Reelout Queer Film Festival has returned to Kingston for its 24th iteration, bringing viewers 76 short and feature-length narratives and documentaries from 15 different countries.
The 13-day festival is well underway with a variety of must-see viewings, all playing at The Screening Room.
Jan. 31
Today’s 8 p.m. feature follows Raphi, a trans woman finding her path while undergoing a physical and geographical transition as she moves from France to Spain. My Emptiness and I (Mi Vacio Y Yo) is a coming-of-age narrative, which has received immense praise for its candid and compassionate telling of a complex journey of finding oneself in a gender binary world.
Feb. 1
A series of short films from Iranian artists is in store for this Wednesday’s schedule at The Screening Room. Beginning at 6 p.m., five titles will be showcased: The Aquarium, Adjustment, Sex of Death, Lost Swan, and Jouissance.
Each film depicts the difficult realities of living in a country seeking to silence queerness. The star of Jouissance, Kiarash Dadgar, will be in attendance.
Jeanette is the evening screening at 8 p.m. and follows a lesbian mother and bodybuilder as she navigates the trauma she endures in the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub massacre. Director Maris Curran sought to offer a glimpse into the struggles of queer Americans.
Feb. 2
Chrissy Judy will play this Thursday, offering an in-depth portrayal of queer culture and the pursuit of drag for gay men. The tale of two best friends is woven into a dark comedy that explores love, acceptance, and identity through their eyes. The showing will be followed by a live drag performance by Tyffanie Morgan.
Feb. 3
The fourth day of the festival will feature two series of shorts: one catered to women and the other to men. Each series will have six to eight short films accompanying them and will screen at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.
There’s sure to be a film that connects with you, and one that may even change your perspective of queerness under gendered identities.
Feb. 4
The final day of the festival will offer four showings. The first, Noon Saturday Morning Queer Toons, is an animation collection returning to Reelout this year. The 13 short films vary in length and subject matter—from navigating Austin in conjunction with queerness, to cowboys in a standoff—meaning the potential is endless.
Golden Delicious, a feature film directed by Jason Karman, will be ending the festival off at 7 p.m. this Saturday. The story of Jake, a basketball player lacking passion and navigating a straight relationship, is flipped when Aleks, his new openly gay neighbour, joins the school team.
When Jake throws himself into basketball, it becomes clear sportsmanship wasn’t his main incentive, and his relationship with his father is tested.
“We recognized that there weren’t enough stories that reflected us,” Karman told The Journal. “As a queer person of colour I made sure the characters were authentic and accurate to what I had experienced as a contemporary queer adult.”
The community creating through telling queer narratives and the ability to make others feel seen through his storytelling is what drives Karman as a director and producer.
Reelout Queer Film Festival offers a cinematic experience focused on learning, understanding, and accepting. Interested parties can buy tickets here.
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