Queerguru’s Editor-In-Chief first arrived in Miami (where he still resides for the winter months) in 1998 which is the same year that OUTshine, Miami’s LGBTQA+ Film Festival, was born.  So he’s been convinced ever since that it was done for him! And here almost 30 years later both are going strong, but now QUEERGURU is also honored to be one of the Fests Official Media Sponsors.

This part of South Florida is known for its rich diversity of all the different people that now call it home and the culture that they share with us all.  However never has that been more crucial than right now, with all the rampant homophobia and racism that shockingly comes from the highest Office in our country.  Coming together to celebrate our community is more important than ever and there is no better way than in the camaradie of OUR festival.

At this point we want to give a shout out to Joe Bilancio the Fests Programming Director who somehow always manages to cleverly curate a mouth-watering selection of movies + Alexis Bosch the Marketing Director who patiently enables QG’s reviewers  access to the films in order for us to publish

QUEERGURU’S TOP PICKS OF MUSY SEE MOVIES…..here’s Part 1

Accidental Friends is one of those old-fashioned Italian gay rom-coms that may not be the latest thing but its one you cannot fail to laugh out loud (and God we really need that right now)  and you will love the life lessons and definitely the feel-good ending  RM 

John Cranko was a brilliant gay controversial South African dancer and choreographer, working in London and Stuttgart during the fifties and sixties.  This feast of a film is both a slice of queer history, and a  fitting tribute to a legendary figure of the dance world plus is an immersive treat not only for ballet lovers.   RM

Joe Stephenson’s MIDAS MAN is the captivating story of Brian Epstein who discovered The Beatles and became their manager and mentor despite the fact he and the Boys came from totally different worlds. Epstein was a closeted gay man who came from a wealthy Jewish family whilst the band members were very working class.  They however had two things in common. They were from Liverpool a major port city in Northen England, and also they shared a passion for music.  RWD

Odd Fish is a  rare queer drama from Iceland and is a very sensitive portrayal of the journey everyone goes on during someone’s gender transition. It’s a tender drama, fused with strength and dry humour. Friobjornsson is excellent as the bull-in-a-china-shop Hjalti. His poor communication skills get him into all sorts of trouble with his loved ones, but ultimately his heart is in the right place.  The film highlights that it’s what we have in common with our friends, family and neighbours that matters, rather than what sets us apart.  RF

 PINK LADY  Is the story of a young family with three young children living a seemingly blissful life in an Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem. Until one day Bati (Nur Fibak) receives some anonymous compromising photographs of her husband Lazer (Uri Blufarb). He is being intimate with another man!  When she challenges Lazar he first tries to pass them off as bad photoshoped images, but then he eventually admits they are geniune and the other man is his study partner,. He also confesses that he is being blackmailed and is struggling to find the demanded ransom to the original pocs.  Filmmaker Bergman’s powerful story is sensitively told as both Bati and Lazar, encouraged by both their mothers, try to align Lazars sexuality with the heavy weight that comes with being part of such a closed religious society.  Take a box of tissues with you when you view …just in case  RWD

Queerpanorama takes a deep dive into the offbeat hook-up experiences of a twenty.-something Hongkonger. Directed by Jun Li and featuring the impressive acting debut of Jayden Chun Based on the real-life sex experiences of Li, and featuring several of his actual previous hook-up partners, and shot in their real homes, we are treated to a snapshot of queer life in Hong Kong.  RF

Get ready for a treat with Rains Over Babel, a glorious queer Afro-Colombian retro-futuristic tropical punk assault on the senses. Director Gala del Sol’s gem is based in and around Babel, a late-night neon-lit dive/cabaret bar in Cali, Colombia, The resulting two hours combine strong casting, great art direction and cinematography, fabulous sets and outfits Colombian latino-style with abundant surreal moments , as the  paths of the local beauties, and others, twist and turn in a manner reminiscent of Dante’s Inferno. – especially those involving the talking salamander, a sex hotel and BDSM clad little people!!!!  RF

SANDBAG DAM a superb coming-of-age drama that was nominated for the prestigious Teddy Award at the Berlinale and is a modest film  that packs a big punch. The affair between the two leading young men  is treated delicately and after the gay floodgates burst open we get to see the true nature of their relationship and the true nature of their families and friends. The screenplay and acting are superb and writer, Tomislav Zajec with director Cejen Cernic accurately present the pressures and prejudices of contemporary village life plus the touching performances of Lav Novosel as Marko and Andrija Zunac as Slaven are pitch perfect. RM

Some Nights I Feel Like Walking is  a queer indie road movie by Filipino director Petersen Vargas, in which he has taken themes of queer chosen family, the Duterte crimes, police/authority oppression, the ending of life, rich versus poor and marginalised living and fashioned an intense, fast-paced film that gives an interesting insight into Filipino life. Shot entirely at night, the cast (chosen from hundreds of applicants) have a strong bond and chemistry. There’s a rawness to the film, with many shots filmed on handheld cameras and involving the public, that gives it an authenticity. The scenes of intimacy also feel real, ranging from the emotionless, transactional ‘no kissing’ escort hook ups, to the tenderness of real love. RF

The Big Johnson is about Dean Johnson underground legend, who deserved to be more famous.  He was a charismatic celebrity and gay activist in the New York club scene of the eighties and nineties. Six foot six tall and with a shaved head, Dean appeared in drag as front man with two queer rock bands, The Weenies and The Velvet Mafia. His drag was unconventional. With his little black dresses, chandelier earrings, big sunglasses and combat boots, he didn’t make much of an effort to look like a woman; his voice only had the slightest camp inflection. Playing with gender in an era of binary identities, he was way ahead of his time. At times a queer activist anf a sex worker . He was 45 when he died. His sister wanted to write “Fuck You” on his tombstone but she settled for: “He gave voice to the voiceless”. RM

for full reviews on over 1800 queer films check out www.queerguru.com and whilst you are there be sure to subscribe to get all the latest raves and rants on queer cinema …best of all its FREE