Light Up is an intimate documentary that focuses on the lives of five people in Atlanta—four Black gay men and one Black transgender woman. It’s a really personal look at their backstories and how they’ve dealt with prejudice and mental health struggles because they felt they had to hide who they truly were. The big thing they all share is that every person interviewed has found a way to push through those hard times. Now, they're all at a place where they feel totally comfortable being themselves and speaking their truth. The five people sharing their journeys are Simone Tisci, Derek Jae, Octavius Terry, Obio Jones, and Benjamin Carlton. Derek Jae is already pretty well-known from reality TV, while Simone Tisci is a successful makeup artist who is now working on breaking into acting. Then there’s Octavius Terry, who used to be a record-breaking track and field star. He actually cut his athletic career short because he was so scared his coaches and teammates would find out he was ...
Chromophobia (Tunisia)
A beautiful animation charting the life of a gay man in Tunisia; his childhood, his self-discovery, his first love and the consequences when this is uncovered within his conservative community.
Sleepover (Sweden)
When Emil stays over in his friend Adam’s bed after a night at the cinema, there’s a tension in the air, and unspoken feelings are on the tip of his tongue. A film about friendship and the longing for something more. Cute but unsatisfying.
Just Me (UK)
Scott is preparing for his future with his wife-to-be, but when policeman Connor arrives on his doorstep this reignites feelings Scott had tried to bury. Consumed by the idea of what could have been, Scott finds himself sneaking off from his stag do to pursue this ghost from his past.
Mine (UK)
Liam and Ben are fathers to baby Lottie. Biologically Ben is the father, and as his bond with their baby flourishes, Liam feels left behind and refuses to be the third wheel anymore.
Don't Blame Jack (UK)
As Jack comes to terms with his new medication, he longs for the adrenaline-fueled manic highs he’s given up. Is sanity and stability worth the sacrifice? Jack finds himself searching and failing to find moments of magic, until he meets Frank. This was the most boring of all.
Foreign Lovers (USA)
Sparks ignite when an actor and a foreign dancer meet in New York, and the two artists share an immediate connection that surprises and scares them both. It begs the question; can you fall in love with someone in 24 hours? A meditation on life and love in the digital age.
Mankind (UK)
Will is restless. He loves Evan, but it is not in his nature to settle, and when he has a shot at the adventure of a lifetime, he’s prepared to leave love and the Earth behind. ‘Mankind’ reflects on the idea of human beings as explorers by nature, and on the consequences of standing still for too long.
Isha (UK)
Rahmi, a Romanian immigrant living in England, creates a new life for himself whilst trying to keep up appearances with his Muslim family. His brother is a rebel and mother is always scared of unknown. Will Rahmi be able to live a carefree life, being himself and being with the new possible love.
RUOK (USA)
Best friends Alex and Brian have a bitter fight, entirely via text message, when one of them sleeps with the other’s crush. But, just as things seem to settle, an unexpected development may lead to yet another riff. Wonderful short with almost no dialogues until very end. Gay men are indeed mostly shallow.
Manivald (Estonia/Croatia/Canada)
Manivald is turning 33. He feels content but claustrophobic, being smothered by his mother and her expectations. When foxy Toomas arrives to fix their washing machine, his affection towards Manivald leads to a sexual and emotional awakening. Animation and slightly boring.
The World In Your Window (New Zealand)
Eight-year-old Jesse struggles to comfort his grief-stricken father who refuses to face the past, acknowledge the present or plan for the future. They are stuck, until an unlikely friendship with the transgender Repa unlocks the means for Jesse to liberate his father and himself.
I was amazed that I had not seen any of these short films before. Most of these were good, barring the almost 30 minute Don't Blame Jack.
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