By Autumn Rendall
The 24th annual QFest, Houston’s international LGBTQ film festival, returns to screens this September 24–28—virtual screens, that is. This year’s fest will be held completely online, hosted by Cinenso, and feature nine feature films and 19 shorts from over 15 countries that highlight a variety of new filmmakers and stories. “I feel that people who engage with us this year will probably get the clearest understanding of what QFest has always meant to us,” says Kristian Salinas, executive and artistic director of QFest.
Though the festival’s delivery is different this year, viewers can still engage with one another to discuss their thoughts about each film through the platform’s comments section. All of the filmmakers have also been encouraged to virtually attend the screenings so they too can interact with viewers. “We live in a time where we really need to be more thoughtful about our reactions to things and really understand ourselves, and art is the best way to do that,” Salinas says.
Attendees can purchase a full pass for $20 to access the festival’s entire array of films and shorts to watch at any time from September 24–28.
Below is QFest’s complete feature-film lineup—not counting the festival’s numerous short films—available in North America, the European Union, and Australia:
Santos (Saints) (Argentina) | Directed by Alejo Fraile
Catholic school students and siblings Santiago and María’s existences change when a mysterious, seductive stranger enters their lives.
Gracefully (Iran) | Directed by Arash Eshaghi
An 80-year-old dairy farmer in rural Iran reflects on his time as a traveler who dressed as a woman and sang and danced in a touring troupe before the 1979 Iranian Revolution made it illegal to dance in public.
5 Minutes Too Late (Romania) | Directed by Dan Chișu
A bold journalist and a compromised police captain attempt to control the public narrative about a gruesome attack on a young man attending an LGBTQ film screening overrun by violent, far-right, anti-gay protestors.
Before the Night is Over (United States) | Directed by Richard Griffin
A campy, horror, sex thriller that takes place inside a mysterious, all-male bordello that hides a terrifying secret about the death of a young woman’s parents.
Khartoum Offside (Sudan) | Directed by Marwa Zein
A group of exceptional women determined to play professional football try to establish themselves as Sudan’s National Women’s Team amid restrictions and obstacles from their government.
Ask Any Buddy (United States) | Directed by Evan Purchell
From a Texas-based filmmaker, this film is a tribute to what gay culture looked like in the all-male adult cinema from the ‘60s to ‘80s. The film complies segments from over 125 movies to create a cinematic picture of the era. The footage even shows dozens of legendary LGBTQ+ social and cruising spots that no longer exist.
Chasing Paper Birds (Germany) | Directed by Mariana Jukica
Three lost, artistic Berliners find themselves connected to one another over the course of an endless summer night. These individuals in their 20s and 30s are at a crossroads. They’re searching for happiness while confused about what that really means and what they’ll even do if they find it.
Queer Genius (United States) | Directed by Chet Pancake
A documentary that explores the remarkable lives of five queer female artists: Barbara Hammer, Eileen Myles, Black Quantum Futurism, Moor Mother, and Dynasty Handbag/Jibz Cameron.
Women Without Men (Italy) | Directed by Lorenzo Giacinti
After his daughter’s funeral, Armando announces his return in a short phone call. A group of different mourners await his return, but he never comes. The individuals, all who secretly fear Armando, become mentally trapped awaiting him.
Attendees can purchase full passes here, and visit QFest on their website or Facebook for updates.
