This week, I had the honor of serving on the U.S. Narrative Feature jury for NewFest, the country’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival. NewFest regularly one of my favortive festivals to attend, it’s in my backyard, honors the people in my community, and the movies are really really good. This year was no exception with terrific entries from new voices like Annapurna Sriram and Elliott Tuttle to revered auteurs like Richard Linklater. Here are a few of my favorites, starting with what my fellow jury members and I awarded the Jury Prize.
For more information on all movies playing at this year’s festival, go to newfest.org.
Fucktoys
What it’s about: Sex worker and ingénue AP (writer-director Annapurna Sriram) learns she can break a curse hanging over her head for the low price of $1,000 and a baby lamb sacrifice. But to raise the cash, she has to navigate her moped through the seedy, surreal underbelly of “Trashtown” (and its bizarre circus of Johns, psychics, and, maybe, serial killers?).
Blue Moon
What it’s about: It’s March 31, 1943, and legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) is drowning his sorrows in a bottle at Sardi’s while his former partner Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott) celebrates the opening night of his smash-hit musical Oklahoma!. But as Hart desperately tries to win the love of a young woman (Margaret Qualley) with gifts and card tricks, his unraveling ego threatens to swallow him whole.
She’s The He
What it’s about: High school seniors Alex (Nico Carney) and Ethan (Misha Osherovich) concoct a desperate scheme during their final week of school: pretend to be trans women to dodge basic homophobia and get closer to their crushes. The ploy actually works, but there’s just one hitch—Ethan realizes she isn’t pretending.
Blue Film
What it’s about: Los Angeles camboy Aaron (Kieron Moore) accepts an eye-popping $50,000 offer for a private, overnight booking with an anonymous fan. But when he unmasks his client, he gets the shock of his life: it’s his disgraced former middle school teacher (Reed Birney), sparking a tense, deeply uncomfortable night of long-buried secrets and raw confrontation.
I Wish You All The Best
What it’s about: After getting kicked out of their house for coming out as nonbinary to their ultra-religious parents, high schooler Ben (Corey Fogelmanis) moves in with their estranged sister (Alexandra Daddario). Struggling with heavy anxiety at a brand-new school, Ben tries to fly under the radar—until a blossoming bond with an outgoing classmate (Miles Gutierrez-Riley) offers a ray of hope.
Come See Me In The Good Light
What it’s about: Renowned queer poet and activist Andrea Gibson faces a terminal cancer diagnosis alongside their wife, fellow poet Megan Falley. But rather than sinking into despair, the couple opens up their home to the camera, transforming a devastating reality into a surprisingly funny, radiant celebration of love, art, and mortality.