The Phoenix Film Festival is proud to present these films that spotlight stories by, experiences from, and life as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Riley

Run Time: 95 minutes

Screening Time(s):
Friday, April 5 at 2:30pm
Saturday, April 6 at 4:25pm
Sunday, April 7 at 2:00pm

Directed by: Benjamin Howard

Cast: Jake Holley, Colin McCalla, Connor Storrie, Riley Quinn Scott

Synopsis: The life of a disciplined high school athlete begins to unravel when his queer identity competes against the idea of who he was supposed to be.

Playland

Run Time: 75 minutes

Screening Time(s):
Wednesday, April 10 at 9:00pm
Thursday, April 11 at 10:00am

Directed by: Georden West

Cast: Danielle Cooper, Lady Bunny, Aidan Dick, Constance Cooper, José Lapaz-Rodríguez, Miranda Quinn, Gatekeeper Adrian, Maine Anders, Kelly Mittendorf, Sprat, Mason Caminiti

Synopsis: A raucous work of queer fantasy and history, PLAYLAND conjures a time-bending night in Boston’s oldest and most notorious gay bar.

Days of Happiness (Subtitled)

Run Time: 120 Minutes

Screening Time(s):
Monday, April 8 at 10:00am
Wednesday, April 10 at 10:00am

Directed by: Chloé Robichaud

Cast: Sophie Desmarais, Sylvain Marcel, Nour Belkhiria, Maude Guérin, Vincent Leclerc, Yves Jacques, Rayan Benmoussa, Katherine Levac, Jean-Philippe Baril-Guérard, Ariel Charest, Inès Defossé

Synopsis: Emma, a talented conductor and rising star on the Montreal stage, has a complicated relationship with her father and agent Patrick. She must confront her emotions and decide if she wants to succeed in navigating her career and her romantic relationship with Naëlle, a newly separated cellist and mother of a young boy.

LGBTQIA+ Directed Shorts

Run Time: 80 minutes

Screening Time(s):
Saturday, April 6 at 8:10pm
Sunday, April 7 at 5:10pm
Thursday, April 11 at 8:50pm

Give
Directed by: Kenya Gillespie
Synopsis: A composer attempts to unravel the memories of his relationship with his classical singer ex-boyfriend.

Self-Tape
Directed by: Conway Preston
Synopsis: A self-tape audition for a network procedural sends an actor spiraling into a full-blown existential crisis.

The Last Take
Directed by: Brian Foyster
Synopsis: Facing the end, a movie star from Hollywood’s golden age must reconcile with the only man he ever loved.

My Queerceañera
Directed by: Marcos Nieves
Synopsis: Upon turning fifty years old, Karyna, a transgender immigrant, is determined to fulfill her lifelong dream of celebrating her Quinceañera.

Scraps
Directed by: Ryan Nordin
Synopsis: In rural 2003 Montana, two closeted teen boys navigate skateboarding, harsh small-town judgment, and a summer of unexpected young love.

Summer Qamp

Run Time: 80 minutes

Screening Time(s):
Tuesday, April 9 at 10:10am 
Wednesday, April 10 2:05pm

Directed by: Jen Markowitz

Synopsis: SUMMER QAMP is a documentary following a group of LGBTQ+ youth at an idyllic lakeside camp in Alberta. The campers enjoy the traditional summer camp experience in a safe, affirming environment.

Chuck Chuck Baby

Run Time: 105 minutes

Screening Time(s):
Tuesday, April 9 at 2:30pm
Wednesday, April 10 at 7:05pm

Directed by: Janis Pugh

Cast: Louise Brealey, Annabel Scholey, Sorcha Cusack, Celyn Jones

Synopsis: CHUCK CHUCK BABY is a film of love, loss and music set amongst the falling feathers of a chicken factory. Set in present day industrial North Wales, Helen spends her nights packing chickens and her days caring for a dying mother-figure Gwen. Helen’s world takes an unexpected turn with the return of Joanne. They were the objects of the other’s unspoken teenage passions twenty years ago. One night, encouraged by Helen, Joanne starts a playful wooing game that re-awakens their youthful feelings. As they fall in love and lust, Helen’s zest for life returns but Joanne feels the walls closing in as she faces something much darker from her past. Helen’s world is shattered when Gwen dies and Joanne’s painful memories cause her to flee. Separated and alone, will both women reflect on their unfulfilled chance to break their barriers and allow love to win?

She is Conann (subtitled)

Run Time: 105 minutes

Screening Time(s): 
Tuesday, April 9 at 9:05pm
Thursday, April 11 at 11:50am

Directed by: Bertrand Mandico

Cast: Elina Löwensohn, Christa Theret, Julia Riedler, Claire Duburcq, Sandra Parfait, Agata Buzek, Nathalie Richard, Françoise Brion, Audrey Bonnet, Christophe Bier

Synopsis: Traveling through the abyss, underworld dog Rainer recounts the six lives of Conann, perpetually put to death by her own future, across eras, myths and ages. From her childhood, a slave of Sanja and her barbarian horde, to her accession to the summits of cruelty at the doors of our world.

About 30 (Arturo a los 30) (subtitled)

Run Time: 95 minutes

Screening Time(s): 
Tuesday, April 9 at 4:35pm
Thursday, April 11 at 2:15pm

Directed by: Martín Shanly

Cast: Martin Shanly, Camila Dougall, Esmeralds Escalante, Ezequiel Diaz, Ivo Colonna Olsen, Julia Azcurra, María Soldi, Miel Bargman, Paul Grinszpan

Synopsis: Arturo, who is in a state of arrested development in his life, attends the wedding of his former best friend, where he has to face people and memories from his past.