Out Film CT Announces Complete Lineup for 37th Connecticut LGBTQ Film

Press release

Out Film CT Announces Complete Lineup of
the 37th Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival,
Running June 14-22, 2024

Hartford, CT...Out Film CT, organizer of the state's longest-running and most diverse film festival, announced today the complete schedule for the 37th Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival. For 2024, the festival returns June 14-22, 2024, with most films screened at Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford. The closing night film will be held at the Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford. In addition, there will be some virtual-only exclusives for film fans to enjoy at home.

The complete lineup for the 37th Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival is as follows:

IN-PERSON SCREENINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Films that are also available via streaming are noted.

Opening Night Film: Love & Revolution (Northeast US premiere)
Friday, June 14 at 7:30 PM at Cinestudio. Movie to be preceded by short film Great Canyon and followed by the Opening Night party.

In this smart and sassy comedy that’s perfect for the entire LGBTQ community, a young man’s coming out transforms his very traditional mother into a surprisingly active crusader for LGBTQ rights in 1977 Spain.

Feature Film: Sebastian (New England premiere)
Saturday, June 15 at 7 PM at Cinestudio

To jump start the creative process for his debut novel, a handsome 25-year-old freelance writer begins leading a double life as a London sex worker. A provocative, hot and intriguing film. Opening short: Dream Burger.


Feature Film: Don’t Know Who You Are (Northeast US premiere)
Saturday, June 15 at 9:30 PM at Cinestudio

Benjamin has been sexually assaulted and must find a way to pull together enough money to pay for post-exposure HIV prevention medicine that his health insurance won’t cover. Opening short: Realness with a Twist.

Feature: Listen Up! (Northeast U.S. premiere)
Sunday, June 16, at 4:00 PM at Cinestudio
Virtual viewing: Monday, June 17 – Sunday, June 30

A goofy, awkward, yet ultimately lovable 15-year-old Pakistani immigrant living in Norway uses his wickedly offbeat sense of humor to decode integration, gender identity, class, and family dynamics. Opening shorts: Scrapped Fabric & Red Panda Temptation.

Feature: What a Feeling (New England premiere)
Sunday, June 16 at 7:30 PM at Cinestudio

A successful and conventional doctor who suddenly faces numerous life-changing events falls for an independent, free-spirited handywoman who is unable to come out to her aging mother. Opening short: Little Mouse. Film director Lena Kaminsky, who is currently appearing in Hartford Stage's 2.5 Minute Ride, will be present.

Manpower: Gay Shorts
Monday, June 17 at 7:30 PM at Cinestudio
Virtual viewing: Tuesday, June 18 – Sunday, June 30

What’s up with the boys this year? Grindr hookups, saunas, longtime relationships, sex toys, and dinner with Mom and Dad. And a bris.

Sappho’s Choice: Lesbian Shorts
Tuesday, June 18 at 7:30 PM at Cinestudio
Virtual viewing: Wednesday, June 19 – Sunday, June 30)

What’s up with the girls this year? Complicated family relationships, jealousy, breakups, and a romantic excursion. And the funeral of a mob boss that’s very liberating. A Q&A with several short film directors following the screening.

Centerpiece Film: Chuck Chuck Baby
Wednesday, June 19 at 7:30 PM at Cinestudio. Feature film to be preceded by the Centerpiece pre-show reception at 6:30 PM and opening shorts Get Free and Once and Again.

This delightful, quirky, yet moving tale of empowerment, set in a Welsh chicken processing plant, is the lesbian musical rom-com you never knew you needed to see.

Feature Film: Close to You Thursday, June 20 at 7:30 PM at Cinestudio. Preceded by the short film (In)convenience.
Virtual viewing: Friday, June 21 – Sunday June 30

Trans actor Elliot Page (Juno, The Umbrella Academy, X-Men) stars in this powerful story about chance encounters, family drama, unresolved conflicts, and the search for a sense of belonging.

Feature Film: Split (North American premiere)
Friday, June 21 at 7 PM at Cinestudio
Virtual viewing: Saturday, June 15 – Friday June 21 (free preview of first 2 episodes only)

When stuntwoman Anna meets the magnetic and famous actor Eve, it unlocks a part of herself she’d always kept hidden. Opening short: Goodbye Tango.


Feature Film: Riley (New England premiere)
Friday, June 21 at 9:30 PM at Cinestudio

Star quarterback Dakota Riley’s life begins to unravel when his queer identity competes against the carefully crafted idea of who he is supposed to be. Opening short: (Un)Free Will.

Closing Night Film: Young Hearts
Saturday, June 22 at 7 PM at Connecticut Science Center
Film to be preceded by the short film À La Carte and followed by the Closing Night Party.

Love can be scary and confusing, especially when you’re 13 and you fall for your handsome new 14-year-old neighbor. This beautifully crafted film about the awesome power of love is sure to tug at your heart strings.

STREAMING EXCLUSIVES

Lesvia
Streaming Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 30

This intriguing documentary chronicles 40+ years of conflict between the residents of a small village on the Greek island of Lesvos and the lesbians who traveled there searching for love, freedom and community. Opening short: Old Lesbians.


Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes
Streaming Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 30

A fascinating documentary about one of the first openly gay American artists, a gifted photographer of stunning male nudes who hung out with Gertrude Stein and Alfred Kinsey. Opening short: One Story at a Time: Celeste Lecesne.


Body Electric
Streaming Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 30

This enlightening documentary traces the history of queer culture and its fixation on the body, with inspiring stories from the likes of Leslie Jordan, Judy Gold and Bruce Vilanch, among others. Opening short: The ABCs of Book Banning.


Backspot
Streaming Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 30

Riley must cope with adversity and an overwhelming drive for perfection when she and her girlfriend are selected for an all-star cheer squad. An icy Evan Rachel Wood plays the head coach. Opening short: Jackrabbit Homestead.

All the Silence (Northeast US premiere)
Streaming Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 30

Miriam has a deaf girlfriend and teaches sign language. But when she discovers that she, too, is losing her hearing, it shatters her world, and she has difficulty accepting this new reality. Opening short: 175.

Blue Lights (Northeast US premiere)
Streaming Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 30

Tensions build, truths emerge, secrets are revealed, and relationships are redefined in this insightful exploration of the evolving nature of gay and lesbian relationships. Opening short: Burrow.

Lost Boys & Fairies
Streaming Friday, June 21-Sunday, June 30

Get out your hankies. This three-episode drama about two gay men in Wales adopting a child is a real tear jerker!



VIRTUAL SHORTS PROGRAMS

Transcendent: Trans/Nonbinary Shorts
Streaming Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 30

Powerful and affirming stories about the experiences of transgender and non-binary people, told with honesty, integrity and heart.

Radiant: BIPOC Shorts
Streaming Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 30

Experience life’s joy, passion, love, struggle, loss, triumph and so much more, with this selection of stories from queer communities of color.

Going Global: International Shorts
Streaming Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 30

From Australia to Argentina, France to Iran, Morocco to the Netherlands, Canada to Spain, once again we bring the world to you.

FESTIVAL PASSES & TICKETS

FestiPasses, the best way to enjoy the wide variety of the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival offerings at a discount, are on sale now. Prices for 2024 are as follows:

• All-Access FestiPass (individual) - $125
• All-Access FestiPass (household) - $200
• 5-Show Pass (individual) - $50 (excludes opening/closing nights)
• 5-Show Pass (household) - $90 (excludes opening/closing nights)

Individual film admissions are $13 for general admission, $11 for seniors. Opening and Closing Night films including post-screening parties are $30 for general admission, $25 for seniors. Free tickets are available to full-time students to all shows with student ID. Individual in-person and virtual film tickets are on sale now.

Visit OutFilmCT.org to purchase FestiPasses, individual screening tickets, virtual screenings, and for the latest updates. Follow @outfilmct on Facebook and Instagram.

The 37th Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival is supported in part by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, an organization that is creating opportunities for artists and arts organizations, evolving the region into the premier destination for the arts, while building a sense of belonging for anyone looking to experience art.