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Opening Presentation: Closer

Sept 11, 2024
7 PM

Location
Vancouver Playhouse

Partially Available Online
Sept 12, 7 PM - Sept 15, 7 PM

GET TICKETS
Event Runtime
167 min

6:00 PM – Lobby opens
6:30 PM – Theatre opens
7:00 PM – Show starts
9:30 PM – Opening night party

Tags
Animation, Arts & Performance, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Family, Romance, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Nonbinary & Genderqueer, Pansexual, Polyamory/Non-monogamy, Queer, Trans, Two Spirit & Indigiqueer
Community Partners
Transforming Embers

Kicking off the Festival with a dazzling celebration of our gorgeous queer community, this showcase of superb short films reminds us why we shimmy through the world with pride. Harnessing heart, humour, and style into a display of the supercharged strength we build by having each other’s backs—no matter where we come from or how we identify—these stories link arm-in-arm to announce their authentic truths. Familiar faces, such as beloved actor Ben Whishaw, and rising talents like Oji-Cree-Saulteaux poet jaye simpson star as queer heroes in this dynamic collection.

Stick around after the in-person screening and Q&A for our Opening Night Party featuring performances by Continental Breakfast and Persephone Estradiol (jaye simpson)!

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Please note: We have sold out of advance tickets for the in-person program! A limited number of door tickets will be available, and online tickets remain available (just click “Get Tickets” and select “Online”). We encourage all pass-holders and ticket-holders to arrive early or on time, as we will release additional seats to folks purchasing tickets at the door once the program begins. Learn more about our Hope Line process.

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We are also screening this program again at a relaxed screening on Sunday, Sept 15 at 12:15 PM.

Only some films in this program will be available to watch online. Online availability is indicated below by film. Learn more.

SHORT

Good Boy

Canadian premiere
Director
Tom Stuart
Country
United Kingdom
Year
2024
Runtime
16 min
Language
English

A desperate man (Ben Whishaw, Skyfall) prepares to rob a bank, but his overly supportive mother (Marion Bailey) derails his plans.

In-person only.

SHORT

F**KED

British Columbia Premiere
Director
Sara Harrak
Country
United Kingdom
Year
2023
Runtime
6 min
Language
English

One half of a lesbian couple wonders whether she’s fully explored her sexuality or if there’s more to discover.

Available online.

SHORT

Bloomed in the Water

Canadian premiere
Director
Joanne Mony Park
Country
United States
Year
2024
Runtime
14 min
Language
Korean, English
WATCH THE TRAILER

When school picture day gets lost in translation, a Korean American mom tries to course-correct, striving to love better.

Available online.

SHORT

I'll Tell You When I'm Ready

British Columbia premiere
Director
Hayley Morin
Country
Canada
Year
2024
Runtime
14 min
Language
English

“If they’re gonna eat me alive, I want them to have to chew.” Poet, activist, and drag performer jaye simpson revisits her childhood.

In-person only.

SHORT

Great Canyon

British Columbia premiere
Director
Ella May Sahlman
Country
United States
Year
2023
Runtime
7 min
Language
English

In this short rom-com, a gay man (Johnny Sibilly, Hacks) navigates a swirl of anxieties and insecurities on a first date.

Available online.

SHORT

Really Good Driver

British Columbia premiere
Director
Alex Song-Xia
Country
United States
Year
2024
Runtime
8 min
Language
English
WATCH THE TRAILER

An Asian American mom teaches her teen to drive, forcing both to confront parts of themselves–and the car–for the first time.

Available online.

SHORT

Is Gay Marriage Next?

British Columbia premiere
Director
Emily Clark
Country
United States
Year
2024
Runtime
16 min
Language
English
WATCH THE TRAILER

A woman looks for the lesbian couple on the historic cover of a 2003 Newsweek magazine to thank them for inspiring her.

Available online.

POST-SCREENING Q/A
Tom Stuart

Director, 'Good Boy'

Tom’s first feature film as a writer, MAINSTREAM, premiered at the Venice Film Festival 2020. Directed and co-written by Gia Coppola, it stars Andrew Garfield, Maya Hawke, and Jason Schwartzman. Tom is developing several original TV and feature film projects. His plays include I AM NOT MYSELF THESE DAYS and AFTER EDWARD. Tom has worked extensively as an actor for the past 20 years. GOOD BOY is his directorial debut.

Joanne Mony Park

Director, 'Bloomed in the Water'

Joanne Mony Park is a Korean- American writer/ director from Los Angeles. Her films have screened at Tribeca, Slamdance, Edinburgh, Frameline, Inside Out, and the LAAPFF where she won best director for her first feature film, Fish Bones. Mony is currently developing her upcoming feature film with the support of the CJ + TIFF K-Story Mentorship Program.

Hayley Morin

Director, 'I'll Tell You When I'm Ready'

Hayley Morin is an emerging filmmaker from the Enoch Cree Nation, a small community on the city limits of Edmonton, Alberta. Hayley has combined her passion of filmmaking and the love of her culture to share stories from underrepresented communities.

jaye simpson

Cast, 'I'll Tell You When I'm Ready'

jaye simpson (she/they) is an Oji-Cree Saulteaux Indigiqueer from the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation. simpson is a writer, advocate and activist sharing their knowledge and lived experiences in hope of creating utopia. they have been writing, publishing and residing on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-waututh), and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nations territories, colonially known as Vancouver.

Alex Song-Xia

Director, 'Really Good Driver'

Alex Song-Xia is a writer, actor, and comedian originally from Toronto. They have written for TV shows including Rick and Morty (Adult Swim), Praise Petey (Freeform), and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC). On screen, Alex can be seen in The Week Of (Netflix), High Maintenance (HBO), and Dimension 20 (Dropout). Really Good Driver is their first short film.

Related Events

Relaxed Screening: Closer

12:15 pm, Sun, Sept 15
International Village

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