Shorts Program: Chosen Family

A sweater heist, a fantastical birthday, and butt stuff—these are the stories of our community, our friends, and our chosen families. Three queer friends launch a half-witted heist to steal back a sweater from one of their exes in the short, SAM WANTS HER SWEATER BACK (dir. Whitney Chitwood; U.S.). PROJECT FAMIGLIA: THE ROAD TO US (dir. Anita Zvonar; Italy/Canada) follows an Italian queer couple’s journey that leads them to Canada to pursue their dream of parenthood, challenging intolerance in their home country and prompting the global divide over who should have the right to be a parent in today’s modern age. On the seventh birthday of a child who lives with their "perfect family" in a "dollhouse" but doesn't fit into conventional gender norms, the only way to escape is to make a magical birthday wish in BLOW (dir. Fernanda Beling; Brazil). WHERE ARE YOU? (dir. María Moreno Novoa; Spain) follows Nahia and Laura as they drive along the roads of Navarra in the last days of summer, both about to fulfill their teenage dreams, though it may lead them down different paths. Two anxious roommates fight over the most hallowed of queer spaces—the bathroom—in BUTT/STUFF (dir. Ricki Romano; U.S.). Capping it off, we have MEXICAN DELIGHT (dir. Andres Perez-Duarte; Mexico/U.S.): when Luz, a devout Catholic, is plagued by unsettling dreams, she becomes desperate to stay awake at all costs. Join us after the screenings for a live discussion. Iona Bodem will moderate an exclusive conversation with the creative minds behind Butt Stuff (Rickii Romano and Jet Harris), Project Famiglia (Anita Zvonar), and Sam Wants Her Sweater Back (Whitney Chitwood).