Currently underway in Chicago is the QUEER EXPRESSIONS Film Fest sponsored by Open Space Arts has four curated programs streaming between April 9 and May 13, including two premieres and 11 new films. QE has an excellent reputation for supporting new young queer filmmakers, something that is very dear to Queerguru’s heart
BEST OF FEST SHORTS April 9 to 22
BEST OF FEST MID-LENGTH FILMS April 16 to 29 BEST OF FEST FEATURE WARM FILM April 23 to May 6 BEST OF FEST FEATURE IT’S ALWAYS BEEN ME April 30 to May 1 |
One of the films is CHERUB an inspired wee gem of feature debut from Canadian filmmaker Devin Shears who made it as part of hos Masters Thesis at University its the story of Harvey (Benjamin Turnbull) as a shy, lonely and overweight man from Toronto who discovers an opportunity to build new confidence in himself and his body when he learns about the chub subculture in the LGBTQ community. Despite being heterosexual,he submits a photograph of himself to a gay chub magazine’s for ‘chubbies and their followers’ and entrrs “Cherub of the Month” contest. BTW its shot almost entirely without dialogue except for two brief lines
Plus look out for PLAID SKIRTS an 8min short from Kat Durek that is about a moment in time when a teenage boy, his younger sister, and his aunt go school uniform shopping one afternoon. The adolescent hormones run high as Mickey steps out of what may be expected of him. His aunt, struggling with her sense of responsibility with the kids, has a tendency to react fast and fiercely, creating more distance. But ultimately, the family bond is too strong, and sibling love reigns supreme with a heartwarming ending that may bring a smile to your face.
FOR THE FULL PROGRAM https://openspacearts.org/film |