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FilmOut San Diego
Thursday, 21 August 2025 until Sunday, 24 August 2025
We are one of the longest-running film festivals in Southern California and the only LGBTQ film festival in the San Diego area. Our festival is well-respected in the film community and often have World and U.S. premieres. People from around the world attend the festival as we offer filmmakers Q&A sessions after most films. Interviews with filmmakers and talent are uploaded to social media platforms for maximum exposure. We also have a fantastic Opening Night gala and Closing Night reception each year.
This year our annual San Diego LGBTQ Film Festival will be a four-day event that includes international, documentary, short and feature films shown in two different locations. As always, we strive to show the newest LGBTQ-themed film selections available.
FilmOut San Diego annually affirms the ongoing integrity and boundless imagination of our community and the artists who tell our stories. We believe our work is part of an ongoing effort to build a vibrant, affirming and sustainable LGBTQ community in San Diego County. We hope you will join us and submit your project!
• Best Narrative Feature
• Best (First) Narrative Feature
• Best International Feature
• Best Documentary
• Best U.S. Short
• Best International Short
• Best Direction
• Best Actor in a Feature Film
• Best Actress in a Feature Film
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Best Screenplay
...plus Festival Awards and Special Programming Awards including:
• Freedom Award
• Outstanding Emerging Talent
• Outstanding Artistic Achievement
The mission of FilmOut San Diego is to enlighten, educate, and entertain San Diego, California and its outlying communities through the exhibition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer-themed films. FilmOut San Diego seeks to recognize, promote, celebrate and support the important diverse artistic contributions LGBTQ filmmakers make to our community.
2025 films...
OPENING NIGHT FILM
Shown with: Mean Goals
Director: Allan Deberton, 93 min, Brazil
After a crisis with his boyfriend Martin, Lucas (Vinícius Teixeira), an architect searching for answers, travels alone to the idyllic beach of Canoa Quebrada in Ceará, Brazil. There, he reconnects with Felipe (Gabriel Fuentes), a former college classmate who now works as a tour guide. Their reunion stirs up long-buried feelings and forces Lucas to face a dilemma: return to his current relationship or give in to a passion from the past. Set against a vibrant backdrop and soundtracked by hits from the ’80s and ’90s, the film is a celebration of love, self-discovery, and the beauty of Brazil’s northeastern coast. California Premiere!
Director: Deepak Rauniyar, 108 min, USA/Nepal/Norway.
When two boys are kidnapped in a border town in Nepal, Detective Inspector Pooja (Asha Magrati) is sent from Kathmandu to solve the case, forcing her to leave her wife and her ailing father behind. But when she arrives to investigate, the brewing political unrest and violent protests throw her off course, and she is forced to seek help from Mamata (Nikita Chandak), a local Madhesi policewoman. By putting aside systemic racial and homophobic discrimination and pushing through everyday misogyny, the women work together to solve the case—but at what personal cost? Inspired by real events which took place in Southern Nepal during the 2015 race protests.
Shown with: Grace
Director: Chase Joynt, 93 min, USA
This powerful documentary follows Sarah McBride’s historic run to become the first openly transgender member of Congress. As she balances activism with the realities of electoral politics, her bittersweet victory—coinciding with Donald Trump’s return—thrusts her into a sharply divided nation and a hostile political environment.
Soon after taking office, Sarah is banned by MAGA Republicans from using Capitol restrooms, igniting national outrage, and underscoring the growing threats to trans rights. Despite attacks and public misgendering, one of which goes viral when she pushes back—Sarah forges ahead with determination. The film leaves her on the doorstep of her new job, facing high-stakes decisions under the pressure of the national spotlight.
Shown with: Perfect Boy Next Door
Director: Alejandro Andrade, 89 min, Mexico/Spain/France
Coming-of-age story that explores toxic masculinity, privilege, and homophobia with emotional depth. Alf (Andres Revo), a student at a strict Catholic school, is drawn to Oliver (Joaquín Emanuel), a charismatic new classmate. As their bond deepens, Alf distances himself from longtime friends. But pressured by peers and societal expectations, he betrays Oliver in a desperate attempt to prove his masculinity—triggering devastating consequences that challenge his sense of identity and values.
Shown with: Parallel Lines
Director: Garrett Abdo, 90 min, USA
Robert (Tuc Watkins), a middle-aged gay man, begins a personal documentary project following his long history of failed relationships. As a professional but emotionally vulnerable individual, Robert decides to interview six (Adam Huss, Joseph Haro, Thomas Dekker, Ray Santiago, Nick Hagelin, Paul Zenas) of his ex-boyfriends, each of whom represents a distinct chapter in his love life. His ultimate goal is to find out why these relationships ended and to use the documentary as a means of personal growth—or so he believes. With the support of his sister Deborah (Summer Rain Menkee), Robert prepares for the emotionally challenging task ahead. With Kiana Dancie.
Shown with: Strangers on a Beach
Director: David Cook, 85 min, Australia
Aspiring boxer Chris (Parker Little) lives in the shadow of his father, Sammy (director David Cook), a former champion still grieving the loss of his wife. Determined to see his son succeed where he could not, Sammy pushes Chris toward the boxing dream he never achieved. But as Chris begins to explore his attraction to Jamie (Tyrel Dulvarie) and finds a sense of belonging among the local theatre community, he starts to question whether his future truly lies in the ring. In this poignant family drama, Cook shines a light on the underrepresentation of queer Indigenous stories in film, crafting a heartfelt narrative about self-discovery, acceptance, and breaking free from the weight of generational expectations.
A compilation of LGBTQ short films.
Sprucilla And The Queen Of The Trees
Director: Chris DiFiore, USA, 8 min
Barē, a plain Halloween tree, dreams of royalty. With help from Sprucilla, a former queen, they embrace their uniqueness and prove that standing out is the key to shining brightly. USA Premiere!
Match Dot Mom
Director: Tara Parian, USA, 13min
Cass, a closeted queer teen, accidentally matches her married mother’s secret dating profile, forcing her to confront her own identity and her mother’s hidden life.
The Last Story On Earth
Director: Aaron Immediato, USA, 17min
During an alien invasion, a drag queen must use storytelling to protect both supporters and protesters trapped in a library—where imagination becomes humanity’s last hope.
Donny & David
Director: Noah Wiseman, USA, 10 min
Two people from different walks of life find companionship on a journey home. World Premiere!
Cowboy Boots
Director: Eric Delehoy, USA, 12min
Jack, a gay cowboy from Nebraska, finds anything but the promised land he envisioned when he visits a San Francisco gay club for the first time.
Happy Birthgay
Director: Niv Manzur, Israel, 16min
Ronit throws her son Nadav a grandiose surprise party, celebrating a year anniversary of his coming out of the closet.
Fish
Director: Ian Yarwood, U.K., 9 min
After coming out as bisexual a little late on, a confident woman is plunged into new experiences. Feeling like she’s losing her virginity again, she slowly discovers who she is.
Stateside
Director: Dennis Shinners, USA, 12 min
A shy American teenager and an outgoing French exchange student form an unexpected intimate connection on Halloween night. West Coast Premiere!
Dragfox
Director: Lisa Ott, Switzerland/U.K., 8 min
Sam’s quest for identity is interrupted by a mysterious fox, leading them on a magical attic journey to discover shared truths and celebrate their unique differences together.
Shown with: Commitment To Courage: Ashley Christman Story
Director: Soraya Simi, 82 min, USA
Fueled by relentless ambition, Angela Madsen shattered expectations to become a U.S. Marine, a three-time Paralympian, and a 14-time Guinness World Record holder. At 60, she set her sights on her most audacious goal yet: to be the first paraplegic—and the oldest woman—to row solo and unassisted across the vast Pacific Ocean. In 2020, Angela embarked on her final voyage, rowing from Los Angeles to Hawaii in a bold attempt to redefine the limits of human endurance. At the heart of her journey was not only extraordinary courage but also the profound love she shared with her wife, Deb. Though separated by an ocean, their unwavering connection turned the expedition into a powerful testament to resilience, devotion, and the pursuit of impossible dreams—regardless of the cost.
Shown with: Crystalline
Director: Michael Clowater, 100 minutes, Canada
A tragi-comedy about brotherhood, forgiveness, and overcoming deep divides. Set in the winter of 1970, stoic plumber Weldon (Charlie Creed-Miles) is sent by his mother to retrieve his estranged, openly gay brother Perley (Alan Cumming) from a Toronto jail, where he’s been arrested for “public indecency.” Reluctantly, Weldon sets out in a borrowed pickup, but the 1,000-mile journey becomes more than a simple drive home. Along snowy roads and through charged silences, the brothers confront buried wounds, small-town prejudices, and each other.
Shown with: Just Between Us
Director: Liam Calvert, 97 min, U.K.
In this charming feature debut from Liam Calvert, two seemingly mismatched men cross paths on a chilly December night in London. Alexander Lincoln (In from the Side) and Jack Brett Anderson (Wolfblood) shine as Oliver, a brash British entrepreneur, and Lukas, a struggling German actor. After an awkward pub encounter, the two decide to spend the night together—barhopping, soul-searching, and confronting uncomfortable truths. What begins as a chance meeting becomes a night of unexpected connection and self-discovery.
Shown with: The Orchestra
Director: Carmen Emmi, 95 min, USA/U.K.
In Carmen Emmi’s ’90s-set erotic drama, Tom Blyth plays a closeted undercover cop tasked with entrapping men cruising in shopping mall bathrooms. But when he crosses paths with a married man (Russell Tovey), a routine sting spirals into something far more complicated. A charged encounter ignites a dangerous attraction, turning the operation into a volatile dance of secrecy and desire, where the lines between duty and longing, watcher and watched, begin to blur. Raised in the shadow of his grandfather’s badge and working within a deeply homophobic police department, Lucas begins to unravel under the weight of conflicted loyalties and repressed identity.
Who Wants To Marry An Astronaut?
Shown with: Polanco
Director: David Matamoros, 94 min, Argentina
After 15 years together, David (Raúl Tejón) is ready to marry his partner. He plans the perfect Route 66 road trip, ending with a wedding in Las Vegas. But when he proposes, he’s publicly rejected. Undeterred, David is determined to experience the joy of a wedding—giving himself just 10 days to find someone new to say “yes.” Who Wants to Marry an Astronaut? is a vibrant road movie infused with the charm of modern romantic comedies, bursting with optimism, music, dancing, delicious food, and the hope of a happy ending.
Streets of Gloria (Ruas Da Gloria)
Shown with: Do Us Part
Director: Felipe Sholl, 103 min, Brazil
Gabriel (Caio Macedo), a young literature teacher, relocates to Rio de Janeiro and discovers The Glória—a pulsating bar and secret haven for the city’s outsiders. There, he meets Adriano (Alejandro Claveaux), a magnetic male escort, and their electrifying connection pulls Gabriel into a world of passion and self-discovery. But when Adriano suddenly disappears, Gabriel’s search for answers takes an unexpected turn, leading him to step into Adriano’s world as an escort himself. As he delves deeper, he begins to confront societal expectations, personal boundaries, and the many faces of desire. California Premiere!
Shown with: Demonboy
Director: Mathias Broe, 103 min, Denmark.
Fresh from Sundance! Amid the vibrant nightlife of Copenhagen, young Johan (Magnus Juhl Andersen) explores his emerging sexuality while working at a popular bathhouse and seeking out hookups through dating apps. When one of his online connections turns out to be a trans man named William (Nina Rask), Johan is initially uncertain—but quickly drawn in by William’s disarming charm. What begins as a fleeting encounter soon deepens into a passionate affair, pulling Johan into a new and unfamiliar world. As he meets William’s trans friends and witnesses their daily fight for access to hormones and gender-affirming surgery, Johan is also forced to confront the unspoken prejudices and rigid norms that persist within the gay community. In the process, he must ask himself what kind of ally—and what kind of man—he genuinely wants to be.
August 24, 2025
Shown with: Fireflies In The Dusk
Director: Darren Thornton, 89min, Ireland
When Edward’s close-knit group of gay friends suddenly dashes off to a destination Pride event, they leave their elderly mothers in his care. In this bawdy yet heartwarming tale of mothers and sons. Edward, a gay novelist, must juggle self-care with caregiving for his non-verbal mother. Played by James McArdle (Mare of Easttown, Ammonite), Edward is the author of a gay young adult novel that becomes an unexpected hit overseas, years after its release in Ireland. But behind the success, he’s been the sole caregiver for his demanding mother Alma, portrayed by the legendary Fionnula Flanagan — a role that’s left him lonely and overwhelmed. As Edward tries to manage his rising career while looking after Alma and three other eccentric mothers — cooking meals, managing bedtime, even going to see a psychic — he’s forced to confront his own neglected emotional needs.
Shown with: Ampersand
Director: Lucas Santa Ana, 91 min, Argentina/U.K./Germany
This Argentinian romantic comedy begins with what seems like a perfect couple—Tom (Gastón Frías) and Jero (Cristian Mariani). But on their anniversary, Tom leaves Jero with nothing but a breakup letter—and 299 more written throughout their relationship. As Jero reads the letters, he’s forced to relive their romance, from a steamy Grindr hookup to an unlikely love between a CrossFit jock and a queer performance artist. Now, he must confront a painful question: was it real love—or part of Tom’s ethically questionable art?
CLOSING NIGHT FILM
Shown with: Goodnight Ladies
Director: James Sweeney, 100 min, USA
Fresh from Sundance! Twinless blends humor and poignancy as it explores the complexities of male friendship and the unique grief of losing a twin. The story follows Roman (Dylan O’Brien, in a career-best dual role), who, reeling from the death of his twin brother Rocky, moves into Rocky’s Portland apartment and joins a support group for twin loss. There, he meets Dennis (James Sweeney), a shy, gay man mourning his own twin. As their bond deepens, the two form an emotionally intense and unconventional friendship that challenges traditional boundaries and delves into identity, connection, and healing. With Aisling Franciosi & Lauren Graham.