Calling ALL queer romantics: has NEWFEST got something for you! They are producing an excellent retrospective with some cult rom-coms and a few rare gems that you haven’t seen yet. So if you are looking for that happy-ever-after tale that will have you sobbing into your kleenex or just a night of love and laughter without the need for Grindr, then this is for you.
The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love Maria Maggenti’s adventurous love story between two young women of different social and economic backgrounds who find themselves going through all the typical struggles of a new romance.
The Broken Hearts Club. From Greg Berlanti comes this 2000 award-winning gem about a clique of young gay men in LA that makes for such a cute rom-com you may want to see more than once
PUNKS This debut feature from Patrik-Ian Polk (who would go on to make Noahs’ Ark) is the tale of 4 gay African-American friends in L.A: shy, virginal photographer, Marcus, outgoing Lothario Hill, hot-to-trot rich kid newbie Dante, and fabulous drag diva Crystal.
LATE BLOOMERS: From Julia Dyer and Gretchen Dyer comes this 1996 story about a High School basketball coach, Dinah Groshardt, who falls for the school secretary, Carly Lumpkin, and upsets the entire school in the process.
BIG EDEN One of Queerguru’s favorite rom-com of all time, ‘s Big Eden tells a truly original tale of a thirty-something gay guy, Henry Hart (Arye Gross,) who returns to his childhood Montana home to confront his unrequited passion for his high school best friend.
Plus there is a Panel with critics and filmmakers about a genre all too absent from trans cinema: rom-coms. WHERE ARE ALL THE TRANS ROM-COMS? Panelists will discuss the few films that do exist, what’s upcoming, and why we need so much more. What message does it send when this genre of romance, humor, and fantasy is kept from an entire group of people? It’s time for trans people to kiss in the rain and run through the airport. It’s time for trans people to tell our love stories.
All films (excluding PUNKS) are available virtually April 28 at 12 AM through May 2 at 11:59 PM EST.
Streaming anywhere in the United States. https://newfest.org/qtc-romantic-comedies/