QFEST SHORTS
Friday, September 24 (8pm)
Aurora Picture Show Courtyard
QFest and Aurora co-present an outdoor screening of the ever-popular Competition Shorts program, part of Houston's 25th annual LGBTQ film festival. Selected from international festival submissions, this engaging program of new short films from Indonesia, Iran, Denmark, France, and Canada represents a range of creative approaches and Queer perspectives. Avant-garde visions, compelling tales of tragedy and triumph, and humorous personal reflections are all in the mix in this year’s showcase of new works from rising Queer voices. QFest Competition Shorts Programming was co-curated by Stephanie Saint Sanchez and Kristian Salinas. For mature audiences.
Program:
BEAUTY BOYS by Florent Gouëlou (2019, France, 18 minutes)
A star is born and a small town is shaken up when fearless teen Leo and his pals take over the community square stage with a fierce coming out performance as two “baby” drag queens. In French with English Subtitles.
AS THE CROW FLIES by Michael Søndergaard (2021, Denmark, 18 minutes)
Mathias, a closeted small-town delinquent is shaken by the arrival of a charismatic Swedish ornithologist studying the local bird life. When Mathias’ friends catch the two young men in an intimate moment, it leads to a violent confrontation. In Danish and Swedish with English Subtitles
SABA by Mohammad Reza Khavari (2020, Iran, 13 minutes)
In Iran, where there is a ban on women attending sporting events, a daughter follows her father’s suggestion to disguise herself as a boy to sneak into the stadium. Invited by her father to meet before the game, a long-held secret will be shared that will change their lives forever. In Persian with English Subtitles.
ORIGAMI by Marjan Hashemi (2020, Iran, 14 minutes)
Soodeh, a teenage school girl with a crush on Atena, a star basketball player, is soon discovered by the teams coach. Employing manipulation, the unscrupulous coach sets her sights on Soodeh herself threatening to expose Soodeh’s secret to school officials. In Persian with English subtitles.
DEARLY by Rose-Anne Déry (2020, Canada, 15 minutes)
The looming cracks in Olivia and Julie’s relationship coupled with a pack of ravenous raccoons wreak havoc on an already fraught romantic birthday weekend camping trip. In French with English Subtitles.
CHEAP THRILLS by Candra Aditya (2021, Indonesia, 24 minutes)
Two strangers meet for a rendezvous at a downtown hotel. During the course of their encounter, they share intimate details about hook-up culture, their first sexual experiences, coming-out, falling in love, and what it feels like to be gay in the largest Muslim country in the world. In Indonesian with English Subtitles.
All Aurora Picture Show staff members, visiting artists, volunteers, and representatives have been fully vaccinated. Although it cannot be required, Aurora prefers that all audience members be fully vaccinated. Masking is required inside our venue, but is optional while in our spacious, outdoor courtyard.
In the case of inclement weather, outdoor programs will be relocated to our indoor space (for the same date and time), which will have a reduced capacity and require masking. These decisions will be made the day of the programs, so please check our website and/or social media for updates.