There’s no better good news for Queerguru than hearing about another queer Film Fest : there is so much really excellent LGBTQA+  cinema that deserves reaching the biggest audience it can. The newest one to make its debut is the 1st Annual 29 Queer Film Festival on September 20-22,  taking place in the stunning and tranquil desert oasis of Twentynine Palms, California.  

This unique festival will bring the vibrant and diverse voices of the LGBTQ+ community to the heart of the Mojave Desert. The inaugural line-up of screenings and events,  includes film premieres, drag performances, indoor and outdoor screenings, and themed culinary experiences.

The festival will begin on Friday Sept 20th with the Opening Screening, a World Premiere of PAPI’S PREGNANT, an autobiographical documentary about one trans masc non-binary person’s journey to pregnancy by Oliverio Rodriguez, and it will be followed by the QUEER HORROR shorts program. An OPENING NIGHT AFTERPARTY will be held at local hotspot OUT THERE BAR with live DJs.

 

Saturday afternoon will feature a screening of THE PEOPLE’S JOKER, Vera Drew’s satirical masterpiece take on the iconic Batman villain. The evening will begin with the BEARS, LESBIANS, & QUEERS, OH MY! program, featuring a mix of narrative and documentary shorts covering the spectrum of the queer community. Saturday will continue with a gala event celebrating the World Premiere WILLA JUSTICE: DRAG QUEEN PRIVATE EYE, starring hi-desert drag legend Lady Chilane and Emmy-nominee Scott Turner Schofield, from director Jonathan Andre Culliton. The event will feature a drag performance by Lady Chilane, drag bingo, panel discussion with the cast, and an artisan pizza pop-up. 

DIRTY LOOKS LA AFTER DARK for a late-Saturday-night 18+ program at Corner62, sponsored by Scorpion Lollipop.

The festival will wrap up on Sunday with its GAY AND ALL OVER THE PLACE shorts block featuring festival darlings BLUE SQUARE HEART by dir. William Venus Means and INSIDE THE BEAUTY BUBBLE by dir. Cheryl Bookout  and Cheri Gaulke, the documentary about the legendary local salon. OFF-RAMP, the critically acclaimed feature about Juggalos from dir. Nathan Tape, will precede the festival’s final award show event on Sunday evening. The COYOTE COURAGE AWARD will be presented to special guest VICO ORTIZ (OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH).

INAUGURAL 29 QUEER FILM FESTIVAL IN TWENTYNINE PALMS  SEPTEMBER 20th – 22th, 2024