Love and Distance : how queer filmmakers see the Covid 19 Lockdown

We take our hats off to DEKKOO the leading Queer Subscription Service for not only creating a Short Film Challenge but also being generous with donating $10,000 in Cash Prizes.  It not only eases some of the hardships caused by the pandemic, but it inspired such wonderful creativity with its Love and Distance competition.

Now the crop of excellent winning films  are up on the DEKKOO site, and after watching them all here are Queerguru’s own particular favorites 

Starring Adam Redmore and Tim Lewis this story by UK based Italian filmmaker De Luca is the tale of new love that has been suddenly stopped in its tracks by COVID 19 mandatory lockdown.  Can it survive the separation?  Watch and find out

https://www.dekkoo.com/two-meters-apart

American queer filmmaker James Patrick Nelson wrote/directed/starred in his winning short film WITHOUT TOUCH. It’s a wordless story about one of the biggest losses that people who are self-isolating feel.  Beautifully filmed this is the most erotic film in the group, and if you saw Nelson star in the comedy film Love in Kilnerry last year, then you’ll know he is no stranger to stripping off for the camera.

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https://www.dekkoo.com/the-love-distance-short-film-challenge-1/videos/withouttouch-jamespatricknelson

 

We roared with laughter watching  American queer filmmaker Colin Sheehan’s brilliantly funny ‘What to Expect When You Are Expecting’.  For all gay men it’s one of those ‘been there’  situations when we fall in and out of love with a complete stranger in the space of 5 mins. We know that has probably been happening all over the place during the COVID 19 Lockdown BUT will they all end up as happy as this one?

 

https://www.dekkoo.com/the-love-distance-short-film-challenge-1/videos/whattoexpectwhenyoureexpecting-colinsheehan

I Miss You, I Miss London got an honorable mention in the Competition but Queerguru’s ex-Brit Editor loved it so much, he would have made it a winner.  With Words/Art/Music by the talented Jess Darnell an American who used to live in London, his evocative wee film reminds you that it is not just people who miss in this Lockdown but also places and the wonderful memories associated with them.

https://www.dekkoo.com/the-love-distance-short-film-challenge-1/videos/imissyouimisslondon-jessdarnell

 

All these queer shorts and more can be viewed on Dekkoo which is available internationally via iTunes, Google Play, Xbox, AppleTV, Xfinity X1 and Roku.  In the U.S. and U.K., Dekkoo is also available via Prime Channels.