Opening Presentation: Then. Now. Forever.

From 18th-century queer sanctuaries to disco-era revolutions, stolen luxury in gentrified cities to tender archives and lesbian joy—our opening shorts program Then. Now. Forever. retraces lost histories and spotlights unsung trendsetters. Through fashion, rebellion, chosen family, and ancestral memory, these films illuminate the bold, buried, and beautiful stories that have shaped queer pasts—and continue to mold queer futures.

Followed by a post-screening Q&A with the filmmakers.

With performances by:

M’Girl

M’Girl is an ensemble of Indigenous women from diverse lands and cultures of Turtle Island, residing and working on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, now known as Vancouver. M’Girl’s songs define their relationship to family, community, and Mother Earth. M’Girl is:

Kelsey Kanatan Wavey hails from Treaty Five territory in Manitoba and has been a guest on these lands for about 10 years. They are an actor, writer, and director as well as being a vocalist. You can catch them in the upcoming comedy, Women of the Fur in the fall!

Kaitlyn Yott is a mixed Coast Tsimshian and Japanese-Canadian actor and singer, born and raised as a guest on Coast Salish lands. Up next, you can see them as Amy March in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, playing at the Arts Club’s Granville Island Stage this winter.

Coming from Treaty One Territory, Renae Morriseau has dedicated much of her life to the creative arts. She is presently an instructor of Indigenous film studies at Capilano University and remains active in composing handdrum songs in Saulteaux and Cree, languages that reflect her family’s cultural roots.

Virago Nation

Embrace your EXTRA with breathtaking burlesque, drag, and live performance art brought to you by the badass babes of Virago Nation, Turtle Island’s first all-Indigenous burlesque collective. Whether you’ve seen burlesque before or have always wanted to, here’s your chance to relish in the rematriation of Indigenous sexuality.

RainbowGlitz is Turtle Island’s (North America) very own love medicine and So-called Vancouver’s resident rainbow slut. This Haida, Squamish, Musqueam (Indigenous) and Black artist began her burlesque journey in 2013. She loves to mix Culture and Pussycat Doll hip-hop with a nerdy and exotic(stripper) twist. She is a founding member of Virago Nation. The Indigi-B Barbie Rainbow Doll edition is always a Beat to the creator. From her multifaceted art to teaching you how to decolonize your sexuality & gender!! She is ready to heal you with her colourful slutty medicine.

persephone estradiol is one part of a two part mystery. her mother’s tears freeze us all and she has grown tired of the company of the living. persephone estradiol (she/they) is an Oji-Cree Saulteaux from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation. are you ready to scream?

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Join us later this weekend for the Opening Weekend Party: FUEGO/FOGO on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at The Birdhouse!

Enjoy a repeat, relaxed screening of this program on Sunday, Sept 14 at 12:15 PM.