of sex and relationships; PARADISE IS BURNING (Mika Gustafson, Sweden) which won two awards at the Venice Film Festival, captures the turbulence of three sisters growing up without a safety net among the margins of working-class Sweden; the critically acclaimed YOUNG HEARTS (Belgium, Netherlands) from Anthony Schatteman, a giddy ode to teenagehood with its winsome and warm-hearted exploration of fierce young love;  and the hometown premiere of Harrison Xu’s EXTREMELY UNIQUE DYNAMIC (Harrison Xu, Ivan Leung and Katherine Dudas, US) in which a pair of twenty-something Asian-American creatives are determined to make a movie reflecting their experiences as best friends where one happens to be gay and the other, straight; A MOTHER APART (Canada) the award-winning NFB documentary from Laurie Townshend follows powerhouse Jamaican-American poet and LGBTQ+ activist Staceyann Chin and a deeply personal journey to uncover the mysterious past of her elusive mother. Another must-see film this year is the previously announced closing night film LAYLA (UK), which debuted at Sundance earlier this year and follows an up-and-coming British-Palestinian drag queen lighting up local clubs with impressive creativity in the London queer scene.

Episodic projects including series KIN., from directors Justin Ducharme and Theo Jean Cuthand, which will screen to BC audiences for the first time. The five-part scripted series is an honest and comedic exploration of the contemporary, urban queer and trans Indigenous experience, following a group of friends and their social media-engrossed lives starring Ta’Kaiya Blaney (Monkey Beach) alongside an all-Indigenous cast and crew. Giselle Miller’s NOVELETTE IS TRYING; Vancouver’s first Black queer web series will have its world bow and a duo of Australian series TOUCH will have its festival premiere & TRIPLE OH! its Canadian Premiere. French series SPLIT written and directed by feminist author Iris Brey, starring Alma Jodorowsky from Blue Is the Warmest Colour will have its first screening to a Canadian audience at the fest.

With 10 shorts programs this year, there are so many wonderful films to watch. The Coast is Queer program features local films made by and featuring artists in our neighbourhood, like Rose Butch, Romi Kim (SKIM), and Persephone Estradiol (jaye simpson). THE BIRDHOUSE, a film that centres the titular queer and trans-run event space and the untold labour and love poured into creating a haven beyond physical walls from director Romi Kim will screen amongst other notable films including: DRAG IS FOR EVERYONE a film that reflects on the support, pride, and joy fostered at the Carousel Theatre’s Drag Camp from filmmakers David Ng and Jen Sungshine (Love Intersections). 12 ANGRY LESBIANS from Patrice Leung, Gabriel Souza Nunes’ PASSIFLORA, Olivia Marie Golosky’s PÎĶÎWÎ, lisa g’s ARTIST / AUTIST and DIRT PRIDE from Christina Rosetti will also play. 

For the first time ever, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival’s dates will fall within the school year and will bring programming specifically to youth and school groups with The Future is Queer: Youth Programs co-presented by Out In Schools and The Cinematheque, two days of FREE youth programs that will increase young people’s access to transformative 2SLGBTQIA+ stories and support educators in building core competencies in many related subject areas. Troublemakers 8.0, the intergenerational film project returns to the big screen for the eighth year! Reel Youth and Out On Screen present four new films by youth filmmakers documenting the lives of local queer elders who inspire us through art and advocacy. This screening will be followed by a Q&A with the youth filmmakers.

The 2024 Festival programme was curated by VQFF Artistic Director Charlie Hidalgo; Senior Programmers Daniel Crooke and Kathleen Mullen; Programmers Cole Forrest, Laura Arboleda, and Syriah Bailey; Associate Programmers Alayna Y, Chelsea Birks, Gavin K Somers, Jasmine “Audder” Monton, Lu Linares, Maria Cecilia Saba, Seán Maheux Galway; and Programming Consultant Shayna Maci Warner.

VQFF would also like to thank its generous partners for their support, including lead partner RBC Royal Bank; screening partners UBCP/ACTRA and the Canadian Media Producers Association, BC Producers Branch; signature partner Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association; premiere partners Canada Media Fund, Rogers, Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada and Telefilm Canada; exclusive media partner CBC Vancouver; transportation partner Modo; exclusive technical partner 24 Frames Digital Films; festival funders Canada Council For the Arts, Government of Canada, City of Vancouver, Creative BC, and British Columbia Arts Council; and festival supporters bed, Miller Titerle + Company, Gayvan.com, IATSE Local 891, Western Media Group, James Goodman, Squirrel Friendz, and Twin Sails Brewing. 

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MORE INFORMATION:

The full programme lineup for VQFF 2024 can be found on the website now.

Tickets and passes are on sale now, with sliding scale pricing starting at just $7.

Media Kit can be downloaded here. 

More info and Festival images at the VQFF Press & Media page and on The Future is Queer.

About Out On Screen

Out On Screen is a charitable organization that illuminates, celebrates, and transforms 2SLGBTQIA+ lives through film, education, and dialogue. We pursue our mission with two core programs: The annual Vancouver Queer Festival celebrates and promotes authentic authorship and representation that uplifts, empowers, and furthers the liberty, culture, and justice of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The award-winning Out In Schools program brings age-appropriate 2SLGBTQIA+ cinema into school classrooms and communities across BC to combat homophobia, transphobia, and bullying, and to provide the language and tools for inclusion. Out On Screen is proud to be a leading organization working to create an equitable society where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are respected, valued, and protected across all our intersections of identity. 

www.outonscreen.com / Instagram /  Facebook / X / #VQFF2024

Media Requests:
Nicola Pender, Pender PR
m: 604.617.4807 / nicola@penderpr.com 
penderpr.com / @penderpr

VQFF FEATURE FILM PROGRAM:

For the lineup of all the Short Films playing at VQFF and the entire 2024 program visit www.queerfilmfestival.ca. 

The complete list of feature films and episodic debuts are included below.

BONUS TRACK, BC Premiere (Centrepiece Presentation)

Julia Jackman | United Kingdom | 2023 | 98 min English with captions

Daydreaming through class every day about crafting his big radio hit—with the failing grades to show for it, 16-year-old songwriter George longs to break free of his parent’s expectations and the small English town they call home. Inspiration arrives when Max, the son of a world-famous rockstar, enrolls in George’s school and recognizes the megawatt talent hidden behind George’s teenage awkwardness. As their friendship deepens and their creative collaboration blossoms, George and Max are thrust into the spotlight while navigating the complexities of a possible first love.

LAYLA, Canadian Premiere (Closing Night Presentation)

Amrou Al-Kadhi | United Kingdom | 2024 100 min | English and Arabic with English subtitles

Drag liberation and sparkling self-expression turn the beat up loud in this joyful, exhilarating crowd-pleaser which premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Making their feature debut with raise-your-voice realness, director Amrou Al-Kadhi channels their experiences in the east London queer scene into the unforgettable saga of Layla: an up-and- coming Palestinian drag queen lighting up local clubs with impressive creativity. Featuring a colourful community of artists and everyday queer superstars, Layla’s life off-stage takes a surprising direction when they start a love affair with a young corporate professional.

EXTREMELY UNIQUE DYNAMIC, BC Premiere                                                              Harrison Xu, Ivan Leung, Katherine Dudas | United States | 2024 | 67 min | English with captions | BC Premiere

With relentless comedic timing and a contagious sense of discovery, Xu and Leung play Ryan and Daniel, a pair of twenty-something Asian American creatives in Los Angeles determined to make a movie reflecting their experiences as best friends where one happens to be gay and the other, straight. Invigorated by their desire to bust taboos and blend genres, they battle their low-budget limitations (on and off the screen) to craft a hilarious, heartfelt expression of their titular extremely unique dynamic. 

IF I DIE, IT’LL BE OF JOY (SI JE MEURS, CE SERA DE JOIE), BC Premiere              Alexis Taillant | France | 2024 | 80 min | French with English subtitles

As GreyPride in Paris approaches, three rabble- rousers contemplate and advocate for their right as older adults to recognition, love, and sexual liberation. This beautifully filmed and inspiring documentary follows 81-year-old Micheline, brimming with sexual desire and looking for ways to express it; 70-year-old Francis, a feisty anti-ageism activist; and 68-year-old Yves, seeking love and companionship. The three set out to revolutionize senior living, challenge stereotypes, and combat discrimination through a collective effort to debunk preconceived notions of sex, love, and aging.

THE SUMMER WITH CARMEN (TO KALOKAIRI TIS KARMEN), Canadian Premiere Zacharias Mavroeidis | Greece | 2023 | 106 min Greek with English subtitles

The setting: The rocky, sun-kissed shores of a gay nude beach perched above the Mediterranean Sea in Athens, Greece. Our heroes: Best friends and former actors-turned-aspiring filmmakers Demos and Nikitas. Their objective: Finally crack their feature screenplay, a steamy autofiction about the highs and lows of their flings, family drama, and dog-sitting escapades of two summers earlier.

WHAT A FEELING, BC Premiere

Kat Rohrer | Austria | 2024 | 110 min | German with English subtitles

A chance encounter at a lesbian bar brings two women leading strikingly different lives together in this winning romantic comedy.

“You can dance right through your life” is the mantra of free-spirited, unattached Fa (Proschat Madani, Cuckoo), whose charm and popularity with women are well-established. She runs her own carpentry business and cares for her aging Iranian mother, who doesn’t know Fa is a lesbian. Marie Theres (Caroline Peters, Walk on Water) is a successful but slightly uptight doctor whose conventional life is upended when her husband of 20 years abruptly asks for a divorce. The two women could not be more different…or more attracted to each other. Each will have to break free from the confines they have built for themselves if they truly want to be happy.

DESIRE LINES, BC Premiere

Jules Rosskam | United States | 2024 | 83 min English with captions

Winner of the NEXT Special Jury Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, director Jules Rosskam cracks open a portal with his liberating exploration of transmasculine sexuality that blends narrative and documentary forms. Within the halls of a vast queer archive, trans Iranian- American scholar Ahmad mines for a historical answer to his question: Is his gender identity at odds with his sexual desire for other men? Guided by a charismatic research assistant played by Theo Germaine (The Politician), Ahmad’s journey takes a turn when the archive transforms into a time-traveling gay bathhouse of erotic discovery. From here, Rosskam weaves together illuminating archival treasures and thrillingly candid interviews featuring trans men sharing their intimate odysseys of hooking up with cis gay men. Rosskam’s dynamic approach flips the script to create a sexier, more authentic, and bountifully gay film. 

BULLETPROOF: A LESBIAN’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING THE PLOT, BC Premiere

Regan Latimer | Canada | 2024 | 105 min | English with captions

Every time a lesbian character dies on TV is a stake through the heart for director Regan Latimer. Latimer embarks on a cross-country quest to uncover why Hollywood keeps “burying their gays.” Exploring how and why there are a disproportionate number of lesbian deaths in media, Latimer interviews TV writers and executives, queer community members, and fans to unravel this troubling phenomenon. Featuring enlightening conversations with industry insiders, this insightful, funny, and personal hybrid documentary captures the crucial role of queer media representation while following Latimer’s journey of self-discovery and the powerful impact of seeing oneself on screen. Queer fandom is fighting back–join our media revolution!

RENT FREE, Canadian Premiere

Fernando Andrés | United States | 2024 | 93 min English with captions

After a misguided seduction leaves them broke and without an apartment, aging millennials Ben and Jordan (played by charismatic duo Jacob Roberts and David Treviño) launch a social experiment to spend an entire year living “rent- free” by couch-surfing with friends, family, and strangers in a rapidly changing Austin, Texas. Collaborators Fernando Andrés and Tyler Rugh follow up their winning Three Headed Beast (VQFF ’23) with this renegade character-driven comedy tackling contemporary issues of rising rent, urban instability, and the tech-sector takeover of everyday life, and the nuances of queer male friendship.

SISTERS, BC Premiere

Susie Yankou | United States, Canada | 2024 88 min | English and Farsi with English subtitles

Singer-songwriter Lou (Susie Yankou) and stand-up comedian Esther (Sarah Khasrovi) are inseparable best friends. They share everything from inside jokes to a deep curiosity about what it would be like to have a sister. Their codependent bliss is shattered when Lou’s father unexpectedly passes away, and Priya (Kausar Mohammed), a long-lost, very stylish half-sister, shows up to his funeral. As Lou explores her relationship with Priya, the newfound connection disrupts her bond with Esther and creates a growing rift. Facing the potential loss of her closest friend, Lou must navigate this complex new dynamic and redefine what family truly means.

VERA AND THE PLEASURE OF OTHERS (VERA Y EL PLACER DE LOS OTROS), Canadian Premiere

Romina Tamburello, Federico Actis | Argentina 2023 | 103 min | Spanish with English subtitles

In this erotic coming-of-age comedy 17-year-old Vera steals keys from her real estate agent mother to run a secret business renting out an apartment to her classmates who need a place to get intimate. Bored by the banal routine of high school and volleyball practice, she discovers a thrilling outlet in her side hustle as she covertly eavesdrops on her clients’ most private moments. Listening to other people’s pleasure unexpectedly allows Vera to gain an understanding of her own desires. However, just as she begins to develop a sexual appetite of her own, Vera’s pleasure gets interrupted.

THIS IS BALLROOM (SALÃO DE BAILE), Canadian Premiere

Juru, Vitã | Brazil | 2024 | 92 min | Portuguese and English with English subtitles

Ballroom filmmakers Juru and Vitã explore Rio de Janeiro’s unique Ballroom scene and House culture. For this ambitious project, the filmmakers organized a special event inviting Rio’s top Ballroom artists, representing 11 Houses from the city centre and beyond. Led by prominent 2SLGBTQIA+ Afro-Brazilian performers, the Houses serve as life-affirming chosen families for the queer, trans, and nonbinary people of this tight community. Mixing elements of local traditions, popular culture, and North American influences, Rio’s Ballroom artists cook up their unique flavours of voguing, performance, music, fashion and dance. Infused in their artistry are the lived experiences of a resilient community pushing back against a racist, patriarchal state.

PRIDE VS. PREJUDICE: THE DELWIN VRIEND STORY, BC Premiere

Darrin Hagen | Canada | 2024 | 80 min | English with captions

In 1991, Delwin Vriend was fired from his teaching position at a Christian college in Edmonton for being gay. An unlikely hero, Vriend found himself at the centre of a pivotal point in history. The case of Vriend v. Alberta, fought all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, challenged homophobic discrimination and expanded LGBTQ+ rights in Canadian workplaces.

A HOUSE IS NOT A DISCO, BC Premiere

Brian J. Smith | United States | 2024 | 90 min English with captions

Fire Island comes alive in director Brian J. Smith’s loving portrait of the legendary gay hotspot and the makeshift community that travels by ferry every summer to call it home. Filmed with a warm sense of place and an eye toward its gorgeous natural environment, this documentary thrusts the viewer into the fun, euphoria, and kinship that ripple throughout the iconic Pines. Through on-the-fly interviews with its memorable inhabitants and rich observational insights that illuminate its charm, Smith evokes the island’s half-century of history as a queer haven while also exploring the possibilities for its more inclusive future. For those whose calendars aren’t complete without an annual jaunt to this New York paradise or those who’ve always wished to visit: climb aboard and bask in Fire Island’s glow.

LESVIA, BC Premiere

Tzeli Hadjidimitriou | Greece | 2024 | 78 min | Greek, English, French, and Italian with English subtitles

The Greek island of Lesbos, the birthplace of Sappho, has long been a pilgrimage destination for lesbians worldwide. For decades, lesbian native director Tzeli Hadjidimitriou has documented the lives of locals and the annual gatherings of lesbians on Eressos’ beaches. Using archival film, photos, and personal diaries, Tzeli delves into the evolving relationships, struggles, and connections between the local Greek and these lesbian communities. Lesvia weaves Sappho’s poetry and legacy with Lesbos’ unique culture, capturing a fascinating group of people who all feel a deep connection to this island.

YOUNG HEARTS, BC Premiere

Anthony Schatteman | Belgium, Netherlands 2024 | 99 min | German, English, French, and Dutch with English subtitles

In an idyllic countryside town in Belgium, young Alex moves in next door to Elias, a popular 14-year-old with a fun-loving family. Excited about the new kid in town, Elias soon becomes fast friends with Alex, even making a trip into the city to meet some of Alex’s family who run the local drag club. When Alex reveals he has dated boys before, Elias realizes he likes Alex more than just a friend, throwing him into a crisis of identity. Elias must find out if he can be as free in his own sexuality and desires as Alex seems to be.

FRAGMENTS OF A LIFE LOVED (FRAMMENTI DI UN PERCORSO AMOROSO), BC Premiere

Chloé Barreau | Italy | 2023 | 95 min | French and Italian with English subtitles

When you look back at your relationships, do you ever wonder why you had amazing sex with some lovers and not others? Or why you ended up with some partners long-term while others flitted in and out of your life?

Since she was 16 years old living between Paris and Rome, director Chloé Barreau has been photographing, filming, and collecting mementos from every woman and man she has ever loved. This fascinating documentary unfolds through candid interviews with her exes, from fleeting one-night stands to enduring relationships.

CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS, BC Premiere

Alice Maio Mackay | Australia | 2024 | 70 min English with captions

Santa slays in Australian wunderkind Alice Maio Mackay’s latest handmade horror delight. Her fifth feature in three years, this inventive slasher flick follows true-crime podcaster Lola as she returns to her conservative hometown for the first time since transitioning—just in time for the terrifying resurrection of a red suit-wearing urban legend with an axe to grind. As the body count rises and the killer circles closer, Lola’s ragtag team of queer and trans compatriots— complete with one totally wicked drag queen— must band together to rip the mask off this psychopath and take him down once and for all. Eye-popping colour and razor-sharp editing from new collaborator Vera Drew (The People’s Joker) fuels the playful nightmare flair of this exhilarating celebration of community power. Mackay’s infectious visual imagination proves that, when it comes to battling bigotry through pure cinematic force, this 19-year-old trans filmmaker is out for blood.

A MOTHER APART, BC Premiere

Laurie Townshend | Canada | 2024 | 89 min English and German with English subtitles

Powerhouse Jamaican-American poet and LGBTQ+ activist Staceyann Chin embarks on a deeply personal journey to uncover the mysterious past of her elusive mother, Hazel—a woman whose absence has shaped Staceyann’s poetry, politics, and bond with her daughter, Zuri. Traveling from Brooklyn to Montreal, Cologne to Jamaica, Staceyann navigates a complex emotional landscape as she grapples with Hazel’s choices. She must also balance her enduring childhood pain with the profound joy of motherhood.

THE ASTRONAUT LOVERS (LOS AMANTES ASTRONAUTAS), Canadian Premiere

Marco Berger | Argentina | 2024 | 116 min Spanish with English subtitles

When Pedro returns to Argentina for an extended vacation at his family home by the sea, he’s greeted by familiar faces and the promise of a leisurely, drama-free summer with friends. One afternoon on the beach, he runs into Maxi, a flirtatious but foolhardy—and straight—friend from the past who expresses an unrelenting curiosity about the easygoing Pedro’s sexuality as a gay man. Sparks fly as they fall into a surprising rhythm of mutual interest in spite of—or perhaps because of—this line in the sand. So when Maxi asks Pedro to play-act as his new boyfriend to rile up his ex-girlfriend, Pedro goes along with it…

PARADISE IS BURNING (PARADISET BRINNER), BC Premiere

Mika Gustafson | Sweden | 2023 | 108 min Swedish with English subtitles

Thrumming with the rough-and-tumble spirit of youth in rebellion, director Mika Gustafson’s film captures the turbulence of growing up without a safety net among the margins of working- class Sweden. Scraping by with ingenuity, sisters Laura (sixteen), Mira (twelve), and Steffi (seven) look after themselves in a council house with no guardian in sight. When social services comes knocking, Laura must find an adult willing to impersonate their mother to keep her family together. Her journey ignites a spark of self- discovery as the wild rituals of adolescence give way to the rush of a first crush.

UNUSUALLY NORMAL, BC Premiere

Colette Johnson Vosberg | Canada | 2024 98 min | English with captions

Meet Canada’s gayest family! Unusually Normal follows three generations of women in the Ford family, all of whom are gay. Director Colette Johnson-Vosberg got the opportunity of a lifetime when Karen Ford reached out and opened the doors to her home and her family’s extraordinary story.

THROUPLE, Canadian Premiere

Greyson Horst | United States | 2024 | 90 min English with captions

Injecting a welcome dose of polyamorous desire to the landscape of contemporary gay romance, director Greyson Horst crafts a comedy of unexpected connection on the road to self- discovery. Aimless and stuck in an artistic rut, lonely singer-songwriter Michael (played by actor-screenwriter Michael Doshier) can’t seem to find his lane in either life or love. One fateful night while attending a friend’s show, his luck turns as he strikes up a conversation with Georgie and Connor, a friendly—and newly open—married couple. As Michael quickly falls into bed with the couple, both his creativity and the possibility of romance soar.

LIFE IS NOT A COMPETITION, BUT I’M WINNING, Canadian Premiere

Julia Fuhr Mann | Germany | 2023 | 79 min German and English with English subtitles

If history is written by the victors, where does that leave those who were never allowed to be part of the game? In this powerful documentary, a collective of queer athletes enters the Olympic Stadium in Athens to honour those who were excluded from standing on the podium. They meet Amanda Reiter, a trans marathon runner battling the prejudices of sports organizers, and Annet Negesa, an 800-metre runner pressured by international sports federations to undergo hormone-altering surgery. Together, the athletes create a radical utopia to challenge the rigid gender rules of competitive sports and envision a more inclusive future.

ROOKIE, BC Premiere

Samantha Lee | Philippines | 2023 | 95 min Tagalog and English with English subtitles

Ace’s first day at her new Manila high school is one she’ll never forget. As she awkwardly navigates the unfamiliar surroundings, she finds herself reluctantly joining the volleyball team. Jana, the team captain, perceives Ace as a threat, sparking an immediate rivalry. But, little by little, they discover that love and hate are two sides of the same coin and find themselves admitting their attraction to each other.

ALL SHALL BE WELL (從今以後), BC Premiere

Ray Yeung | Hong Kong | 2024 | 93 min | Chinese with English subtitles

Long-term couple Pat and Angie have lived happily in their beautiful Hong Kong flat for decades, surrounded by family and friends who delight in their lively dinner parties. Pat’s sudden death changes everything in a split second. As Pat hasn’t left a will, her once seemingly supportive family now wrests control from Angie, leveraging Hong Kong law against her to make all the decisions and arrangements. Angie desperately wants to fight for Pat’s wishes and turns to her community of queer friends for support as she navigates not only her grief but also the impending loss of her home.

PERFECT ENDINGS (13 SENTIMENTOS), Canadian Premiere

Daniel Ribeiro | Brazil | 2024 | 100 min Portuguese with English subtitles

Guaranteed to get your heart pumping, the latest from Teddy Award-winner Daniel Ribeiro (crowd-pleasing favourite The Way He Looks, VQFF Opening Gala ‘14) pulses to the beat of a hot and heavy summer in the city. Fresh off a breakup from a long-term relationship and ready for a rebound, aspiring Brazilian filmmaker João battles writer’s block while diving headfirst into hookup apps in search of a spark, on and off the page, for his sexy new screenplay. He discovers a surprising fusion of both passions when he begins directing amateur erotic films, uncovering how art can imitate life and vice versa. Surrounded by supportive, fun-loving friends, João endeavours to put the pen down and surrender to self-discovery.

LOVE & REVOLUTION (TE ESTOY AMANDO LOCAMENTE), Canadian Premiere

Alejandro Marín | Spain | 2023 | 106 min | Spanish with English subtitles

Nominated for five Goya awards, Spanish filmmaking’s highest honour, and winner of one, this fist-pumping period drama from director Alejandro Marín thrusts audiences into the budding gay rights movement flooding the streets of 1977 Seville. Coming of age in a time of criminalized homosexuality and stifled free speech, teenage brainiac Miguel lives in the city with his adoring single mother Reme, a hardworking widow whose fierce love for her son guides her every step. When Miguel’s increasingly visible queerness lands him in the crosshairs of the state, Reme unexpectedly finds herself linking arms with a community of queer activists to ensure his safety.

VQFF EPISODIC PROGRAM:

NOVELETTE IS TRYING, World Premiere

Giselle Miller | Canada | 2024 | 100 min | English with captions

Vancouver’s first Black queer web series introduces Novelette, a cynical, anti-social, and newly single bisexual woman who reluctantly takes on a roommate to help with the rent on her East Van apartment. At first, the extroverted, outspoken Audre seems like the wrong choice. But, although their personalities clash, Audre’s boldness soon rubs off on Novelette in the best way, encouraging her to dive back into the dating pool. The world premiere screening launches the first five episodes of this ten-part comedy series from local filmmaker Giselle Miller, who writes and directs from her own experiences of identity and belonging in Vancouver.

KIN., BC Premiere

Justin Ducharme, Theo Jean Cuthand | Canada 2023 | 34 min | English with captions

This five-part scripted series is an honest and comedic exploration of the contemporary, urban queer and trans Indigenous experience following a group of friends and their social-media- engrossed lives. Exploring romance, identity, and belonging with an all-Indigenous cast and crew, KIN. offers a realistic window into the lives of Indigenous queer and trans people and the complexities they face as they come of age. This BC Premiere is a hometown celebration and a showcase of KIN.’s powerhouse on-screen talent.

SPLIT, Canadian Premiere

Iris Brey | France | 2023 | 111 min | French with English subtitles

Written and directed by feminist author Iris Brey, this French miniseries is a refreshing narrative about unexpected connections, intimate relationships, and sexual fluidity.

Stunt double Anna (Alma Jodorowsky, Blue Is the Warmest Colour) is intrigued by her latest assignment as a stand-in for charismatic star Eve (Jehnny Beth, Anatomy of a Fall). Anna has been content in her long-term relationship with Natan, who is the cinematographer on set. As desire grows between Anna and Eve, leading to a secret rendezvous in the dressing room and visits to the countryside, their relationship becomes harder and harder to keep hidden. 

TOUCH, Festival Premiere

Monique Terry, Abby Gallaway | Australia | 2024 | 55 min | English with captions

Fiercely competitive Cameron (Diana Popovska) seeks revenge on her cheating ex-girlfriend by beating her in the local touch-football competition. But when she catches feelings for her new teammate Angie, Cameron has to keep her plan a secret in order to win the competition…and Angie’s love.

TRIPLE OH!, Canadian Premiere

Poppy Stockell | Australia | 2023 | 42 min | English with captions

Queer dramatic rom-com Triple Oh! follows the lives of two ambulance paramedics, Tayls (Brooke Satchwell) and Cate (Tahlee Fereday), as they get to grips on life, death, and each other.

The beloved festival will showcase 97 projects from 25 countries this September

VANCOUVER, BC (July 29, 2024) –  The Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF) has announced select highlights from their 36th annual festival lineup. From September 11-22, 2024, audiences can catch 97 films from 25 countries, with 28 features, 5 series debuts, 64 short films, 8 world premieres, 3 international premieres, 6 North American premieres, and 28 Canadian Premieres among the selections. The Festival will include a programme with international film and episodic content authored by 2SLGBTQIA+ creators and centred on 2SLGBTQIA+ protagonists. The Festival will also feature parties, performances from local and international artists, post-screening Q&As with filmmakers, and industry events. Some films will be available to stream online within BC and there will be encore screenings of festival favourites. 

Kicking off the festival, VQFF’s Opening Presentation: Closer will feature a collection of short films that highlight the solidarity and brilliance of our diverse queer community. The lineup includes the Canadian premiere of Tom Stuart’s GOOD BOY (UK) starring Ben Whishaw (Skyfall) as a desperate man preparing to rob a bank, when his overly supportive mother and an unexpected encounter with his family doctor derail his plans. Also featured is Ella May Sahlman’s romantic comedy GREAT CANYON (US) starring Johnny Sibilly (Hacks) as a gay man who navigates a whirlwind of anxieties and insecurities on a first date. The screenings will be followed by a Q&A with special guests and the Opening Night Party all taking place at the Vancouver Playhouse and FREE to attend with tickets to the Opening Presentation screening. VQFF is proud to have many visiting artists this year including Johnny Sibilly, best known for roles in Hacks, Pose and Queer as Folk. 

“Cultural change always precedes political change. Culture is power, it shapes who we are and sets the terms of the world we live in,” says Charlie Hidalgo, Artistic Director, Out On Screen. “This year VQFF features a remarkable lineup of queer and trans stories centering our joy and collective power. Our goal with this programme is to evoke laughter, emotion, and a call to action. We hope the festival will bring us together and inspire us to come closer to our authentic selves, closer to one another, and closer to our collective liberation.” 

VQFF is thrilled to announce that this year’s Closing Presentation will be the Canadian Premiere of LAYLA, a narrative feature film which premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Making their feature debut with raise-your-voice realness, director Amrou Al-Kadhi channels their experiences in the east London queer scene into the unforgettable saga of LAYLA: an up-and-coming Palestinian drag queen (played by newcomer Bilal Hasna) lighting up local clubs with impressive creativity. The Closing Night Party will be hosted at The Birdhouse post-screening, FREE to those with tickets to the Closing Presentation. 

One of this year’s Special Presentations in the Episodic Program is the world premiere of the first Vancouver Black queer web series NOVELETTE IS TRYING (Canada) from writer/director Giselle Miller who was inspired by her own experiences of identity and belonging in the city of Vancouver. The festival will screen the first five episodes of the never-before-seen series following Novelette, a cynical, anti-social, bisexual woman who finds herself newly single at age 30, and reluctantly decides to take on a roommate to help with the rent on her East Van apartment. At first, inviting the extroverted, outspoken Audre seems like the wrong choice; it may have been a mistake. But, although their personalities clash, Audre’s boldness and lack of boundaries soon rub off on Novelette in the best way, encouraging her to put herself back into the dating pool. 

Notable titles in the features lineup include the British Columbia Premiere of documentary BULLETPROOF: A LESBIAN’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING THE PLOT (Canada), from director Regan Latimer who embarks on a cross-country quest to uncover why Hollywood keeps “burying their gays.” Exploring how and why there are a disproportionate number of lesbian deaths in media. Another highlight is the Vancouver premiere of Anthony Schatteman’s YOUNG HEARTS (Belgium, Netherlands), which has received much praise from around the globe since its debut in Berlin and Cannes this year. The narrative debut is a giddy ode to teenagehood with its winsome and warm-hearted exploration of fierce young love.

Other festival highlights include the Curated Shorts Program: T4T. This impressive collection of shorts by trans and non-binary storytellers centers the trans experience with captivating characters, inspiring perspectives, and an uplifting tone. T4T features five films that offer a glimpse into the magical world of trans identity, love, and power. THE ROBBERS (Austria), directed by Isa Schieche, is just one of the amazing films featured in this shorts program. The film follows three trans women who meet in a country house to plan a robbery. In order to create a false trail, they must disguise themselves as men, pushing their emotional and physical limits. The film is an insightful social commentary about gender performance. The Curated Shorts Programs will also include the return of the homegrown talent showcase The Coast is Queer which will be announced in full with the entire VQFF lineup. 

VQFF is also pleased to announce its continued partnership with Lead Partner RBC Royal Bank. “As proud supporters of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, we are thrilled to continue our commitment as the lead partner of the Vancouver Queer Film Festival this year,” says Martin Thibodeau, Regional President, British Columbia, RBC Royal Bank. “We know that showcasing and celebrating the work and stories from diverse voices, has an impact within our local communities.” The Narrative Change Award, which launched at VQFF in 2023, made possible with RBC’s support, returns this year with a $5,000 CAD cash prize that will honour a storyteller whose work overturns outdated narratives, inspires change and expands the perception of 2SLGBTQIA+ identities.

New this year is VQFF’s partnership with the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival (VLAFF), which includes co-presented programs on VQFF’s opening weekend which is VLAFF’s closing weekend. As a part of this crossover there will be 1 shorts program, 2 features, and a party. Highlights from this new partnership include the Canadian premiere of feature film VERA AND THE PLEASURE OF OTHERS (Argentina) and EL PAISA (US), an award-winning short film that played at Cannes.

For the first time ever, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival’s dates will fall within the school year. We are thrilled to introduce The Future is Queer: Youth Programs at VQFF co-presented by Out In Schools and The Cinematheque, two days of FREE youth programs that will increase young people’s access to transformative 2SLGBTQIA+ stories and support educators in building core competencies in many related subject areas. 

The 2024 Festival programme was curated by VQFF Artistic Director Charlie Hidalgo; Senior Programmers Daniel Crooke and Kathleen Mullen; Programmers Cole Forrest, Laura Arboleda, and Syriah Bailey; Associate Programmers Alayna Y, Chelsea Birks, Gavin K Somers, Jasmine “Audder” Monton, Lu Linares, Maria Cecilia Saba, Seán Maheux Galway; and Programming Consultant Shayna Maci Warner.

VQFF would also like to thank its generous partners for their support, including lead partner RBC Royal Bank; screening partners UBCP/ACTRA and the Canadian Media Producers Association, BC Producers Branch; signature partner Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association; premiere partners Canada Media Fund, Rogers, Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada and Telefilm Canada; exclusive media partner CBC Vancouver; transportation partner Modo; exclusive technical partner 24 Frames Digital Films; festival funders Canada Council For the Arts, Government of Canada, City of Vancouver, Creative BC, and British Columbia Arts Council; and festival supporters bed, Miller Titerle + Company, Gayvan.com, IATSE Local 891, Western Media Group, James Goodman, Squirrel Friendz, and Twin Sails Brewing. 

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MORE INFORMATION:
Media Kit can be downloaded here. 
Passes to VQFF are on sale now
More info and Festival images at the VQFF Press & Media page and on The Future is Queer.

For ticketing details, including sliding scale pricing beginning at just $7, The complete festival lineup will be announced August 12, 2024. www.queerfilmfestival.ca

About Out On Screen
Out On Screen is a charitable organization that illuminates, celebrates, and transforms 2SLGBTQIA+ lives through film, education, and dialogue. We pursue our mission with two core programs: The annual Vancouver Queer Festival celebrates and promotes authentic authorship and representation that uplifts, empowers, and furthers the liberty, culture, and justice of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The award-winning Out In Schools program brings age-appropriate 2SLGBTQIA+ cinema into school classrooms and communities across BC to combat homophobia, transphobia, and bullying, and to provide the language and tools for inclusion. Out On Screen is proud to be a leading organization working to create an equitable society where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are respected, valued, and protected across all our intersections of identity. 

www.outonscreen.com / Instagram /  Facebook / X / #VQFF2024

Media Requests:
Nicola Pender, Pender PR
m: 604.617.4807 / nicola@penderpr.com 
penderpr.com / @penderpr

The 2023 Annual Report for the Vancouver Out On Screen Film & Video Society.

Vancouver, June 3, 2024 – Out On Screen, a leading organization dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ media arts and education, is pleased to announce Eli Morris is the new Executive Director, effective June 3, 2024.

Morris joined Out On Screen in May 2023 as the Deputy Executive Director and has stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director in the last two months since the departure of former Executive Director Brandon Yan.

They previously served as the Executive Director of GEMS Vancouver, where they spearheaded the organization’s name change from Women in Film and Television Vancouver to be more inclusive of trans and nonbinary people and reflect the organization’s mission to foster gender equity in the screen-based media industry.

Morris’s experience spans film production, marketing, education, and arts administration. They served as production manager of the award-winning queer coming-of-age film Golden Delicious (2022) directed by Jason Karman. They hold a Master of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising from the University of New South Wales (Australia).

For the last year, I’ve had the privilege of working with an all-queer and trans team at Out On Screen. As a trans and nonbinary person, I have never felt so safe in a workplace. I am humbled to have this opportunity to create more spaces like this for other people in our community,” said Morris.

“To be honest, it is not an easy time to be doing this work. The political and economic forecast is bleak. The Out In Schools team, in particular, is facing increasing hostility and reduced funding opportunities. It is even more important that we remain unwavering in our commitment to provide 2SLGBTQIA+ people—especially kids and teens in schools—with the positive representations and affirming messages we all need and deserve.”

The Board of Directors selected Morris after a nationwide search supported by recruitment firm GerardSearch. Board Chair Christopher Hallamore said:

“The hiring committee, which consisted of board members and staff, sought a candidate to lead us through our next chapter as we live into our new 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. We are so fortunate not only to have someone with deep connections to the local filmmaking community and experience in arts and education non-profits, but also to have witnessed firsthand Eli’s collaborative, transparent, and courageous leadership style over the past year. Out On Screen believes in developing and nurturing our people, and it’s a point of pride to be able to promote a member of our team. I am immensely optimistic for Out On Screen’s future with Eli at the helm.”

The upcoming 36th annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival will take place September 11-22, 2024. Out On Screen is now accepting bookings for school groups in a new youth film screening program at VQFF titled The Future is Queer, in collaboration with The Cinematheque.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
media@outonscreen.com

About Out On Screen

Out On Screen is a charitable organization that illuminates, celebrates, and transforms 2SLGBTQIA+ lives through film, education, and dialogue. We pursue our mission with two core programs: The annual Vancouver Queer Festival celebrates and promotes authentic authorship and representation that uplifts, empowers, and furthers the liberty, culture, and justice of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The award-winning Out In Schools program brings age-appropriate 2SLGBTQIA+ cinema into school classrooms and communities across BC to combat homophobia, transphobia, and bullying, and to provide the language and tools for inclusion. Out On Screen is proud to be a leading organization working to create an equitable society where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are respected, valued, and protected across all our intersections of identity. www.outonscreen.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/queerfilmfest
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VancouverQFF
X: https://x.com/queerfilmfest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outinschools
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outinschools 
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Out On Screen commits to the international call by Palestinians for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) and specifically to adhere to the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) guidelines.

The BDS movement works to end international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law.

In keeping with PACBI guidelines, Out On Screen will not collaborate with Israeli cultural or academic institutions and will not present or support cultural products commissioned by an official Israeli body or that serve to promote or normalize Israel’s occupation of Palestine. This is also in line with the Liberatory Demand from Queers in Palestine of November 2023.

Learn more about PACBI guidelines at bdsmovement.net/pacbi

Out On Screen’s support for Palestine and rejection of Israeli occupation, settler-colonialism, and apartheid is a direct extension of our vision for an equitable society where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are respected, valued, and protected across all our intersections of identity.

We reject all forms of racism, including anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism, anti-semitism, Islamophobia, and any form of discrimination against individuals on the basis of their identity, including ability, citizenship, race, religion, gender, and sexuality.

We encourage you to learn more about PACBI guidelines, which focus on boycotting institutions and organizations–rather than targeting individuals–that are complicit in Israel’s systemic oppression of Palestinians.

Out On Screen rejects pinkwashing and homonationalism in any context. We fundamentally oppose the practice of using cultural products like film to promote and normalize occupation, settler-colonialism, and apartheid.

This commitment will create more rigour in our processes and practices, and ensure this work continues in future.

The Out On Screen team will receive training to evaluate film entries in a nuanced and critical manner that complies with PACBI guidelines and aligns with the Vancouver Queer Film Festival’s curatorial focus on authentic stories centering 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences.

February 26, 2024 (Vancouver, BC) – The Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF) is changing its annual Festival dates from August to September. The upcoming 36th edition will take place September 11-22, 2024. The Festival will include a programme with approximately 100 films and episodic content authored by 2SLGBTQIA+ creators and centred on 2SLGBTQIA+ protagonists. The Festival will also feature parties, performances from local and international artists, post-screening Q&As with filmmakers, and industry events. Some films will be available to stream online within BC.

“Our team began 2024 eager to build on the success of last year’s Festival, which was the most well-attended edition of VQFF in a decade,” said Out On Screen’s Artistic Director, Charlie Hidalgo. “We are strategically shifting our dates to access more of the best and latest 2SLGBTQIA+ cinema from across Canada and the international festival circuit, and bring them to Vancouver and BC. Creating space between VQFF and Vancouver Pride will also allow our audiences and local partners to give our films and presenting artists the fanfare, attention, and love they deserve.”

The Festival will expand its youth programming this year, with select matinee screenings for local school groups. 

“For the first time, VQFF’s dates will fall within the school year, which creates exciting opportunities for us to connect educators and young people with diverse, affirming, and authentic stories by 2SLGBTQIA+ artists that they may not otherwise have access to,” said Gavin Somers, Education Director, Out On Screen. “In the current political and social climate, it is more important than ever for youth and queer people to see affirming representation and possibilities for themselves.”

VQFF’s sibling program Out In Schools was founded in 2004 to bring positive, age-appropriate film, education, and dialogue about 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences into schools across BC. Freely available for educators online, films in the Out In Schools catalogue are often acquired through VQFF. New films are added every year.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
media@outonscreen.com

About Out On Screen

Out On Screen is a charitable organization that illuminates, celebrates, and transforms 2SLGBTQIA+ lives through film, education, and dialogue. We pursue our mission with two core programs: The annual Vancouver Queer Festival celebrates and promotes authentic authorship and representation that uplifts, empowers, and furthers the liberty, culture, and justice of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The award-winning Out In Schools program brings age-appropriate 2SLGBTQIA+ cinema into school classrooms and communities across BC to combat homophobia, transphobia, and bullying, and to provide the language and tools for inclusion. Out On Screen is proud to be a leading organization working to create an equitable society where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are respected, valued, and protected across all our intersections of identity.

www.outonscreen.com 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/queerfilmfest
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VancouverQFF
Twitter: www.twitter.com/queerfilmfest

For Black History Month, Out In Schools has curated a playlist of films that showcase stories at the intersection of Black and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity. They include a short documentary EQ about local DJ Orene Askew (aka DJ O Show) of the Squamish Nation, a narrative short Anemone about a non-binary teen Anemio exploring gender amidst their Christian immigrant family, and a new short documentary MnM about chosen siblings and performers Mermaid and Milan Garçon (MnM) in the New York ballroom scene.

To access these films and others, educators can register to join our free Film Catalogue.

If you made use of these resources, we would love to hear how your lessons went and any other feedback! Get in touch with us at info@outinschools.com.

All youth deserve to grow up and learn in a safe, supportive environment where they are free to be their true and authentic selves.

On January 31, 2024, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith proposed policies that severely reduce protections and restrict healthcare access for trans and gender-diverse youth. These proposed policies target and endanger some of the most vulnerable youth in our community.

Young people deserve to be affirmed in their identities, especially if they face challenges of feeling different from their peers. For queer and trans youth, an affirming and supportive environment looks like: 

• exploring different parts of their identities without fear or judgment.
• being addressed by their correct name and pronouns.
• being included in regular school activities and spaces.
• having safe adults to go to for support and guidance.
• opportunities to learn about different sexual orientations and gender identities.
• access to gender-affirming health care from medical professionals.

The proposed policies in Alberta roll back essential protections and freedoms for queer and trans youth, making schools less safe and inclusive.

All youth deserve the basic respect and dignity of being called their correct name and pronouns.

Many youth, regardless of gender identity, prefer to be called a name different from the one on their birth certificate. It is both common and normal for trans and queer people to change their pronouns to accurately reflect their identity. Using the correct name and pronouns for somebody is a basic way to show respect. For transgender youth, it is a proven way to improve their mental wellbeing.

The Albertan government plans to make it harder for trans and gender-diverse youth to gain this basic level of respect and more difficult for teachers and administrators to support some of their most at-risk students. Everyone deserves the basic respect and dignity of being referred to by their correct name and pronouns.

All youth deserve to receive inclusive education and see positive representation.

Schools prepare students for “the real world”, including how to interact with people who are different from us. For some 2SLGTBQIA+ youth, schools are the only place they are safe to explore who they are and see positive representation of who they could become.

The proposed policies will significantly restrict inclusive education about the diversity of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). This will make schools less safe for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

As a community, we support opportunities for young people to learn about diverse identities and experiences and gain understanding and empathy for their peers.

All youth deserve to participate in sports, regardless of their gender identity. 

Sports are an important part of physical and mental health, social connection, and learning skills like teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Research consistently shows that gender assigned at birth does not equate to a competitive advantage in sports. Denying trans youth the basic freedom to participate in sports is unfair and discriminatory.

Premier Smith is perpetuating harmful myths and proposing policies that discriminate against, segregate, and exclude trans people. Our government and school systems should support fair policies that include everybody in sports and recreation.

All youth deserve access to life-affirming healthcare.

Access to healthcare is a basic human right. Gender-affirming healthcare is safe, well-researched and widely supported by major healthcare bodies, including Canadian Psychological Association and the Canadian Pediatric Society.

Premier Smith’s new policies go directly against the advice of healthcare professionals. Denying trans people access to healthcare on the basis of gender is medical discrimination. Trans youth deserve access to the gender-affirming healthcare they need to support their development and overall happiness.

Transgender and gender-diverse youth deserve to be supported, protected, and cared for by their families, communities, schools, healthcare providers, and governments. 

To trans and queer youth: We love you. We see you. We support you. We will fight for you.

To parents, educators, policy-makers, and community members: We urge you to educate yourself on what genuine care and support looks like for transgender and gender-diverse youth. These youth are the future of our communities, it is imperative for us to advocate for policies that protect and care for them.

About Out In Schools

Out In Schools has been on the forefront of SOGI education and bringing positive, age-appropriate film, education, and dialogue about 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences into schools across BC since 2004.

Programs like Out In Schools are now banned or severely limited in provinces across Canada.

Support our work and keep SOGI education in BC by donating now. We also urge you to contact your elected officials to voice your support for SOGI education and gender-affirming healthcare for youth in your province.

Other organizations supporting trans youth

• Qmunity (BC) – youth services
• ARC Foundation (BC & AB)- SOGI education
• PFLAG Vancouver (BC) & PFLAG Calgary (AB) – support group for parents and family of 2SLGBTQIA+ people
• Skipping Stone (AB) – youth services
• Egale Canada (Canada) – advocacy

Additional Resources:

Helplines in Canada for gender & sexual identity

Transgender, Non-Binary and Two-Spirit Youth & Physical and Health Education

Canadian Paediatric Society – Affirming approach to caring for transgender and gender-diverse youth

Vancouver, January 15, 2024 – Out On Screen, a leading organization dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ media arts and education, regretfully announces the departure of Brandon Yan from his role as Executive Director, effective March 27, 2024.

Yan has been an instrumental part of the Out On Screen team since 2015, contributing his leadership and passion for 2SLGBTQIA+ representation and education. As the sole Program Coordinator and later Education Director, Yan grew the Out In Schools program into a powerhouse, reaching over 20,000 youth annually at its peak. Under his leadership, Out In Schools also collaborated with the BC Ministry of Education to implement new policies and procedures supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in every BC school district.

As Executive Director since mid-2020, Yan led the organization through unprecedented challenges with a focus on building staff capacity, financial sustainability, and continued program delivery in hybrid online and in-person formats. He leaves the organization having successfully re-launched in-person programs in 2023 with the best-attended Vancouver Queer Film Festival in the last decade and led the update to Out On Screen’s next strategic plan. Yan’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment is reflected in the transformative growth of Out On Screen’s programs and internal operations. Yan said,

While I am sad to bid farewell to this incredible community, I am also filled with hope and excitement for the future of Out On Screen. The organization is in excellent hands, and I have full confidence that it will continue to grow and make a positive difference in the lives of queer, trans, and Two Spirit peoples.

The Board of Directors expresses its gratitude for Brandon’s dedication and contributions to Out On Screen. Board Chair Chris Hallamore said,

Brandon’s leadership of Out On Screen through the COVID-19 pandemic, shifts in political discourse on 2SLGBTQIA+ expression and education, and our ever-changing community’s needs has been defined by his care for people, his warm leadership style, and his strategic focus. We are grateful for his service to this organization and are excited to see where his career takes him next.

The Board will commence a search for a new Executive Director to build on Out On Screen’s successes and lead the organization into its next chapter. Information will be made available on our careers page.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
media@outonscreen.com

About Out On Screen

Out On Screen is a charitable organization that illuminates, celebrates, and transforms 2SLGBTQIA+ lives through film, education, and dialogue. The Vancouver Queer Film Festival celebrates and promotes authentic authorship and representation that uplifts, empowers, and furthers the liberty, culture, and justice of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The award-winning Out In Schools program brings age-appropriate queer cinema into school classrooms and communities across BC to combat homophobia, transphobia, and bullying, and to provide the language and tools for inclusion. Out On Screen is proud to be among the leaders in Canada working to create an equitable society where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are respected, valued, and protected across all our intersections of identity. www.outonscreen.com 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/queerfilmfest
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VancouverQFF
Twitter: www.twitter.com/queerfilmfest

In recent weeks, Out On Screen has borne witness to horrific levels of violence and destruction and the killing of thousands of innocent people. We grieve for the lives of Palestinian and Israeli civilians, children, and families and for the loss of their homes and communities.

Out On Screen joins other individuals and organizations in standing in solidarity with Palestine and condemning the state of Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories and genocide of the Palestinian people. 

As a primarily settler-run and founded organization on unceded territories, we have a responsibility to respect and support Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in the face of settler colonialism locally and around the world, in the many forms it may take. As we have said before, queer liberation is inextricably connected to liberation from other forms of oppression.

The state of Israel uses pinkwashing (also known as rainbow-washing) in which 2SLGBTQIA+ rights are promoted in order to distract from and legitimize violent and oppressive settler-colonial occupation and genocide.

Out On Screen has been complicit in pinkwashing, including through the inclusion of Israeli content in our Festival as recently as the early 2010s. We recognize that our past actions in this and other matters have not consistently aligned with our stated commitment to anti-oppression. This statement does not serve to repair that harm, and we commit to continuing to align our work, internally and externally, with our values and intersectional queer liberation. 

We urge you to support the calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories, and the liberation of the Palestinian people. 

Go to for up-to-date resources on direct actions in Canada, including:

• Upcoming protests
• Contact information for elected officials
• Petitions and campaigns
• Queer Palestine Solidarity Resource
• A master list of resources and toolkits