Our 30th Festival celebrates our communities’ journeys over the past 30 years. For many queer people, 1985 was a significant milestone in our personal and collective political journey, marking the first time President Ronald Reagan publicly acknowledged AIDS. It is during this milestone year that director Yen Tan sets his fifth feature film, assembling an outstanding cast to bring his critically-observed period piece to life.

Adrian (Cory Michael Smith, The Riddler on Gotham) returns to his small Texan hometown to spend the Christmas holidays with his working-class Christian family. His homecoming is marked by a silent anguish with his father (Michael Chiklis), a wounded attachment to his mother (Virginia Madsen), and a broken relationship with his high school best friend (Jamie Chung). Under Tan’s poignant direction, 1985’s characters bring tension and a strained tenderness into each and every scene. Tan’s unique choice to shoot in black-and-white 16mm film further illustrates the atmosphere of uncomfortable intimacy.

Director in Attendance

Director Yen Tan joins us for our Opening Gala on Thursday, August 9 to introduce his film! Audiences will be able to enjoy a Q&A with Tan following an intimate repeat screening on Friday, August 10.

Be sure to join us in the Queen Elizabeth Plaza following the Opening Gala for our Opening Night Party! Inspired by the film, attendees are encouraged to dress in black and white finery.