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.
Transcendence Theatre Company continues its 2024 summer season, Broadway in Sonoma, with the world premiere of Don’t Stop Us Now.The brand new production is a creative collaboration between MidAtlantic Men, Queenz That Rock, and Transcendence Theatre Company, conceived and directed by beloved Transcendence performers Simon Pearl and Emily Yates. Don’t Stop Us Now features an exhilarating combination of British and American tunes, a trio of rock divas, and an explosion of song, with Pearl and Yates performing alongside a talented cast of musical artists, each bringing their unique flair and energy to the stage. For one weekend only, California Wine Country’s award-winning premiere entertainment experience will present Don’t Stop Us Now, Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28, in Sonoma’s Field of Dreams in Fazio Field, just steps away from downtown Sonoma.The Queenz That Rock, a dynamic trio of rock powerhouses, features the incredible talents of Charis Gullage, Ruby Lewis, and Emily Yates. The MidAtlantic Men, composed of J.D. Daw, Julian Diaz-Granados, and Simon Pearl, deliver the best hits from the UK and the US with their tight harmonies and soaring vocals.
The stellar cast has a range of unique experiences on Broadway, in National Tours, and beyond. Emily Yates is an award-winning vocalist who has performed since the age of eight when she made her debut in Babes in Toyland. She’s held lead roles in 42nd Street and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and has wowed audiences across the US and abroad. Simon Pearl’s extensive career has taken him from Broadway (Les Misérables) to Nickelodeon cartoons, Nurse Jackie, Blacklist, and stages throughout the US and the United Kingdom. The duo has worked with Transcendence for three years. J.D. Daw is known for his Off-Off-Broadway role in I Love My Family, But… and extensive regional experience. Julian Diaz-Granados makes his Transcendence debut and brings his Broadway and National Tour experience from Dear Evan Hansen. Charis Gullage, a native New Orleanian, debuts with Queenz That Rock, having recently performed in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and Hairspray. Ruby Lewis, celebrated for her Broadway and Las Vegas performances, adds her talent with credits like Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour and the North American tour of Queen’s We Will Rock You.”I can’t wait to bring our collaborative show to Sonoma this summer! Simon and I have worked tirelessly for years to make these groups individually successful, and now with Transcendence joining us, this show is unstoppable!” said Yates. “As part of Queenz That Rock, we’ve been rehearsing and adding new songs in collaboration with MidAtlantic Men specifically for Sonoma, and they will blow you away. I’m thrilled with the talented artists we’ve brought together to perform in Sonoma. I’m incredibly proud of the hard work everyone has put in to ensure you have The Best Night Ever, and an unforgettable journey!”
“Transcendence has been a place of creativity and exploration for so many artists over the years. Having cultivated so many relationships at TTC that have had a massive impact on our producing, it is wonderful to come full circle and bring those shows back home,” Pearl added. “I am so thrilled that Transcendence is continuing its tradition of innovation by bringing us in and giving the audience something they’ve never seen before: a show that will have you laughing, cheering, and on your feet. Both MidAtlantic Men and Queenz That Rock are all about breaking the fourth wall and getting to know the audience as much as they get to know us. In the true spirit of Sonoma we can’t wait to build even more community at the field of dreams this summer!”With Pearl and Yates leading as directors of Don’t Stop Us Now, the creative team includes Justin Partier (Lighting Designer), Nils Erickson (Sound Designer/Engineer), and choreography by Sarah Crane,Sierra Lai Barnett, and Sara Garfinkel. Transcendence’s music supervisor, Matt Smart (A Christmas Carol, SF Tour; Hamilton, And Peggy Tour), will serve as the music director, and the performance will feature musical arrangements by Jonathan Brenner, Jacob Kerzner, James Olmstead, Francesco Varatti, and Smart, and additional music by Jeremiah Ginn, Brandon Lambert, Ben Lurye, Alejandro Senior, and Robby Wingfield. The creative team also includes Daniel Simons (Production Manager), Jeffrey Porter (Technical Director), Sarah E. T. Jackson (Production Stage Manager),and Michelle Tuite (Assistant Stage Manager).Special community night performances for Don’t Stop Us Now include Family Night on Sunday, July 28, and Pet Lifeline Night on Thursday, July 25. Each Sunday performance this summer, Transcendence will host a special Family Night, when youth tickets are available for $5 with the purchase of a full price adult ticket. At Pets Lifeline Night, Transcendence’s Broadway in Sonoma partner, the girl & the fig, will generously donate 15% of all ticket sales for this performance to Pets Lifeline, an animal shelter based in Sonoma that protects and improves the lives of cats and dogs in need.
The Transcendence ExperienceWith Sonoma Plaza a mere walk from Field of Dreams, guests are encouraged to enjoy dinner, shopping, world-class wine tastings, and all that Sonoma has to offer before and after the show. This season, food trucks will not be on-site at the Field of Dreams. The RBC Wealth Management Gold Lounge at Fazio Field will open at 5:30 p.m. before each performance for Gold level tickets. Fazio Field will open at 6:30 p.m. for all other ticket levels. Guests can enjoy artisanal wines, local beer, and other beverages before the show begins at 7:30 p.m.For the Broadway in Sonoma summer series, Transcendence Theatre Company has partnered with several surrounding parking lots near the Field of Dreams. All patrons who plan to drive must make a parking lot reservation before arriving at the show, either through the online checkout process or by calling the Transcendence Box Office at 877-424-1414 Ext. 1.Individual tickets range in price from $35 to $190. Three-show subscribers will save 20% and receive priority seating and subscriber benefits. Groups of 10 or more will save up to 20%. Both tickets and subscriptions are available now online at BestNightEver.org, or by calling the box office at 877-424-1414 Ext. 1.
The 2024Broadway in Sonoma season sponsors include RBC Wealth Management; Benziger Family Winery; The Press Democrat; Sotheby’s International Realty; Redwood Credit Union; La Crema (Jackson Family Wines); The Alan and Susan Seidenfeld Charitable Fund; Kaiser Permanente (KP); Amaturo Sonoma Media Group, Bank of Marin; Exchange Bank; Jeffrey D. Bean, DDS; SOMO Village; Perry, Johnson, Anderson, Miller, and Moskowitz LLP; Friedman’s Home Improvement; Sonoma Valley Inn; Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn; Parkpoint Health Club; and Sonoma Valley Authors Festival.The 2024 Season also includes:August 15 – 18Dancing in the StreetA sizzling summer block partySeptember 19 – 22The Gala: A Sentimental JourneyA tribute to classic Broadway and more
About Transcendence Theatre Company: Transcendence Theatre Company is California Wine Country’s premiere entertainment experience, thirteen years and counting. Presenting a season of original outdoor musical revues under the stars, an indoor holiday show every winter, and more, our mission is to create extraordinary evenings featuring the best talents from Broadway and beyond. From its primary home within the majestic open-air ruins of the historic winery in Jack London State Historic Park to other remarkable and stunning settings throughout Wine Country and the community, Transcendence Theatre Company is dedicated to providing the joys and benefits of musical theater to all through one of a kind performances, community engagements, and arts education programs.Through its Transcendence For All initiatives, the company partners with local nonprofits to make the arts accessible to youth, seniors, people with disabilities, and more. Transcendence offers free performances and workshops, as well as accessibility features at its productions. BestNightEver.orgFor 10 years, Transcendence Theatre Company (Transcendence) held its summer season at Jack London State Historic Park. However, ongoing compliance with the litigation settlement between the California State Park Ranger Association and the State of California Park Department over the environmental review process and permitting has kept Transcendence out of the park for both the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons.
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.
