The latest release of queer short films in the excellent Male Gaze series is Wild Youth, a collection of films from around the world featuring the varied coming-of-age and slightly older experiences of a diverse group of men.

First off, we have Autumn (Otono), a heartfelt Mexican drama about conversion therapy. Based on the real-life experiences of director Luis Pachego, we follow sixteen-year-old Adam (Eduard Valdez) who has been sent to religious, residential conversion therapy by his mother. We feel his loneliness as he is subject to brutal, ineffective treatments, his only solace being a hunky room-mate/mentor.

Next up is Pure Breed (Razze Pure), a romp through the hay at an Italian summer school for young farmers. Danilo (Daniel Mantovani), Gianni (Alessandro Capriati) and Anthia (Martina Troni) are three sexy young twenty-year-old farming students, hanging out together during the final days of their course. Their friendship gradually develops into sexual shenanigans between the three. Matters reach a head at the final night’s party. Sexy, dramatic, Italian.

Then we head to France for Countercurrents (Les contre-courents). We meet Nathan, a shy, lonesome twenty-something medical student who’s spending a summer in Corsica. Whilst staying at a shabby youth hostel, he meets adventurous couple Leana and Felix, who take him under their wing and help him open up, have fun, and explore his sexual identity. This is a cute film that explores confidence and the lack of confidence and the difference between public and private personas.

Hide and Seek follows young Israeli pupil Daniel, who’s at an international school in Mexico. He’s gay and feeling very alone. He has one friend whom he assumes to be also gay. Tensions boil over when Adam acts on his thoughts. This is a beautifully shot, angst-ridden story based on real events.

Finally, we head back to France for Corentin Vouzelaud’s In The Night (Dans la Nuit), my favourite film of the group. A big club night, lots of drugs, a dramatic incident and a sexy post-club chill-out are all realistically portrayed in a weekend night that could be a queer experience in many cities around the world. Wide-eyed, sexy, intense.

There’s a refreshing un-self-consciousness to these short films. They also share a high level of casting and cinematography, with beautiful colour palettes. We’re left wanting to know more about the various characters and have as many questions as answers. The short film format is perfect for our attention-span challenged times, so enjoy them!

Available to stream on Amazon and Payhip