Fun, sexy, Greek, and low-budget – those are the guidelines a foreign movie producer has given twinky actor Nikitas (who keeps losing roles for acting “too gay”) for a potential film project. So over the course of a long afternoon at a scenic gay nude beach, Nikitas and his BFF Demos, a former actor turned pencil-pushing public servant, begin to write the screenplay for what they hope will be their big cinematic break. Nikitas fancies himself the next Xavier Dolan, and Demos has dreams of a Hemsworth brother playing him. Under the beating sun on the blue Mediterranean, the besties (who met in film school) uncover the perfect subject matter as they recall the chaotic, fruitful antics of their respective love lives two summers ago. Break-ups, hook-ups, and a dog named Carmen… look out Cannes, here comes the next big thing in queer cinema!
Laugh out loud hilarious and unrelentingly horny, The Summer with Carmen brilliantly blends its intersecting narratives, as memory collides with fantasy and art rubs up against truth.
A radical lesbian feminist whose trailblazing vision and ebullient personality were the spark for movements with far-reaching impacts, the legacy of Sally Gearhart has also largely been erased from history. From the defeat of the Briggs Initiative to the founding of the first Women’s Studies program in the nation, to groundbreaking writing on lesbian separatist communities, Gearhart was a fierce-hearted San Francisco political preacher at the center of many iconic movements of the 1970s and 1980s.
“Feminism has done more to save the lives of women in the last 20 years than Jesus Christ did in 2,000 years of Christianity.” –Sally Gearhart Sally Gearhart spearheaded the 1970s and 80s lesbian feminist movement making an indelible impact on LGBTQ Equality and Women’s Rights; a brilliant sexy superstar who inspired thousands. So why have you never heard of her? From the defeat of the California 1978 Prop 6/Briggs Initiative to the founding of the Women’s Studies program at SF State (one of the earliest in the nation,) to Wanderground, her novel that inspired lesbian separatist communities all over the world, Gearhart was a fierce-hearted San Francisco political preacher at the center of movements for social change. Deftly weaving archival footage with interviews spanning decades, Sally! illuminates the personal and political context that defines Gearhart’s legacy, humorously and thoughtfully celebrating her while also confronting the controversies and limitations of lesbian separatism. Sally! is a rare watch that honors its subject as both an icon and a beloved, complex individual.
I’m publicizing the recent June digital release of one of last year’s breakout indie film festival hits, BIG BOYS, an utterly joyous LBGTQ+ comedy of a teenage boy who develops an unexpected crush on his cousin’s boyfriend during a weekend camping trip in the majestic mountains of California. A Queer, Body-Positive comedy inspired by Welcome To The Dollhouse & Heartstoppers, set amidst the majestic wilderness of Northern California, BIG BOYS is the underdog indie comedy release of 2024.
Written, directed, and produced by self-professed ‘big boy’ Corey Sherman, BIG BOYS features a beautifully unexpected ending. This heartwarming and critically acclaimed film is a fresh and body positive take on the teenage coming-of-age while coming-out story. The Guardian called it “an achingly brilliant queer coming-of-age classic” and Attitude said it’s “an instant crowd pleaser.”
Peter Debruge from Variety called it ‘deliciously uncomfortable…Corey Sherman’s endearing debut feature introduces breakout Isaac Krasner as a teen with a huge heart and an unspoken fascination with manly men.”
BIG BOYS features a standout performance from teen Isaac Krasner (Outfest, Oustanding Performance Award), and naturalistic comedic performances from Dora Madison (Friday Night Lights), David Johnson III (Apple+ series Lady in the Lake), Taj Cross (PEN15) and Emily Deschanel (Devil in Ohio, Animal Kingdom, Bones). Inspired by the filmmaker’s experience as a chubby closeted teen, he decided to tell the story he wish he’d seen back then. Said Corey, ‘I wanted to showcase the very funny, thrilling, and tender experience of a chubby teen going through a life-altering experience and allow him to be a fully-developed, nuanced character. I hope that all audiences who see the film can feel more celebrated and understood, including all the Big Boys who have never seen their story on screen before.” Full of vivid and natural light-infused cinematography, it is set amidst the exquisitely photographed backdrop of pristine mountains, lakes, and forests of California’s famed Lake Arrowhead. Featuring a vibrant electronic score by acclaimed LGBTQ+ musician Will Wiesenfeld, better known as Baths.
BIG BOYS marks the directorial debut for Sherman, after writing and directing numerous award-winning comedic shorts and television writing for Adult Swim, and also for producer Allison Tate, a veteran U.S. LGBTQ+ journalist and media producer.
BIG BOYS world premiered in 2023 to sold-out screenings at the BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, and went on to a critically acclaimed and award-winning festival run, including Outfest (Audience Award, Best Narrative Feature & Grand Jury Prize, Outstanding Performance for Isaac Krasner), Frameline, Palm Springs IFF, and many more.
Audiences who made Netflix’s Heartstopper a hit should gravitate to this. – The Hollywood ReporterAn achingly brilliant queer coming-of-age classic. – The Guardian An instant crowd pleaser, Big Boys is heartwarming and sweetly comedic. – AttitudeA sensitive coming-of-age drama, which relies heavily on the significant appeal of emerging lead actor Isaac Krasner. – Screen
Corey Sherman is a writer and director for film and television based in Los Angeles. Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim recently hired Corey to write a pilot script for his animated horror-comedy series, Monster Night Live, to be co-written with Matt Maiellaro (Aqua Teen Hunger Force). Prior to that, Corey wrote and directed Francis, Cheap, and Out of Control, an episode of Adult Swim’s 12 Oz. Mouse, which premiered on the network’s April Fools’ Day programming event. Corey worked as a writer and director at the video network Tastemade, where he created Authentic, a comedic series that has received over 100 million views on Facebook. Corey has also written and directed several award-winning comedic short films, such as Hot Take, and had his work featured on the front pages of Reddit, Vulture, and NoBudge.
Director/producer Fia Perera‘s Perera Pictures is proud to announce the North American video-on-demand (VOD) release of “Paul & Trisha: The Art of Fluidity” (Gravitas Ventures) on July 9, 2024. This colorful, heartwarming, and truly inspirational documentary, which
explores the lives of two renowned British artists who exist in one gender-fluid body: Paul Whitehead and Trisha Van Cleef, is Perera’s directorial debut, and will stream in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Pre-orders are available now on iTunes/Apple TV.
“A brilliant, beautiful, sensitive documentary” (Broadway to Vegas), “Paul & Trisha: The Art of Fluidity” has received rave reviews, with critics focusing on how Perera “reveals the challenges and joyful moment which both souls celebrate and endure…with great dignity and purpose” (Film Threat), while others praise the film’s style, exclaiming “the artwork alone is worth the price of admission, but the story is amazing and its presentation is brilliant” (Splash Magazine).
“As a filmmaker and activist, my passion is spotlighting and elevating individuals like Paul and Trisha, who navigate their gender fluidity and duality with great freedom”, said Perera. “My mission with this film is to help inspire other people who are struggling to be their true selves to take the leap!”
“Paul & Trisha: The Art of Fluidity” focuses on Paul Whitehead, a painter, graphic designer, writer, and musician who worked as an art director for Time Out and John Lennon; founded the Eyes and Ears Foundation and its Artboard Festival, which allowed artists to showcase their work on billboards; and made album covers for music icons like Genesis, Credence Clearwater Revival, Van der Graaf Generator, and Peter Hammill.
Whitehead began exploring his gender identity through cross-dressing during the 1960s, leading to the emergence of the converged artist Trisha Van Cleef in 2004. The film delves into the brutal challenges and beautiful victories that Paul and Trisha have faced—together and individually—in the mercurial and competitive art world while unapologetically navigating the uncharted waters of gender identity and artistic expression, breaking down perilous stigmas along the way.
“Paul & Trisha: The Art of Fluidity” has held a successful festival run with screenings at Cinequest Film Festival, Santa Fe Film Festival Ojai Film Festival, and New Filmmakers LA Docuslate Festival.
Perera Pictures & Fisky Enterprises present “Paul & Trisha: The Art of Fluidity.” Featuring Paul Whitehead & Trisha Van Cleef, the film is written, directed and produced by Fia Perera, with Adam Fisk serving as an executive producer, with cinematography and editing by William Gilmore.
“All Shall Be Well “is a new lesbian drama from Hong Kong director Ray Yeung that is moving and beautifully made. It opens with a scene from the everyday life of two women, shopping at street markets and then unloading the food at home. We intuit that they might be lovers, especially as they prepare a meal together wordlessly in synch, with the familiarity of a very long-term couple.
We learn about the lives of these women, Angie (Patra Au) and Pat (Lin-Lin Li), who indeed have shared a home and a life for several decades, through scenes of their interactions with Pat’s family and with their “chosen family” of two other female couples. Pat is approaching retirement age with a vision of opening her own business, and both she and Angie share a warm relationship with Pat’s brother and his family. Her brother’s wife refers to Angie as her sister-in-law, and their son and his fiancée call her “Auntie Angie” and are obviously very fond of the women and their relationship.
But before much more occurs, Pat passes away in her sleep, leaving Angie shocked and grieving. And the supportive in-laws she thought would be there for her are taking control of all the assets—including their home. Pat died without a will, and the apartment is in her name only. Angie has no legal claim because they didn’t choose to marry abroad, and she is reduced to the role of “best friend” and loses everything. All she can do now is claim a dependency allowance from the estate. For support, she turns to her lesbian friends, and they help her survive the loss of her dear one and its disastrous aftermath.
Ray Yeung has cleverly used the family drama genre to uncover the truth behind the “acceptance” of queer people. Without carefully planned documentation for our estates, we risk leaving our partners disempowered, even homeless and broke. It is an important film with great writing and acting that will hopefully be seen by a wide international audience.
Bubbly and steamy at varying turns, Greyson Horst’s comedy Throuple is alive with a sense of romantic exploration amid the fierce energy of its DIY scene. At its opening, Throuple finds single singer-songwriter Michael (played by Michael Doshier, who also penned the screenplay) adrift and musically uninspired… at least until he meets a newly-open gay married couple at his friend’s show.
Seemingly on the hunt for casual sexual encounters, Georgie (Stanton Plummer-Cambridge) and Connor (Tommy Heleringer of Gayby, Frameline36) instantly draw Michael into their orbit. But when Michael’s relationship with the husbands starts to feel less like an NSA fling and more like a hunt to find their third, Michael starts to consider new possibilities both in his romantic and his artistic pursuits, taking him to uncharted territory.
Using split-screen editing, sharp location photography, and colorful captions amid the din of the many concert and performance sequences, Throuple’s energy stems as much from its central trio as the creative community they’re a part of. Throuple offers a sweetly realized tale of growing up, which places openness and creativity as keys to unlocking one’s self.
PROGRAM NOTE WRITER
George Elkind
Expected Guests
Michael Doshier
Actor, Screenwriter
Katharine Bartek
Producer
Phillip Hughes
Producer
Streaming Note: This film is only available to stream in California.
Struggling as a young aspiring writer in London, Max forges a new identity for himself in the form of a ravenous sex worker: Sebastian. Opening himself up to a previously unexplored world, Max suddenly finds himself unburdened by expectations and invigorated by possibility. When he begins writing thinly-veiled stories about his double life, Max finds himself with the book deal he’d been dreaming of. But as his newfound experiences spur a creative output, Max must decide where he ends and Sebastian begins.
With his confident sophomore feature, Finnish British writer/director Mikko Mäkelä (A Moment in the Reeds, Frameline42) isn’t afraid to explore the complicated nuances of sex work and the transformative power it can wield. As Mäkelä traces Max’s journey of self-identity (which is powerfully brought to life onscreen by actor Ruaridh Mollica), he opts not for sensationalism but tenderness. The result is a thoughtful, compelling investigation of the importance of queer identities and how they shape us.
There is a scene in Rent Free that can only be described as the It’s Always 2 Dumb Bitches Telling Each Other “Exactlyyyyy” meme come to life. In it, besties Ben (Jacob Roberts) and Jordan (David Treviño) come up with a scheme to live “rent free” for a year after completely blowing up their lives. What could possibly go wrong?!
Filled with hilarious performances, Rent Free is the second feature and third appearance at Frameline in so many years from Fernando Andrés and the team behind Three Headed Beast (Frameline46) and Knowing Me, Knowing You (Frameline47). The naturalistic, intimate tone allows an unfiltered look at Gen-Z trying to find financial and emotional stability in modern-day Austin, TX. When Ben says, “we don’t have shit going on, we don’t have shit to lose, so it’s like the universe is just telling us to roll with it,” it’s incredibly resonant to the current moment. Rent Free combines a social experiment and a buddy comedy, with delightful results.
Centered on the clashing emotions and pent-up passions of a beloved high school football star, Riley is a powerful, compelling tale of a young man’s journey to discover who he is, what he wants, and where he’s going. Written and directed by Benjamin Howard, the film tells the story of a popular and talented young athlete who struggles with the all-encompassing anxiety of coming out. His overbearing dad and hyped-up teammates have a clear plan for Riley, but secret dreams and desires gnaw at his insides.
Filmmaker Howard infuses this honest high school story with intense moments of sexual desire and the awkward realities of adolescent relationships. Jake Holley delivers an intricate, powerful performance as Riley, a character who strives to be loved by everyone, but struggles to love himself. Also starring Colin McCalla (The Dick Appointment, Frameline44), Riley is a deep dive into the complex emotions of budding masculinity and the challenge of connecting with teenage peers. Its unique take on identity, love, and sexual desire resonates long after the closing credits.
They were also life partners and privately lived openly as a gay couple but kept that fact away from the public, and somehow the media. Even so, they were responsible for the groundbreaking queer love story Maurice back in 1987. Based on the novel by E M Forster written in 1914 who also closeted, insisted wasn’t published until after he died in 1971. It was a happy love story…. a rarity for a gay film ….. and they even managed to include male nudity unknown in the cinema at the time.
Merchant Ivory also converted a second E M Forster novel A ROOM WITH A VIEW in 1985 and this was their first film that broke out of the Art House into the mainstream.
With a veritable who’s who of actors …..including six Oscar winners …. we get to learn what made them such a dynamic duo who produced these outstanding cinematic gems and how their partnership affected their work and other relationships. Their impact on the cinema ….. particularly period dramas, can never be under-appreciated, They were geniuses and they so deserve this very affectionate profile.
