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Gay Short Films : 93

David is a Homosexual (UK)
A 38 minute docu-drama from 1978, this film shows us the story of a lonely gay man David, who discovers friends, love and activism in his life. Intended as an educational tool, the film was shown around the country to straight and gay audiences. It shows us a timeline from self acceptance, to coming out embracing what's truly yours to be proud of. 

Antes de entrar, permita salir (Mexico) [Let People Exit Before Boarding]
Two teenagers are looking for a place to have sex for the first time. One of them is straight curious. Over the course of night, they spent time getting to know each other, looking for a place for sex, including a motel. By the time its morning, a new bond of friendship develops between the two men despite their social difference.

No Goodbyes (USA)
Love in a concentration camp. An old man recounts his story to a film maker about  pain and loneliness and brutality and love in the concentration camp. A young Jewish gay man, Otto, is protected by a "kapo" (a fellow prisoner) and an SS guard who unexpectedly ends up saving his life. Well acted and a decently crafted story.

A Naked Boy (South Korea)
This story about a man reminiscing on a past love is an important story that we need to hear. Jin-tae is 45 years old and a History teacher. He suffers because a student, who resembles to his ex-boyfriend, is in his class and he can't seem to not see him naked. Wherever he sees that student, he just sees him naked. Kind of a weird premise but good production and acting.

The Apple Tree (USA)
When Gabe and Jonathan fall in love in the 1940s, they decide to spend their life together in secret. But when Jonathan unexpectedly passes away years later, Gabe is faced with the fact that many LGBT elders face when they move into retirement homes…he must return into the closet. The flashback parts were nicely done but the older bits were painful and difficult to watch.

100 Boyfriends Mixtape (USA)
An HIV-positive Bay Area gay man shrink-fits a new pair of shoplifted jeans in the bath while candidly relaying his emotional and sexual reality on the phone to a friend. It was actually quite funny to sort of hear the guy go on and on.

Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker (USA)
This short documentary tells the story of early 20th century gay illustrator J.C. Leyendecker, whose advertising work was often coded with LGBTQ imagery. Despite JC's success — he had more Saturday Evening Post covers than Norman Rockwell — his legacy has largely gone unnoticed. This was an excellent 30 min doc. I had no idea about the man and it was so insightful to see all the contributions he had done in his life. Strongly recommend to watch this one.

Que la nuit s'achève (France) [By the End of the Night]
Karim, 30, drives every night. One day at dawn, he drives his last client - a foreign artist, the same age than him. Karim feels irresistibly attracted towards this young man. What he feels will start questioning who he thought he was. I think this film was more from a culture point of view and coming out to family.

Matura (Serbia) [Prom Night]
Three best friends ditch their high school prom dance. The night that follows unravels their hidden and suppressed desires which cast a glimpse of the emotional bewilderment of a whole generation. This includes the girl making the two boys kiss each other, who anyways don not deny the fact that they are both into other men.

Fauve (France) [Wildcat]
Léo, a drama student, sees his world turned upside down following the arrival of Mathis, a new student in his class, and an important family announcement, which will question his point of view on love, friendship and his future as an actor. The whole chemistry and growth of relationship between the two main leads was very well done.

Closets Keep Suburban Boys Home (USA)
A short film dealing with struggles two boy sin suburban America dealing with love and heartbreak. Shown visually in black and white and color palettes, I was unable to really connect with this film at some level.

5 Minutes (USA)
It follows the decisions of a young black man after he wakes up having a one-night-stand with an older gentleman and encounters unwanted sexual advances. The film explores inter generational relationships and touches upon race and power dynamics within the queer community.

Louder Than Words (USA)
A young musician named Ansel, and his unexpected encounter with Niall, an endearing, deaf dancer. A nice beautiful short film capturing the attraction and confessions of two young boys who Strat to have feelings for one another.

Magic H8 Ball (USA)
Burned by a cheating boyfriend (and some mild chlamydia), a heartbroken pushover turns to a mysterious Magic 8 Ball for the answers. But as he starts giving into his impulses, he risks his hurt turning into hate-and losing all control.

Shadow Plant (UK)
A man's unstoppable rise in the world of high finance is threatened by a secret he hoped would never be discovered. When he goes for an interview, he struggles to fight his secret gay identity not just from his homophobic new colleagues but also from his wife.

Miller & Son (USA)
A trans woman mechanic lives between running her family's auto shop during the day and expressing her femininity at night, until an unforeseen event threatens the balance of her compartmentalized life. This was beautifully shot film ad very relevant in today's time.

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