The 31st annual and first virtual Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF) will be held Oct. 3-18, streaming the best in film by and for the LGBTQ community.
This year’s festival will present 60 films from 19 different countries, streaming 21 feature length films across Florida via TIGLFF Online. It will also stream six collections of shorts available across the country, 39 in total.
This year’s TIGLFF will reach a wider audience than ever before. Read Watermark’s in-depth coverage here and grab your popcorn for the full film schedule below.
FRIDAY, OCT. 2 – SATURDAY, OCT. 3
OPENING NIGHT FILM: “PORT AUTHORITY” (2019, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Drama, Romance | 94 Mins.
This love story set in New York’s kiki ballroom scene follows Paul, a 20 year-old Midwesterner, who arrives at the central bus station and quickly catches eyes with Wye, a 22 year-old girl voguing on the sidewalk. After Paul seeks her out in secret, an intense love between them blossoms. But when Paul discovers Wye is trans, he is forced to confront his own identity and what it means to belong.
SATURDAY, OCT. 3 – SATURDAY, OCT. 17
“AHEAD OF THE CURVE” (2020, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Documentary, Lesbian | 98 Mins.
An inspirational tribute to the fascinating life and career of Franco Stevens, creator of the ground-breaking lesbian magazine Curve, which generated a world-wide sense of community and positive visibility for gay women. Decades after its founding, when Stevens learns it will fold within the year, she reaches out to young women working in today’s LGBTQ spaces to celebrate the L-word that has transformed from sullied to sacred.
“BREAKING FAST” (2020, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Comedy, Drama | 92 Mins.
Mo, a practicing Muslim living in West Hollywood, is learning to navigate life post heartbreak. Enter Kal, an All-American guy who surprises Mo by offering to break fast with him during the holy month of Ramadan. As they learn more about each other, they fall in love over what they have in common and what they don’t.
“DREAMARAMA” (2020, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Comedy, Drama | 91 Mins.
When five high school theater friends dress up in costumes for one final murder mystery party before they leave for college in 1994, a night of confabulations and confrontations ensue as they struggle to face their fears, conceal their secret desires and reveal their true identities. This is not another coming-out film, this is a “not coming-out” film – which is closer to the high school experience of closeted gay teenagers.
“ELLIE & ABBIE (& ELLIE’S DEAD AUNT)” (2020, Australia)
Streaming Statewide | Comedy, Fantasy | 80 Mins.
Move over, Cinderella: this modern LGBTQ fairytale belongs to 17-year-old Ellie, who is struggling to find the courage to ask out the girl of her dreams, Abbie. Luckily her Aunt Tara, a lesbian who died in the 80s, has shown up as a “Fairy Godmother” to dish out advice about pursuing her love and coming out to her mother, whether Ellie wants it or not.
“LATTER DAY JEW” (2019, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Documentary | 71 Mins.
Follow writer-comedian H. Alan Scott, a gay man from a Midwestern Mormon family who survived cancer and later converted to Judaism, as he prepares for his Bar Mitzvah. The film chronicles his journey and in the process shows that spiritual and cultural identity are deeper than just what we are born into or what our families believed and taught us.
“MAKING SWEET TEA” (2019, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Documentary | 90 Mins.
Grab a tall one and settle in to watch this intimate documentary that chronicles the journey of E. Patrick Johnson, a southern-born, Black, gay researcher. He travels home to North Carolina to come to terms with his past and continues to Georgia, New Orleans and Washington D.C. in order to reconnect with six Black, gay men he interviewed for the book, “Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South – An Oral History.”
“A SKELETON IN THE CLOSET (TODOS TENEMOS UN MUERTO EN EL PLACARD O UN HIJO EN EL CLOSET)” (2020, Argentina)
Streaming Statewide | Comedy, Drama, Foreign | 103 Mins.
A loving family’s layers of prejudice and pride unravel as they come out, come of age and come around. Manu, a sensitive, gay prodigal son, returns home to fight for his parents’ approval while battling rejection in his own search for intimacy. His efforts are finally rewarded as he leads his loved ones out of the dark and into the light where they all can shine. Spanish with English subtitles.
“TRANSFORMISTAS” (2020, Cuba)
Streaming Statewide | Documentary, Drag, Foreign | 84 Mins.
Covertly filmed without permission from the Cuban government, this documentary fluctuates between the past and the present to contrast the struggles that different generations of drag queens have faced in their country. From the early 90s when they faced violent persecution from a government that considered them a product of capitalism to the present day when there is more support but also a treacherous rivalry. Spanish with English subtitles.
“YOUNG HUNTER (EL CAZADOR)” (2020, Argentina)
Streaming Statewide | Drama, Foreign, Thriller | 101 Mins.
A young man eager to have sex with another man gets involved with a manipulative and exploitative porn plot in this thrilling coming-of-age story that patiently builds to a shattering climax. Its tension-packed score and provocative visuals symbolize the vicious cycle that the protagonist gets caught up in as the film continually questions how he will solve his carnal conundrum. Spanish with English subtitles.
SHORTS COLLECTION #1: “RITES OF PASSAGE”
Streaming Nationwide | 93 Mins. Total
“TAKE ME TO PROM” (2019, Canada)
Documentary | 21 Mins.
LGBTQ people ages 17 to 88 share 70 years of social progress through this adolescent milestone.
THE BRA MITZVAH (2020, USA)
Comedy | 10 Mins.
Becca is about to have her Bat Mitzvah, but her Nana insists she does one thing first: get a “real bra.”
“UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY” (2020, USA)
Comedy | 13 Mins.
After Bea gets dumped on her 30th birthday she finds herself having an unexpected epiphany.
“ELLE” (2020 USA)
Drama | 21 Mins.
16-year-old introverted Elle finds herself in love with her best girl friend who is about to move away.
“LAST SUMMER WITH UNCLE IRA” (2020, USA)
Drama | 13 Mins.
Closeted teenager Daniel is nudged to spend time with his uncle, who is dying of complications from HIV/AIDS.
“THE PASSING” (2020, UK)
Drama | 15 Mins.
A mortician encounters the most difficult job of her career: the life-defining moments that she let pass by.
SHORTS COLLECTION #2: “WILDEST DREAMS”
Streaming Nationwide | 98 Mins. Total
“CC DANCES THE GO-GO” (2020, USA)
Comedy | 11 Mins.
One night at the local Go-Go bar, Nicky encounters the woman of her dreams.
“KIKO’S SAINTS” (2019, France)
Fantasy | 25 Mins.
A Japanese illustrator finds her inspiration by spying on a French, gay couple at the beach. Japanese with English subtitles.
“THE LONELY PRINCE” (2020, India)
Drama, Romance | 15 Mins.
A lonely prince, drowning in melancholy, invites a Sculptor to his court to create a piece of art.
“LOBSTER TITS” (2019, USA)
Comedy | 9 Mins.
After being attacked by arthropod assailants, Cathy calls the “Maritime Mishaps Hotline” for aid.
“MIRROR (SPECCHIO)” (2020, Italy)
Drama, Romance| 15 Mins.
Beatrice goes through the looking glass to relive her intense and tormented relationship with Sveva. Italian with English subtitles.
“PONYBOI” (2019, USA)
Drama, Romance | 19 Mins.
An Intersex sex worker looks for love and a way out of their seedy life through a magical encounter.
“LURKER” (2020, UK)
Drama, Romance | 4 Mins.
Sarah thinks there is a monster under her bed.
SHORTS COLLECTION #3: “MIXED SIGNALS”
Streaming Nationwide | 92 Mins. Total
“AUTOMATE” (2018, Canada)
Sci-Fi, Romance | 10 Mins.
In the near future, two young women meet on a dating app and are confronted by their differences.
“INFLUENCED” (2020, USA)
Comedy | 17 Mins.
A gym newbie attempts to quell his loneliness by transforming into a muscular #instagay before meeting his idol.
THE BINDING OF ITZIK (2020, USA)
Comedy, Drama | 17 Mins.
In his search for bookbinding materials, a middle-aged Hasidic bookbinder responds to an ad offering “binding lessons for submissive women.”
“CONTENT” (2019, USA)
Drama | 12 mins.
When asked to model, Kevin seems to be willing to do whatever it takes to get the perfect shot.
“PEACH” (2020, Australia)
Comedy | 8 Mins.
A socially anxious young woman lands a hot date but she’s not sure if it’s actually a date.
“LOVE YOU TYLER” (2019, USA)
Comedy | 9 Mins.
When Luke starts to talk about his new girlfriend to his male roommate, things get a little awkward.
“BABY BIRD” (2019, USA)
Comedy | 8 Mins.
When Jen and Paul are invited to a coworker’s dinner party, they get roped in to playing the group’s favorite game.
“LONGER” (2020, USA)
Romance | 11 Mins.
Jazz singer Joanne carries a secret torch for Vida and hides her feelings within a song she wrote.
FRIDAY, OCT. 9 – SATURDAY, OCT. 10
CENTERPIECE FILM: “STAGE MOTHER” (2019, Canada)
Streaming Statewide | Comedy, Drag, Drama | 91 Mins.
A conservative church choir director inherits her late son’s San Francisco drag club. Once she gets over her shock at opening up Pandora’s Box, she gets comfortable in the Castro District and ends up mothering all of the drag queens, her son’s boyfriend and his B.F.F. This feel-good, laugh-out-loud, sing-along comedy proves that it is never too late to change your mind, change your views and change your life.
SATURDAY, OCT. 10 – SATURDAY, OCT. 17
“ALICE JUNIOR” (2020, Brazil)
Streaming Statewide | Comedy, Drama, Foreign | 87 Mins.
Alice Junior is a high octane social media influencer and trans girl who panics when she finds she must move to the Brazilian hinterlands to attend a Catholic school with “no friends, no career, no kissing, no boyfriend and no phone signal.” She wins over small-minded bullies as they learn to appreciate this charismatic leader who’s more into friendship and feminist bathrooms than Barbie Dance Parties. Portuguese language with English subtitles.
“BARE” (2020, Belgium)
Streaming Statewide | Documentary, Foreign | 91 Mins.
Eleven male dancers bare their bodies and souls for famed Belgian choreographer Thierry Smits’ “Nudity is Beautiful”-themed production. Witness an intense portrayal of the creative process sprinkled with some light-hearted moments to let the viewer catch their breath. The film, and the production it chronicles, can only be described as a ritual of possession ending with the third act – liberation. Dutch and French with English subtitles.
“GIVE OR TAKE” (2020, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Comedy, Drama | 103 Mins.
When a disillusioned New Yorker’s father dies, he goes home to Cape Cod and prepares the house for sale while sharing it with his father’s late-in-life, live-in boyfriend. Grieving, they circle each other, butt heads and are forced to negotiate how to remember the man they both loved as well as the significance of what he left behind. This endearing tale examines what it truly means to be home.
“MINIYAN” (2020, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Drama | 118 Mins.
Set in the Russian-Jewish enclave of Brighton Beach during the 80s, this contemplative coming-of-age and coming-out story follows the soul-searching journey of David. The closeted, gay Yeshiva student moves in with his grandfather in a Jewish religious center where the two worlds of his dual identity collide as he becomes the tenth man in a Jewish quorum called a minyan.
“STEELERS: THE WORLD’S FIRST GAY RUGBY CLUB” (2020, UK)
Streaming Statewide | Documentary, Sports | 80 Mins.
Come for the eye candy of hunky rugby players and their spunky lesbian coach – stay for the meaningful stories, exciting tournaments and the surprising half-time drag show. This action-packed documentary examines the Kings Cross Steelers, the world’s first gay rugby club that started in London in 1995, as they compete over two decades later against 60 other gay teams in the Bingham Cup.
SHORTS COLLECTION #4: “DESPERATE MEASURES”
Streaming Nationwide | 108 Mins. Total
“FABIU” (2020, Austria)
Drama | 30 Mins.
An 80-year-old retiree hires a male care worker to help with his wife and experiences feelings of suppressed longing. German with English subtitles.
“NO HOMO” (2019, Israel)
Comedy | 20 Mins.
Ruta would do anything to bring her son and his ex-wife back together, but first she has to convince him that he is not gay. Hebrew with English subtitles.
“BUCK” (2020, USA)
Drama | 14 Mins.
Caught in the throes of a depressive fugue, young Lynn resorts to debauchery to find joy.
“A COHABITATION” (2019, Taiwain)
Drama | 18 Mins.
A gay, interracial couple are forced to separate because one of them has HIV and faces deportation. Chinese with English subtitles.
“LOVE ME” (2020, Greece)
Drama | 26 Mins.
In the world of a Greek seaside town, a hustler with daddy issues tries to break out of his vicious cycle.
SHORTS COLLECTION #5: “IDENTITY CRISIS”
Streaming Nationwide | 107 Mins. Total
“ABOUT A SHORT FILM” (2020, USA)
Comedy | 7 Mins.
A gay, Asian comedian from Canada tries to carve out a niche in Hollywood by making a short film.
“WONDER” (2019, USA)
Drama | 16 Mins.
An 11-year-old kid growing up in “the hood” secretly dreams of trick-or-treating as Wonder Woman.
“AYANEH” (2019, Switzerland)
Drama | 14 Mins.
A young refugee from Afghanistan experiences freedom and love in Switzerland. Swiss, German and Persian with English subtitles.
“BABYDYKE” (2019, Denmark)
Drama | 20 Mins.
Frede accompanies her big sister to a queer party but objects to being labeled. Danish with English subtitles.
“ALL THE YOUNG DUDES” (2020, USA)
Drama | 9 Mins.
In 1973, glam rocker Billy rebels against his conservative high school, inspiring admiration.
“SHORT CALF MUSCLE” (2019, Netherlands)
Comedy | 13 Mins.
Anders is different, but he doesn’t know that. He’s also gay, but that’s not the point here. Dutch with English subtitles.
BOYS DON’T WEAR DRESSES (2020, USA)
Drama | 28 Mins.
A modern-day fairytale about the struggles of being an autistic transgender individual exploring friendship and love.
SHORTS COLLECTION #6: “ROLE REVERSAL”
Streaming Nationwide | 93 Mins. Total
“VOTE NEIL” (2020, USA)
Documentary | 19 Mins.
Two gay Marines in Birmingham, Alabama battle their hardest mission: Election Week 2018.
“OUT OF THE SHADOWS” (2019, USA)
Documentary | 10 Mins.
Joselyn, a Mexican transgender immigrant woman, finds a community in Queens, New York.
“TALL TALES WITH TRUE QUEENS” (2020, USA)
Documentary | 10 Mins.
A tale of pride and prejudice is shared at Drag Queen Story Hour.
“THE GENDER LINE” (2019, USA)
Documentary, 12 Mins.
Transgender rock star Cidny Bullens, who sang in Elton John’s band and had recording contracts with three major labels, reflects on his career.
“DISRUPTOR CONDUCTOR” (2019, Canada)
Documentary | 42 Mins.
As one of the first openly gay, Black conductors, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser is on a mission to create live orchestral shows that are for everyone. Featuring “Drag Race” alum Thorgy Thor.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14 – SATURDAY, OCT. 17
“FIRST BLUSH” (2020, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Comedy, Drama | 105 Mins.
When a young married couple becomes involved with another woman, they learn to navigate the emotional intricacies of a polyamorous relationship in this story about the pursuit of love. With richly drawn characters, incisive dialogue and wry comedic takes on life, the film dives deep into the anxieties that shape a generation and speaks to universal themes of attraction, compatibility and the courage it takes to secure authentic connections.
“SURVIVING THE SILENCE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF TWO WOMEN IN LOVE WHO HELPED CHANGE MILITARY POLICY” (2019, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Documentary | 79 Mins.
Col. Patsy Thompson and wife Barbara reveal how they had to keep their relationship secret for years to preserve her military career. The greatest challenge when Patsy was forced to preside over the review board to discharge a lesbian war hero, where she found a way to document the case that would help her become re-instated in the future via a federal court. It charted a course towards overturning the ban on gays and lesbians in the military.
THURSDAY, OCT. 15 – SATURDAY, OCT. 17
UNSOUND (2020, Australia)
Streaming Statewide | Drama, Romance | 103 Mins.
There’s a silent synchronicity on the screen when Noah, a disillusioned musician, returns home for some soul searching and falls for Finn, a deaf trans DJ trying to build up his community dance club, as they chase down dreams and demons. Music replaces dialogue as the language of love and, like exchange students in a foreign land, their contrasting worlds move from collision to collaboration.
“WHO’S ON TOP: LGBTQ’S SUMMITT MT. HOOD” (2020, USA)
Streaming Statewide | Documentary, Sports | 80 Mins.
Narrated by George Takei, vicariously experience the thrills, the chills and the drills of mountain-climbing in this cinematic metaphor for triumph and transcendence. Members of the LGBTQ community challenge stereotypes about gender and sexuality to demonstrate their diverse journeys in overcoming physical and figurative mountains. The film captures the spectacular scenery of Oregon’s tallest mountain, matched only in grace by four fascinating individuals.
SATURDAY, OCT. 17 – SUNDAY, OCT. 18
CLOSING NIGHT FILM: “TWO OF US (DEUX)” (2019, France)
Drama, Romance, Foreign, Thriller | 99 Mins.
Nina and Madeleine have hidden their deep and passionate love for many decades, but their bond is put to the test when they are suddenly unable to move freely between each other’s apartments. The dramatic twists and turns of their characters’ heroic efforts to rescue each other show that love hurts but ultimately triumphs. French with English subtitles.
The 31st and first virtual Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF) will stream Oct. 2-18 via TIGLFF Online at TIGLFF.Eventive.org. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit TIGLFF.com and read Watermark’s in-depth festival coverage here.
