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TLVFest
Thursday, 23 October 2025 until Saturday, 01 November 2025
The 20th TLVFest - Tel Aviv International LGBTQ+ Film Festival is right around the corner and will take place on October 23rd - November 1st 2025.
We are opening submissions for the festival at a complex time when winds of hatred and war are blowing around us.
As a film festival, we strive to place focus on movies that promote love, peace and tolerance through the art of cinema.
We aim to provide a stage for LGBTQ+ movies with different perspectives and cultural backgrounds.
We believe that the power of cinema can change the mind and create empathy, awareness and understanding.
Our festival is, and will always be, in favour of peace and a solution between two sane and healthy democratic countries.
We are concerned to see that anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim resentment, anti-democratic currents, and hate speech are spreading in our country and all over the world. As a cultural institution, we take a firm stand against all forms of discrimination, hate speech and prejudice.
We look forward to watching your submissions, to build a unique, colorful and boundary-breaking LGBTQ+ Film Festival program.
Official Competition – International Narrative
Official Competition – International Documentary
Official Competition - Israeli Short Films - 1000 $
Official Competition - International Short Films
Israeli Short Script Competition - 140,000 ₪
2025 films...
Narrative Competition Thesis on a Domestication
A successful transgender actress (Camila Sosa Villada), known for her promiscuous and wild lifestyle, which defies every expectation set for her by her friends and the conservative Argentinian society, surprises her friends when she decides to settle down and start a family with a new husband (Alfonso Herrera “Sens8”, “Ozark”), will she be able to navigate between the mis-matched worlds she lives in? Moving between the wild nightlife she blossomed in, as a successful theatre actress in a demanding cultural world and the seemingly normal family life.
Director Javier van de Couter’s film (“Mía”- 2013 TLVFest closing film starring Camila Sosa Villada as well) is a steamy adaptation to a novel by the same name written by Camila Sosa Villada. This is a brave cinematic piece that gives us a strong and complex transgender heroine that is navigating between sexual fantasies, complicated personal history, social expectations and the want to create a family unit she never had. Can she have everything or will she have to give up some things in order to have the bourgeois family dream?
This film is limited to 18 years old and above due to explicit sex scenes.
Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day
“Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day” – Croatia’s official nomination for Best Foreign Film in the 2025 Academy Awards, is an historical epic and an ode to love, loyalty and the power of friendship and art.
The film that spans over decades, follows lovers Lovro and Nenad and their long-time friendship with Steven and Ivan, all of them were part of a gay group turned filmmakers while navigating their lives through communist, post-war Yugoslavia.
The film studio they run gains world fame, but they are forced to compromise their arts and beliefs to produce propaganda for the communist regime. The more success they gain the more the fascism of the government seeps into their studio and they suddenly find their lives in danger despite being Nazi fighting heroes.
“Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day” is a luscious, intimate and politically charged cinema and the result is a heartbreaking piece on resistance. This is a film that is crying against oppression, against silencing and for the freedom to live, love and create art without fear.
Talented filmmaker and director Ivona Juka says this film was inspired by a relative of hers that was forced to hide his sexual identity for most of his adult life (homosexuality was still a crime in Croatia up until the 90’s).
The third millenia had barely started and 17 years old red haired Kien returned to his family and their little market stall in the Czech Republic after a decade growing up with his grandmother in Vietnam. Instead of the warm welcome he expects he finds a distant father, a worried mother and a clingy little brother.
“Summer school 2001” may be told in a light tone but it is a complex and multi-layered film on the differences between generations and cultural identity. This is an authentic piece telling a coming-of-age story of a young man who feels a stranger in the community he belongs to in a foreign country.
Director and screenwriter Dužan Duong’s debut film brings Kien’s story in a very moving and unique way and gives its audience a new and intriguing voice you will want to follow.
Some men are just dogs! Juan happens to find one in the wild while on a nice vacation with his girlfriend and another couple of friends. He adopts him, bathes him, feeds him, plays with him and gives him plenty of love and affection, even though his girlfriend warns him not to get too attached.
Argentinian provocative director Marco Berger (“The Astronaut’s Lover”, “Los Agitadores”) who’s films we frequently screen at the TLVFest, comes back with an absurd and daring homo-erotic tale on the human need to connect to a living creature and when that connection becomes a primal basic animal instinct. The result is thought provoking about controlling relationships even in our daily lives.
Babel is a legendary nightclub that is an oasis to anyone who is queer, freak and different in town. La Flaca is Death herself that resides in the club, and she plays with the lost souls that gamble with her through the years. Will they be able to win against death herself?
Director Gala Del Sol’s first full length feature is an intoxicating fusion of alternative tropic dream and modern-day Columbia. Del Sol creates a hypnotic and fantastic world where life and death clash and destinies are rolled with dice. The sexiest of casts is portraying sparkling characters that takes us to a journey full of life which is all wild subversion where each and every one of them fights their own demons and it’s all happening in a retro-punk-futuristic-colorful style full of passion.
“Rains Over Babel” is an ode to the resilience of queer characters from the fringes of society that are fighting for one thing- to be themselves without fear.
The result is sexy, sparkly, daring and ambitious cinema that promises an unforgettable experience.
The Shakespearean tragedy “Richard III” in a queer, daring and contemporary adaptation. A monumental cinematic experience that meant for the big screen and will leave breathless throughout.
Two noble houses, the Arab families York and Lancaster, bring to the courthouse the war that was raging in the streets of Berlin for decades. The York youngest daughter, Rashida, is a lawyer who ends the long-time gang war in a bloody attack on the heads of the Lancaster family. Finally – some peace!
But as a woman, Rashida is only a pawn in the men’s world. As soon as the dust settles on the battlefield, she is destined to follow her traditional family norms and could never take the top spot in the pyramid. Rashida has no intention to bow to the men in her family- she intends to rule. To claim her place she must plot, seduce enemies and kill lovers. Rashida is played by rising actress Kenda Hmeidan and she gives the role a lesbian twist, and many more layers that do not appear in the original play with a touch of Mediterranean history of violence and war. Rashida’s scarred and wounded soul rises from the ashes and dust into a goddess of revenge. Hiam Abbass (“Succession”, “The Old Man” opposite Jeff Bridges, Eran Riklis’ films: “The Syrian Bride” and “Lemon Tree”) plays Rashida’s devoted right hand.
A love triangle goes out of control in Taiwanese director Julian Chou’s second film. Shu-Yin is a mother that quietly runs her family- a husband who’s a respectable surgeon and her rebellious teenage son who refuses to follow his father’s footsteps. An encounter with Shu-Jin, an amateur photographer and an ophthalmologist, will awaken memories, longing and desires she had been suppressing for a long time.
While Shu-Yin is dealing with her old desires, her son Han discovers completely new desires and passions. He accidentally meets Shu-Jin and falls for the charismatic woman who gives him new energy for life.
Director Julian Chou created a melodrama that delves into the fragile bonds that define family dynamics. She explores identity, longing and exposes the tension between the traditional family cell and the westernization of Taiwan.
“Blind love” navigates gently between queerness, gender and cultural expectations.
Documentary Competition
In the heart of the horrible war in Ukraine, three drag queens- Diva Monroe, Marlene and Aura refuse to abandon their homeland. Instead of running away to safety they choose to fight- for freedom, the LGBTQ community and for themselves.
From the glamour of the show to the cruelty of war, the film follows their lives- full of loss and fear but also unvanquished bravery.
Marlene is dealing with old wounds, Diva Monroe finds herself again and Aura is fighting for her place, both in the army and on stage. The charity drag show they organise for support of Ukraine becomes a symbol of unity and strength.
This film is a story of self-discovery, love, hope and the strength to find happiness in the darkest times.
Velvet Vision – The Story of James Bidgood
“Velvet Vision” is the story of director/photographer James Bidgood, whose beautiful 60’s beefcake photos were different from all the others. They depicted homo-erotic fantasy scenarios dipped in vibrant colors, and pushed the boundaries of the genre. His film “Pink Narcissus” who he had worked on for many years came out in 1971 without a credit for his maker after Bidgood quarreled with the producers. The film became a cult phenomenon when people were positive it was either Keneth Anger or Andy Warhol who were behind it. It was revealed almost twenty years later that the one behind the film was one of the most influential photographers of the time.
“Velvet Vision” follows Bidgood’s attempt to go back to photography after a forty year break, this time for fashion designer Christian Louboutin. In front of filmmaker Bart Everly, Bidgood reveals all about his past as a window dresser, a drag artist and a costume designer. This is a film about social ostracism or about a man who chose to be an outcast and be lonely even if he doesn’t really want to, it’s a film about the fine line between genius and madness, fantasy versus reality.
“Velvet Vision” is a complex piece that explores the inner and outer world of a brilliant artist whose one-of-a-kind art still influences generations of filmmakers, fashion designers and photographers.
While the rights of the LGBTQ community are being attacked worldwide, this moving Canadian documentary emphasizes how one community fought and won. 2025 marks the 20 th anniversary of the Canadian marriage equality law, something that was made possible due to the supreme court ruling on the Vriend case. The film also emphasizes how important a free and unbiased court is.
Delwin Vriend never wanted to become a human rights activist or a LGBTQ activist, he just wanted to live his life in peace. When he objected to the fact that his academic work of place let him go due to his sexual orientation, he began a chain reaction that affected the lives of LGBTQ people not only in Alberta or Canada- but worldwide.
“Pride vs Prejudice” delves into the backstage happenings of one of the most important trials in LGBTQ history- Veriend vs. Alberta. For a fascinating 80 minutes the film describes the ups and downs and twists that led to the trial.
This documentary follows the work of the dedicated lawyers who led the trail against the province of Alberta and eventually led to a groundbreaking verdict of the Canadian supreme court in 1998.
Set against the backdrop of the magnificent Alps “My boyfriend El Fascista” tells the true story of Matthias, a left-wing film director and his partner Sadiel, a Cuban immigrant, an idealistic social activist with endless energy to fight the fascist communist regime in his homeland of Cuba.
Sadiel is facing the disappointment that his home country refuses to embrace democratic values and that the left-wing parties of Italy support the communist regime in Cuba. As a result, he has an ideological shift towards right-wing beliefs, which causes a rift between him and Matthias, since Matthias tries to stay loyal to his progressive values.
Through the lens of Matthias’ camera, an intimate portrait is created that captures the relationship between the two partners and the way political views can affect personal relationships and sexual ones.
The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival
Tamara De Lempicka was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century- a mother, a feminist, a style icon and a proud bisexual woman who celebrated her sexuality. Lempicka fled the war and became a symbol because of her artistic view. She embodied the spirit of Art Deco and painted high society women from a feminine perspective, erotic and daring and full of passion. Encouraged by her grandmother, young Tamara was discovered as a shining talent when she combined cubism, classicism and surrealism in order to reinvent the female form- not as a sexual object, but as a heroine.
In her fascinating documentary, director Julie Rubio dives into the colorful biography of De Lempicka and uncovers her unusual life with never before seen home movies. The result is a thrilling movie about a fascinating artist and woman.
Nicolas is a divorced Argentinian baker who lives with his three children in a small Bolivian town in the heart of the wild surrounded by forests, waterfalls and lakes.
This ideal environment is clashing with the burden of life and the responsibility of raising children, earning money and the physical and emotional need to be who you are in a community that might not accept you.
Filmmaker Pablo Terrazas documents Nicolas’ life until the moment he decides the reveal a deep secret and start a journey of self-healing and discovery.
Panorama
Agnes’ life revolves around Badminton games with her gay co-workers and working at the restaurant she opened in her home with her best friend Rini. One day her younger brother Indra shows up, looking for his long lost brother Hans. Agnes is facing a hard dilemma- should she tell the truth about who she is or should she continue to hide? The truth might give her a chance to reconcile with a brother she hasn’t seen in decades but it seems this reconciliation is harder to reach than she imagined.
Agnes is reflecting and reliving her memories in a film that combines documentary and fictional cinema and even a little bit of a musical and the result is a gentle, humble and very touching film.
Alf, a student in a conservative Catholic school that is home to Mexico’s elite social echelon is attracted to Oliver, a new student- a talented musician who plays at church.
As their relationship deepens, Alf is pulling away from his old friends, but under the pressure of his fellow students and social expectations he betrays Oliver in a desperate attempt to prove his manhood- resulting in a catastrophic outcome that challenges his sense of self and his values.
“Fine Young Men” is a chilling thriller about homophobia, class differences and the destructive price of self-hatred.
Saigon, the 90s. San is a sex worker at a night club trying to save enough money for gender affirming surgery in order to achieve her dream of living in a woman’s body. San’s lover, Nam, works as a wrestler in an violent and bloody underground wrestling ring, fighting caged matches to help his lover’s dream come true.
Their young and fiery romance will stand in question as dark forces penetrate their intimate world, which the two lovers will need to deal with as all chances are against them. This conflict could be both catastrophic for their relationship, and also tests the limits of their humanity. “Skin of Youth” is the first Vietnamese film starring a transgender actress in the leading role. Be noted that this film is only permitted for viewers over the age of 18 due to explicit sexual scenes.
Marko lives in a Croatian village with his parents and beloved little brother Fico. Despite being a gifted athlete Marko plans to follow his father’s plan and become a mechanic after he graduates high school.
Two events upset the balance of Marko’s life- his village is being threatened by floods and Selvan, his first and forbidden love, comes back home for his funeral.
The closer the floods come to the village, Marko’s emotional turmoil grows. While the villagers are working tirelessly to build walls of sandbags around their homes, Marko is building his own wall- one intended to keep his emotions at check. But just like water, emotions have a way of bursting through all obstacles.
In need of a queer and romantic treat? “Tell Me That You Love Me” by director Kim-Jho Gwang-Soo is exactly what the doctor prescribed and much more.
Kyung-Il meets Kyung-Ho while buying a used camera from him, but Kyung-Ho is still attached to it and hesitant to let the camera go. After a short negotiation Kyung-Il leaves with the camera.
Even though neither wants to see the other again and believe this was the last they saw each other, destiny had other plans. They meet again at a fortune teller and a queer basketball team. The repeated encounters cause them to develop feelings for each other, but will the secrets they both hide will stand in their way to love?
Two teenage girls live together in the frenzied and colorful town of Changsha in China. When one of them gets attached to a drug dealer, the other girl’s love for her will cause her to risk everything to keep her loved one beside her.
The film is based on a real life experience of director and film star Lilly Hu.
“1 Girl Infinite” is a live portrait of current youth and the nature of puppy love, obsession and lust. Hu’s hometown of Changsha, with its beauty parlors, internet cafes, shopping centers and hotels is a character all on its own. It is a bustling city with something interesting happening in every corner.
Inside all this hubbub is an intimate and personal creation that is well made and gives us very impressive performances of both its heroines.
15 years old Benedetta lives in rural Italy with her parents and two younger sisters. After work her father enjoys his hobby of fixing old cars while her mother is taking her frustration out on Benedetta. When a travelling fair comes to town Benedetta meets Amanda, who lives an independent life and defies gender norms. Benedetta is immediately drawn to the older Amanda’s self confidence and her independence. The two hardly speak, their tentative friendship is not propelled by big emotions but by mutual affection, curiosity and recognizing each other’s differences.
Director Chiara Bellosi describes her heroines in the small, quiet moments and defines them in a poetic accuracy that is rare in teenage films.
“Calcinculo” gently explores an unusual friendship story while revealing a tale of self discovery and liberation.
In early 20th century England, a young writer named Owen James is hospitalized in a mental institute for his sexual orientation. He shares his story with a sympathetic nurse; of the love he shared with a handsome doctor that became convinced their ‘condition’ could be cured. Director and screenwriter’s Will Seefried romantic debut film sheds light on a dark and mostly unknown period of LGBTQ history.
The film “Lilies Not For Me” has the classic production qualities of Merchen Ivory, so if you loved films such as “Maurice”, “A Room with a View” or “Call Me by Your Name”- this is the film for you.
Irish actor Fionn O’shea who had already portrayed several gay characters in films such as “Dating Amber” and “Handsome Devil” is fantastic in the main role. Also starring Robert Aramayo (“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”), Erin Kellyman (“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”) and Jodi Balfour (“Ted Lasso”).
Since her first time in Oz 125 years ago in Frank L. Baum’s classic “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” Dorothy Gale was in numerous films, TV shows, theatrical productions and has become an icon in American culture. Her legacy lives on to this day.
The film “It’s Dorothy!” is a moving documentary experience that expertly weaves the story of Dorothy’s journey to Oz with those who had played the iconic character- from Judy Garland to Diana Ross and more.
Jeffrey McHale, who had already proved his worth as a documentarist in the film “You Don’t Nomi” on the cult film “Showgirls” created a documentary that manages to provoke thoughts and bring to light new insights on Dorothy’s immortal character. He digs deep into archives and tells the story of how Dorothy became such a lighthouse of optimism, empowerment and hope. The film, naturally, addresses the question as to why Dorothy’s journey and character became a symbol of the LGBTQ community.
Guilio and Alessio are two gay men in their twenties who meet in Rome during a scorching August. Despite being different, they are attracted to each other. Alessio is in Rome for one weekend only. This short lived relationship will expose ancient wounds and will force the two to deal with unexpected tenderness and the blooming of an unfamiliar emotion- love.
“A True Story” is a wonderful Italian sweet on love in a digital age where everything is being uploaded to social networks and how this will affect the love stories of people of Gen Z.
Director Tim Lienhard comes from a Catholic background, growing up in southern Germany. It was quite later in life that he had found his calling and became a provocative Drag persona and performer. At the age of 64 he mostly celebrates life with men decades younger than him. His journey goes from Berlin through the Torremolinos Porn Festival and the Pride week of beautiful Gran Canaria. In Costa Del Sol Lienhard meets OnlyFans content creators, party goers who came from all over the world to experience the freedom they cannot at home, and also people his own age who tell him their past and present adventures.
Identity, sexuality, growing old and self esteem are the main motives of this daring and exabitionist documentary film. Tim Lienhard manages to leave an impression with his shameless openness and is the inspiration for sexual freedom in this time of conservatism and regression.
Some Nights I Feel Like Walking
Many boys escape their villages and conservative small towns to the big city Manilla in search of a better life, but this city isn’t really waiting for innocent young men and many of them find themselves making a living as sex workers.
When one of them dies, his friends decide to fulfill his last wish – to go back home.
Director and screenwriter Petersen Vargas manages to recreate those youngsters’ experiences, the loneliness of the big city, the danger in sexual encounters with violent clients, the need to belong and the brotherhood forged in misery.
The cast is young and excellent, the cinematography is breathtaking, the music is sweeping and the ability of the director to fully relate with those boys makes “Some Nights I Feel Like Walking” to a powerful and unforgettable cinematic experience.
Set against the breathtaking scenery of frozen Iceland, and some mouth watering dishes, this is where we find this gentle and heartwarming comedic drama. Two childhood friends get a chance to leave their restaurant open all year round. When one of them comes out as a transgender woman, their long standing friendship is put to the test, and unveils new perspectives on life and identity.
“Odd Fish” is the first Icelanding film to star a transgender actress, Arna Magnea Danks.
Bring the whole family along to watch this humble, funny and moving film.
Winner of ‘Golden Camera’ Leonor Serraille’s third film (“Jeune femme” “Mother and Son”) brings us an authentic and intimate portrait of a lost young man. Ari is an elementary school teacher who suffers a nervous breakdown in the middle of class. His father kicks him out of the house being fed up with his son’s lack of direction, who at 30 years old still refuses to take life seriously and he wants his son to take responsibility for once in his life.
Ari finds himself wandering the streets of Lille, trying to make connections with old friends, exes and strangers. Through his journey, bisexual Ari will discover he’s not the only one who feels loneliness and alienation in the modern world.
Director Leonor Serraille manages through actor Andranic Manet to turn Ari into a vulnerable yet relatable character, despite his many flaws. A character that is slowly letting go of its fear and for the first time is ready to face reality. This is a small and moving film.
A young soldier, Karun from southern India, is dispatched to a remote village in Kashmir, northern India. One night, a young Kashmiri man appears at a checkpoint with a jaw-dropping smile. This marks the beginning of a romance between Karun and Faheem, one which is condemned to failure from the start.
One man cannot be open regarding his identity due to homosexuality being regarded as a taboo for religious reasons, and the man he loves cannot be open about his identity due to his profession.
“We Are Faheem & Karun” is the first LGBT film in the Kashmiri language. It is also based on a true story and was filmed in secret on the border between India and Pakistan, without approval from the army.
If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart into Your Mouth and Smile
Winner of the Teddy Jury award in the 2025 Berlin Festival, “If you are afraid, you put your heart into your mouth and smile” describes a small and realistic moment in a current adolescent story in a beautiful and touching way. Anna (Siena Popovic) is a 12-year-old girl living with her deaf single mother Isolda (Mariya Menner) in Vienna.
When Anna begins her school year in a new school, she is ashamed of the way her world is different from her wealthy classmates. However, the more Anna’s relationships deepen, and her struggles become more complicated, she learns to use her voice.
The film describes, in touching gentleness, the relationship between Anna and her mother through a refreshing female queer lens. The film is housing a myriad of queer characters and actors including Daniel Sea (“The L Word”).
This is a very touching debut film by director Marie Luise Lehner on first innocent love.
Darklands: Are you ready to go deep?
Every year thousands of visitors pilgrim to Antwerp for the world’s biggest Fetish Festival. Through the eyes of Jeroen and his straight sister Nathalie, the masterminds behind the festival “Darklands” offers an unprecedented look on the journey that challenges the conservative social taboo and leaves the audience with dropped jaws.
The film handles delicate subjects in a tender but unrelenting way such as sexual identity and fetishism. Director Roland Javornik manages to crack the seductive magic behind the annual festival.
A jaunty and surprising Argentinian romantic comedy is telling the love story of Tom and Jero in reverse.
On the face of it, an ideal gay couple- they meet on Grindr for a hot hook-up, despite their clashing personalities: Jero is a crossfit athlete and Tom is a queer expressive performance artist. They are drawn to each other through sizzling sexual chemistry and become a couple. A surprise awaits Jero when Tom gives him an unusual anniversary gift- a break up letter.
With the letter comes a box with 299 other letters that tells their story from Tom’s point of view, which leaves Jero completely broken- will he be able to come back from this?
Cristian Mariani is charming as Jero who just wants to find love but ignores every red flag on the way.
Lucas Santa Ana wrote and directed a comedy on the desperate wish to find love in the modern age. He does it with humor, wisdom of life and a very charismatic and talented cast.
Seweryn, a 30 years old bisexual musician, is on the brink of making all his dreams come true- he’s about to sign a contract with a small record label. His life take an unexpected turn when he becomes a victim of rape by Michael, a powerful businessman.
At first Seweryn doesn’t remember what happened, but then his body begins to send distress signals and he loses his most valuable asset- his voice. In order to get his voice back Seweryn must deal with a buried childhood trauma, back to his family roots in Poland.
“Unspoken” is a film about hope, the power of love and mental sturdiness. This is a film about discovering light in the darkest moments and building life again with stronger foundations.
After a divorce and a layoff from a prestigious job, 52-year-old Nicole’s life is far from what she imagined. She moves from a bourgeois neighborhood to a poor immigrant housing estate in the far suburbs of Paris and the only light in her life is her 19-year-old son, Serge, but he is fed up with his needy mother whom he can no longer tolerate. Nicole’s situation worsens when her checkbook and credit card are canceled. A meeting with Nora, the owner of the local bar, finally provides Nicole with some comfort. But can Serge cope with the change his mother is going through?
Gala
Lucas is a young police officer whose main job is to haunt known gay cruising sites and arrest whoever he catches red-handed.
When he comes across Andrew, an older man who falls into Lucas’ trap, an unexplained feeling is stopping him from arresting Andrew and Lucas finds himself dealing with feelings he is used to bury.
The two embark on a secret relationship, a series of intimate and emotional meetings will lead them to a boiling point.
Director Carmen Emmi’s debut film, which won the Ensemble award of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival is a thrilling, smart and moving drama starring Russell Tovey and rising star Tom Blyth in an impressive role.
After a crisis with his partner, Lucas (Vinícius Teixeira) goes alone to the quiet beach of Canoa Quebrada in Brazil, where he reconnects with Felipe (Gabriel Fuentes) , an old classmate who works as a tour guide. Their reunion brings to the surface feelings that were buried deep and forces Lucas to face a dilema- go back to his current relationship or surrender to an old passion?
Set against the gorgeous backdrop of the beach, and a soundtrack laced with hits of the 80’s and 90’s, this film is a celebration of love, self discovery and the beauty of the north-east coast of Brazil.
Sally Ride was the first American woman who went to space, but under the amazing career she kept a secret. Sally had a romantic relationship with a woman for 27 years.
For the first time Tam O’Shaughnessy, Sally’s partner, reveals their secret affair and the price they had to pay so that Sally could fulfill her career.
Director Cristina Costantini brings to the big screen the unbelievable story of Astronaut Sally Ride and gives us a glimpse of her life outside the headlines in the papers and the talk shows Sally appeared in- her journey outside of earth’s atmosphere and the landing back into very conservative USA of the 80’s and the sexist and LGBTQ-phobic environment of NASA.
The film reveals the love story of two fascinating women, and the legacy that Sally Ride left that inspires many girls and women to dream of the stars and beyond.
Anna (Academy Award Winner Olivia Colman) takes her non-binary teenager, Frances, to Amsterdam to visit their gay grandfather Jim- nicknamed Jimpa (Academy Award Nominee John Lithgow), an elderly decadent patriarch who’s having a hell of a time in Amsterdam. Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde) wants to stay with Jimpa for a year and experience the big queer city to the fullest. This will force Anna to reconsider her beliefs regarding parenthood and eventually face her past and her complex relationship with her own father.
In 2014 we screened Sophie Hyde’s phenomenal debut film “52 Tuesdays”, in the time that passed she directed Emma Thompson in the comedy “Good luck to you, Leo Grande” and now she returns with a personal queer film. “Jimpa” is a loving and thorough look on complex inter-generational relationships in family, friends and lovers.
Straight from the official competition of the Berlin Film Festival comes the debut directorial of the excellent screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz who wrote the Oscar winning screenplay for “Ida” and the lesbian drama “Disobedience”.
“Hot Milk” is a story of a mother and daughter unfolding during a hot Spanish summer and is based on the critically acclaimed novel by Deborah Levy. Sofia (Emma Mackey, star of “Sex Education”) is taking care of her demanding mother Rose (veteran actress Fiona Shaw) who is wheelchair bound. They come to Spain to meet with a local doctor (Vincent Perez) who is known for his unconventional treatments to find a potential medicine for the mother’s mysterious illness.
The visit takes a turn when the young girl meets a German woman on the beach (Vicky Krieps “Love Me Tender”) and allows herself for the first time to test her boundaries and experience sexual enjoyment for the first time on her way to unshackle herself from her mother and towards self-fulfillment and adolescence.
In her debut directorial Rebecca Lenkiewicz explores the interpersonal relationships between a mother and her daughter and creates a thrilling psychological drama that burns itself under the skin. Mackey and Shaw are excellent in the leading roles.
A new film by screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga (“21 Grams”, “Babel”) and starring the wonderful Argentinian actor Dario Grandinetti (“Talk to Her”, “Wild Stories”)
The film, which was shot in Rio de Janeiro and Paris, was inspired by the story of a Rio-born dancer, Thiago Soares – portrayed by Matheus Abreu and the unique relationship he developed with his mentor – Cuban-born Dino Carerra (Grandinetti). Soares, who grew up on the outskirts of Rio, used to perform with his friends on the streets of the city during the day and at local dance competitions at night. In between he tried to pick up girls and make a living doing odd jobs.
When he’s offered a scholarship to join a professional ballet school Thiago Soares doubts he’d survive even a day there, but a meeting with Dino- a sharp and brilliant Cuban dance teacher (who also hides an illness that was not to be talked about in those years) will change the course of his student’s life and turn him into an international star and the lead dancer of the Royal Ballet in London for 14 years.
“A Wolf Among the Swans” is an inspiring film with precise cinematography, snappy editing and a wonderful soundtrack. With a well written script and superb performances from its cast the result is a thought provoking film about a firm friendship between two men from completely different worlds and the ability to change and become the best version of oneself.
It’s 2014 and Nadia (Monia Chokri) and Céline (Ella Rumpf) are expecting their first child.
37 years old Nadia is carrying the baby. Her partner, Céline, is a 32 years old musician and a DJ. Céline is still trying to find her place and a sense of legitimacy amongst her judgmental friends, her mother (a renowned pianist who spends most of her time travelling the world) and the French law which isn’t very forthcoming towards same-sex couples who choose to be parents.
Director and screenwriter Alice Douard based the script on her personal experiences when she went through the exact same process on her way to motherhood. With a loving look and plenty of empathy she explores her characters, their couple’s conflicts and personal dilemmas.
César award winners Ella Rumpf (“Raw”, “Marguerite’s Theorem”) and Monia Chokri (“Love Me Tender” and Xavier Dolan’s films “Lawrence Anyway” “Heartbeats”) portray the roles of Céline and Nadia with sincerity, love and plenty of empathy and gives us the feel of two women in love who undergo an alternative and powerful experience- this film proves once again just how great are those two actresses are.
After she set the screen on fire in the masterpiece “Titane” (2021 Winner of Cannes Film Festival), actress Agathe Rousselle returns to the big screen with a small, intimate and moving film.
Elisabeth (Rousselle) is recovering from a breakup from her partner. She dives headfirst into her work as a concierge in Paris and accompanies rude tourists to their Airbnb apartments that they have rented for the Olympic Games. This is a stressful job that requires her to travel all over the city. Her sole repose is disconnecting her hearing aid and staring at Monet’s “Water Lilies”.
Everything changes when she meets a young and energetic tourist (Alex Lawther “The End of the Fucking World”) while the city around her is buzzing with energy for the Olympic Games, and he leads Elisabeth on unexpected adventures.
“A Second Life” is a piece about the unexpected connections we make through life. The film touches on subjects such as mental health and disabilities with a lot of charm. This film was made in the streets of Paris and manages to capture the true magic of the French capital, without all the cliches.
“Blue Moon”, Richard Linklater’s delightful new film, centers on one important night which changes the course of life for one Lorenz Hart (“Blue Moon”, “The Lady Is a Tramp”, “Manhattan” and “My Funny Valentine”). This particular night happens to be March 31st, 1943, which is the opening night of the Broadway production of “Oklahoma!”.
During this night, in real time, Hart discovers that Richard Rodgers, his creative partner, abandons their project in favor of a new partnership with Oscar Hammerstein, with whom he writes the successful plays that include: “Carousel”, “The King and I”, “South Pacific” and “The Sound of Music”.
Ethan Hawke delivers an impactful performance as Lorenz Hart, a closeted alcoholic, who also likes to be in the presence of young women. One of these women, played by Margaret Qualley (“The Substance”). Bobby Cannavale portrays a bartender. Richard Rodgers, Hart’s friend and secret lover, who leaves him abruptly because of his unstable nature, is perfectly portrayed by Andrew Scott (“All of Us Strangers”).
“Blue Moon” captures an especially painful moment during an evening which marks the end of a career for a tortured genius, while doing so with a comedic touch and a painfully sobering style. All this results in 100 minutes which are unique and especially amazing.
Actress Vicky Krieps seem to be everywhere these days- her big break was at Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom thread” alongside Daniel Day-Lewis, “The survivor” with Ben Foster, the horror thriller “Time” by director M. Night Shayamalan and “Corsage” where she played Austrian Empress Sisi.
Now she enters the shoes of a woman who is fighting for custody over her son, in a performance that can only be described as tour de force. Krieps manages to move, make laugh, hurt and simply dominate the screen for 134 minutes.
At the end of one summer Clemence tells her ex-husband that she is having romantic relationships with women. Her life falls apart when he demands sole custody over their son, claiming she is unstable. Clemence is shocked to discover the French law is on her ex-husband’s side- now she must go through a line of social workers and fight to prove that she is a fit mother while still maintaining her identity as a free woman.
In her second feature film, director Anna Cazenave proves she is destined to be a brave and meaningful voice in current French cinema.
Halloween Horror
This kind of horror movie- you haven’t seen yet!
“Blowie” is a sexy horror film starring real porno artists. A group of sex workers hire a mansion in the middle of nowhere to film OnlyFans content. After a tragic accident on one of the sets they find themselves being chased by a killer with the face of a sex doll.
“Blowie” is just pure fun, a film that combines the two most notorious, admired and watched genres in the world- slasher film and porn. The result is, of course, limited to 18 years old and above due to plenty of ridiculously bloody scenes, graphic sex scenes and lots of nudity. It’s going to be a blast!
For the first time in Israel on the big screen! 25th anniversary of the cult film ‘Psycho Beach Party’, based on the Charles Bush off Broadway cult play.
‘Psycho Beach Party’ is a crazy mix of 50’s psycho thrillers, 60’s beach films and 70’s slasher films. The story follows Chicklet Forest (the wonderful Lauren Ambrose from ‘6 feet under’ and ‘Yellowjackets’), Chicklet is a 16 years old tomboy who is desperate to be part of the surfing community of Malibu.
She’s a typical all American girl- the only problem is: her personality is more split than pepperoni on pizza.
Director and screenwriter Addison Heimann’s second film is a provocative and camp horror comedy, imaginative and crazy in the best way possible. This is a love song to the weird and sexual Japanese cinema of the 60’s and 70’s- the ground on which films such as “In the Realm of the Senses” grew upon.
“Touch me” dares to touch such subjects as mental health, desire and sexual abandonment but does not lose its humor for a second. Two best friends are depending on each other and get addicted to the heroin-like touch of a narcissistic alien with a craving for human flesh who may or may not want to take over the world.
Director and screenwriter Addison Heimann, whose first film “Hypochondriac” was screened at the 2022 TLVFest, comes back with a weirder, crazier and more brilliant second film. The result is a sexy and wonderfully bloody dream.
This film is limited to ages 18 and above since it’s a sexy and bloody extravaganza that you couldn’t get enough of.
Disney’s classic comedy in a special Halloween screening- it doesn’t get merrier than this!
In 1693 the three Sanderson sisters- Winifred, Mary and Sarah (Bette Midler, Kathey Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker) were sentenced to death in Salem, Massachusetts for witchcraft and were accused of stealing the life-force of a young girl named Emily Binx.
Before their execution Winifred casts a curse that will allow them to return to life if a virgin boy will light the black flame of the cursed candle in their home.
300 years go by until Max Dennison (Omri Katz) and his family move to Salem. During Halloween, in an effort to impress a girl Max accidentally brings the Sanderson sisters back from the dead- and once again they want to suck the ‘life force’ out of the town’s children in order to gain eternal life.
The 40th anniversary of the fantasy horror film produced by Disney Studios. This is an unofficial sequel to the original 1939’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ but the result is much more dark and channeling the spirit of the original ‘Oz’ book series by Frank L. Baum.
The film’s plot is based on the book “The Marvelous Land of Oz’ and ‘Ozma of Oz’. This film was nominated for an Academy Award in the special effects category.
This film takes place six months after Dorothy’s first adventure in the land of Oz. When Dorothy returns to Kansas she finds it very hard to readjust to her former life on the family ranch. Her ongoing obsession with the land of Oz causes her to lose sleep and is worrying her aunt and uncle. Dorothy’s aunt takes her to a clinic that specializes in Electro-therapy performed by the scary nurse Wilson. The scared Dorothy escapes the clinic and somehow finds herself back in Oz. Dorothy is appalled to find that Oz had been taken by the evil munchkin king and the evil witch Mombi.
Again Dorothy embarks on a perilous journey to save Oz, this time accompanied by a talking hen, a Pumpkinhead Jack-O-lantern and a mechanical man called Tik-Tok. The British actress Jean Marsh had caused nightmares to thousands of innocent children watching this film- come find out why.
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was not a big success when it came out in 1992, but over the years it had gained a loyal crowd thanks to the over-the-top camp humor and its self aware interpretation of the vampire genre. This cinematic experiment resonated with fans who appreciated its unique tone- it was the first time a vampire movie was laced into a camp high school comedy that played brilliantly with the cliches of the genres. The fact that the heroine is a blond cheerleader who kills vampires in all sorts of imaginative ways was quite surprising for the early 90’s.
The huge success of the TV series that followed helped a lot to keep the franchise alive, of course, and despite the very different tone of the TV show, its popularity helped elevate the film’s status as well.
If you don’t blink you might catch Ricki Lake as a disgruntled waitress, Ben Affleck as a basketball player and Alexis Arquette as a vampire DJ.
A wild night at a party in a Brooklyn club that specializes in bigger than life drag shows and queens. The party planner is stressing out hoping that everything will go according to plan, but even she cannot imagine that her biggest problem is going to be an unexpected zombie attack!
In order to survive the night, the bigger than life drag queens, the club’s staff and a gallery of colorful partygoers must put their differences and rivalry aside.
In her directorial debut Tina Romero, daughter of horror icon George A. Romero, adds to the genre her father created plenty of glam, camp and glitter. “Queens of the Dead” honors Romero senior’s legacy but also reinvent it. The film is full of dark humor, LGBTQ pride and a powerful message on how a united community and self-empowerment can overcome pretty much everything in life.
This film has some seriously kick-ass cast led by lesbian star Katy O’Brian (“Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning”, “The Mandalorian”) alongside Jack Haven (“I saw the TV Glow”), Ricky Lindhome (“Knives Out”), Nina West (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”), Dominique Jackson (“Pose”, “American Gods”), Chayenne Jackson (“American Horror Story”, “Glee”) and standup comedian Margaret Cho. Also starring is horror legend Tom Savini who collaborated with George Romero on several films such as “Dawn of the Dead” and “Land of the Dead”.
A feminist rom-com which is also a type of trash horror movie and 80’s style erotic movie that includes sci-fi and grotesque aliens as well.
In a small Estonian town, three stories converge: Sirje and her friend voluntarily sign up for a scientific experiment away from earth. Jüri falls for his lascivious neighbour. Uma, a fearless bodybuilder, dreams of a world without abusive men so that she could help her partner Marillis. Along the way the characters will have to deal with aliens, a giant spider and an Austrian door to door salesman of vacuums who always wears shorts.
The clever and multi layered script written by director Moonika Siimets provocs thoughts of the reality in which we live in and at the same time provide us with a cinematic piece that is pure fun.
The residents of Kettle Springs can’t catch a break. Nothing has ever been the same since the treasured Baypen Corn Syrup Factory burned down and now a mysterious, grinning figure has emerged from the cornfields to cleanse the town of its burdens, one bloody victim at a time.
In Eli Craig’s (“Tucker & Dale vs Evil”) newest outing, the real fun starts when Frendo the clown comes out to play.
The first ever film to bring to the big screen the story of Dorothy Gale is celebrating its centennial anniversary and that is an excellent opportunity to be reminded of Larry Semon’s silent film based on Frank L. Baum’s book.
The film tells the story of Dorothy, the rightful heiress to the throne of Oz who, with the help of three farm hands, is battling the evil prime minister who has taken control and is terrorising Oz.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge
The plot of this film takes place five years after the first, where Freddy Krueger was supposedly defeated. A new family, the Walsh family, moves to Springwood- to 1428 Elm Street, the house where Nancy Thompson (the heroine of the first film) used to live.
17 years old Jesse Walsh moves into Nancy’s old room and as expected Freddy Krueger pops into his dreams and demands he kill for him. He takes hold of Jesse’s body in order to make enough kills for him to return to life in the real world.
The film contains a subdued gay vibe throughout. Jesse is played by Mark Patton who formerly had played a gay teen in “Come back home to the 5 & dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean”- both in the Broadway version and the big screen version and was awarded the first Scream King title.
In this film you will find a dark bar with leather wearing men and locker room scenes. When Jesse’s girlfriend tries to make out with him he runs to the room of his naked best friend. A “No girls allowed” sign on Jesse’s bedroom and plenty more camp surprises.
Screenwriter David Chaskin admitted he hid queer subtext regarding coming out and same sex desires in the script. Robert Englund (forever Freddy Krueger) says the choice to cast Mark Patton had been intentional due to his sexual orientation.
LGBTQ Classics
Panel + Screening of “Dick Tracy”
Celebrating 35 years since the release of the film “Dick Tracy” with a panel of experts, led by festival head Yair Hochner. The panel will try to answer the question of why Madonna is a pop culture icon, and specifically a gay icon?
Participating in the panel are:
Amir Kaminer, film critic and culture journalist who interviewed Madonna multiple times
Dana Kessler, journalist and artistic director of the Soundtrack film festival
Michal Shapira, singer and actress
Kay Long, drag artist
“Dick Tracy” might just be the most colourful and musical comic book movie of all time. Warren Beatty enlisted for his film the help of Stephen Sondheim, the composer and lyricist of many musicals, such as “Company”, “A Little Music Night”, “Sweeney Todd”, “Into the Woods”, “Sunday in the Park with George”, “Assassins” and “Follies”. His career started with writing the lyrics for the musicals “West Side Story” and “Gypsy”. “Dick Tracy” is half a musical film, which earned Sondheim an Academy Award for Best Original Song for his work on the film. The songs are performed by the icon, singer, actress, director and Kabbalah aficionado – Madonna.
The plot is very simple: “Dick Tracy” is a detective battling against “Big Boy” Caprice, the head of the mafia, portrayed by Al Pacino with heavy makeup. Madonna portrays a pleasant bar singer named Mahoney, who is romantically involved with Big Boy. Aside from them, a number of famous actors appear in this film for mere moments, with or without heavy makeup, from the likes of Dustin Hoffman, James Keane, Charles Durning, William Forsythe, Seymour Cassel, Paul Sorvino, Mandy Patinkin, Catherine O’Hara, James Keane, Kathy Bates and Dick Van Dyke. The film was shot by the artist Vittorio Storaro (“Apocalypse Now”, “Reds”, “The Last Emperor”), and has a bold visual style which attempts to be as faithful as possible to the aesthetic of the original comic strips.
“Dick Tracy” was nominated for a total of nine Academy Awards, including: Best Supporting Actor for Pacino’s performance, and won in three categories: Best Original Song, Best Makeup and Best Art Direction.
German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s last film from 1982 is an adaptation of the 1947 Jean Genet novel “Querelle de Brest”. When Belgian sailor George Querelle’s ship docks in Brest, he visits ‘Feria’ a bar and brothel run by Madame Lysiane, her husband Nono who had illegal businesses and her lover Robert, who happens to be George’s brother. Both brothers have a complex relationship based on love and mutual loathing, when all that Madame Lysiane and her husband care about is getting George Querelle into their bed.
‘Querelle’ is an erotic and stylish masterpiece that brings to the screen a hot dish of passions, lust, sex and a lot of killings. With spectacular sets and costumes that reminds the drawings of fetish artist Tom of Finland. The international cast is no short of perfect- bisexual American actor Brad Davis (“Midnight Express” who was also an AIDS activist, of which he died in 1991), French cinematic diva Jeanne Moreau (“Jill et Jim”) and Italian actor Franco Nero (star of spaghetti western film series “Django” who also appeared in Tarantino’s “Django Unchained”) in a gentle and unexpected role as the captain of the ship who is secretly in love with Querelle.
In Memory of James Bidgood (1933-2022)
“Pink Narcissus” is a 1971 ground breaking, queer, camp and daring American film created by artist James Bidgood, and starring unknown actors such as Don Brooks, Bobby Kendall and stage actor Charles Ludlam.
Alone in his apartment the hero of “Pink Narcissus” is having erotic fantasies about a male prostitute and surprise visits by a bodyguard. In every world he fantasizes about he is the hero, whether he is a Roman slave, a matador or a belly-dancing harem guard.
Bidgood filmed “Pink Narcissus” on a 8mm camera, during seven years (1963-1970), in his studio apartment. After a dispute with the distributors of the film he decided to remove his name from the credits and the film was released under ‘anonymous director’, which led to rumours that the one who actually filmed it was Andy Warhol. Only during the 90’s it was revealed that the actual creator was Bidgood, who was still living in the same studio apartment where he filmed “Pink Narcissus”, and he received the credit he was due. Since then the film has been shown in dozens of festivals and gained cinematic tributes all over the world.
TLVFest is proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the British Classic, directed by Stephen Frears (“Dangerous Liaisons”, “The Queen”) and starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Gordon Warnecke. The film was written by Hanif Qureshi who later adapted it into a successful play.
Two young men from totally different backgrounds in 80’s London meet during the Thatcher administration and the economic changes she led. The plot takes place in a hard neighbourhood, in a community of Pakistani immigrants and poor white folk.
Omar is a young Pakistani whose family opens a launderette in the neighbourhood. Johnny is a young white man who starts to work there. Both men, who live in a community full of racism and prejudice find themselves not only working side by side, but fall in love with each other as well. The British Film Institute had included this film in the ‘Best 100 films of the 20th century’
Come watch the greatest actor of our generation, winner of three Academy Awards Daniel Day-Lewis (“My Left Foot”, “There Will Be Blood”, “Lincoln”) in one of his first and best roles.
Donna Deitch, an awards winning documentarist was also the first out lesbian director who paved the way for many others with her debut feature film “Desert Hearts”. The film is based on a novel by Jane Rule written in 1964.
Helen Shaver is starring as Vivian Bell, a 35 years old professor from Columbia University who’s going to Reno to get divorced. She arrives at the farm of Frances Parker (Audra Lindley) in order to stay the required 6 weeks before she can become a Nevada resident and get her divorce.
In the farm Vivian catches the attention of Frances adopted daughter Cay (Patricia Charbonneau) an out and confident lesbian. Cay works at a casino and is a decade younger than Vivian. At first Vivan is trying to stay strong against Cay’s shameless flirting but when the emotions flood over she cannot resist anymore and the two end up in each other’s arms.
Already as its debut release back in 1985 “Desert Hearts” delighted audiences in the most prestigious film festivals around the globe- Locarno, Toronto and Sundance and now you have a chance to get swept into the romance set against the desert backdrop and the country soundtrack that accompanies the film in an original and high quality 35mm version.
Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.’s low budget masterpiece from 1985 is still as effective and moving as it was 40 years ago.
David (David Schachter) is a 25 years old yuppie who volunteers to be a “Buddy” to an AIDS patient. The LGBTQ community center teams him with Robert (Geoff Edholm), a 32 years old gay gardner from California, with very sharp political views, who had been abandoned by his friends and loved ones.
This is a lyrical cinematic piece for two actors (the rest of the cast is only heard, not seen) of the relationship between a young man who’s got his whole future ahead of him and who becomes best friends with a man who is dying of a then incurable disease. Aided by an elegant and meticulous script the result is rare perfection that is immortalising in a real moment a whole period of LGBTQ history.
“Buddies” is the first feature length film about the AIDS pandemic. It made its international debut on September 12 1985 in the Castro Theatre, with director Bressan and his two actors present. Five days later on September 17 1985 the US president Reagan finally uttered the word AIDS in public for the very first time. Sadly, Brassen himself died of AIDS in 1987 as did his actor Geoff Adholm in 1989. David Schachter still lives in New-York.
Judy Garland is Dorothy, the unhappy child carried away by a tornado with her dog Toto, all the way from Kansas to the fantasy land of Oz where she discovers after many adventures that true happiness is to be found in her own back yard. The excellent directing of Victor Fleming, Judy Garland’s amazing performance, the eternal music- all made ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to one of the biggest most loved films ever produced in classic Hollywood. The film won academy awards for the song ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and the soundtrack. Judy Garland won a special academy award for her performance.
Who would have thought that Sidney Lumet, the Jewish director who started his career at 4 years old in a Yiddish theatre will end up directing such classics as “Dog Day Afternoon”, “Cerpico”, “12 Angry men” and many more.
Lumet’s cinematic version of “The Wiz”, a 1974 Broadway musical is based on an Afro-American cast and is set in an Urban Oz that brings Harlem to mind. The film was released in 1978 and told the story of Dorothy Gail, a 24 years old teacher from Harlem, who is magically transported to Oz, the urban fantasy land. In her search for help from the mysterious Wizard she befriends a scarecrow, tinman and a coward lion.
The film was a co-production of Universal Pictures and Motown Records, was filmed in Queens New York with a cast that included Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Theresa Merritt, Thelma Carpenter, Lena Horneת and Richard Pryor. Quincy Jones was in charge of the musical direction. When the film was released it fell flat, both commercially and critically, but as years passed it gathered a loyal audience and today is considered a classic that preceded its time.
An American guy visits Felix, a German guy living on the west side of Berlin. The two go on a day walk in East Berlin and meet Thomas. Felix and Thomas fall in love but the wall separates them, as of all of Germany in those dark days. Felix tries to keep their relationship strong and steady by frequently visiting Thomas on the east side but that only raises the East Germany authorities’ suspicions. Thoms decides to take a huge risk and flee to West Germany, will he succeed?
“Westler – East Of The Wall” is noted by its realistic description of a homosexual relationship in a wall-separated Berlin. Part of the film was shot in east Berlin, without authorization of the East Germany government. The result is one of the most talked about film of 1985.
Escape to Life: The Erika and Klaus Mann Story
Inspired by the story of Erika and Klaus Mann- the author Thomas Mann’s LGBTQ children, this film tells the story in the voices of Vanessa and Corin Redgrave of those two talented people.
Erika and Klaus Mann’s life seemed magical, two privileged children of a famous author who became successful artists of their own merit at the roaring 20’s in Berlin. The two were significantly involved in the movement of sexual release and indie theatre and Erika Mann even played in several films such as “Mädchen in Uniform” which is considered to be one of the first ever lesbian films.
Erika and Klaus Mann were forced to leave Germany with the rise of the Nazi movement and raging fascism, as two Jewish descendants queers. They fled to the USA and found themselves having to deal with being fugitives and foreigners. Erika became a much sought after celebrity while Klaus became addicted to drugs.
A restored copy of the first full-length American documentary made by LGBT people about Pride parades in the United States.
In 1977 one of the pioneers of gay cinema filmmakers, Arthur J. Bressan Jr., recruited film crews across the country to document Pride parades in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
The film also includes rare footage from the first New York Pride parade in 1970 and the first San Francisco parade in 1972, as well as interviews with activists and participants. The film illustrates the anger of the LGBT community in the wake of Anita Bryant’s homophobic campaign and the hate crimes against the community that followed. At the same time, the film also illustrates the immense power and importance of the parades.
“Gay USA” offers a spectacular, vibrant, and beautiful collage of an incredible year in history of the gay community. The film conveys a strong message of hope and also of the victorious power of love.
Special Events
Opening Ceremony of the 20th TLVFest: The Tel-Aviv International LGBTQ+ Film Festival
From the screenwriter of “Chicago” and the director of “Gods and Monsters”, “Kinsey” and “Dream Girls” comes the cinematic production of the Tony award winner musical “The Kiss of the Spider Woman”, based on a 1976 novel by Argentinian writer Manuel Puig.
Valentin, a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina, a window dresser who was arrested for indecent exposure. The two make an unexpected connection when Molina tells the plot of an old Hollywood music film named “The Kiss of the Spider Woman” starring his favorite diva, Ingrid Luna.
Aside from the spectacular visual design of the film, you can find three talented actors moving between drama, dancing and singing like they’ve been doing it on a daily basis.
Jennifer Lopez is giving a performance of a lifetime- hypnotizing and unforgettable as if she was born to play the Latina Diva Ingrid Luna. Diego Luna (“Andor”, “Y tu mama tambien”) is Valentin, in one of his best performances and Tonatiuh (“Carry-on”) is truly a rising star.
Israeli Cinema
Alon Weinstock’s documentary film has a cult following with fans who return annually; packing movie theatre to capacity for the sole purpose of enjoying Gila Goldstein’s zingers and being moved by the life story of one of Israel’s first trans women who was also a Tel Aviv icon-turned legend, while still live.
Gila was born in the 50’s in lower Haifa. A young soccer player in the Maccabbi Haifa who had always known that she is a woman. In her 20’s she moved to Tel Aviv and worked as a prostitute and exotic dancer. In 2003 she was proclaimed the community’s darling for her contribution and continued fight for social justice.
The film, shot between 1997 – 2010, describes the world of a woman who is, despite fleeting years and many struggles, still happy, optimistic and feeling forever young. Because Gila is the one and only and in her own radical language: “That’s Gila, That’s Me.”
In memory of Gila Goldstein (18.12.1947 – 05.02.2017)
A special screening to mark the 20th anniversary hosted by filmmaker Tom Shoval (“Youth”, “Letter to David”, “Echo of Your Voice”, “Life Without Credit” and more…)
17-year-old Meni wears only the most fashionable clothes, is interested in music, loves the cinema and works as a rent boy. He had a baby from Mika, a young drug addict prostitute. He has an adoptive mother who is also a trans-gender prostitute and clients that contacts him on his cell-phone.
One night he meets Tal, also a hustler, and they decide to spend the night together. During that night, their lives gain a new meaning, but can the little hope change the life they are used to from an early age?
In the morning they decide to meet later at the club. Until the awaited meeting, both of them will have to deal with their weary routine of clients, marginalized people and unexpected events.
From the jury’s reasoning at the Eilat Film Festival 2026 for choosing it as the best Israeli film: “…We found in the film “Good Boys” a cinematic story that is difficult to digest, but touches on the courage of a world whose existence we usually prefer to ignore. The film grabs you, hits you, and leaves you asking questions, searching for answers, and hurting. Another important point is the human side of the characters living in poverty – and often maintaining a human image, and for this, by unanimous decision, we found “Good Boys” worthy of the award.”
הפרלמנט של גילה גולדשטיין ודרוררר
בסרטם הדוקומנטרי של דרור נובלמן ואלון וינשטוק “הפרלמנט של גילה ודרוררר” נחשפת הצצה נדירה ואינטימית לעולמה של גילה גולדשטיין – אייקון תרבות, חלוצה טרנסג’נדרית, ואחת הדמויות הססגוניות והנועזות שידעה ישראל. במשך שנים תיעד התסריטאי דרור נובלמן במצלמת הטלפון שלו את המפגשים הליליים הבלתי-נשכחים בבית הקפה שבו נהגה לשבת. “הפרלמנט” היה מוקד משיכה לחברותיה הטרנסיות הוותיקות, כוכבות שוליים ואורחים יוצאי דופן מכל גווני הקשת – אנשים שעלו אליה לרגל אל תוך השעות הקטנות, לחלוק סיפורים, רעיונות, שירים וצחוקים מתגלגלים.
החומר הגולמי, שנצבר לאורך שנים, נערך ביד רגישה על ידי אלון ויינשטוק לכדי סרט תוסס בן חמישים דקות, המשלב הומור פרוע, רגעים מרגשים, ושפע אנקדוטות נדירות. זהו מסמך חי וצבעוני של תרבות שוליים שהקדימה את זמנה – של נשים ואנשים שחיו באומץ ובגאווה, לעיתים תוך מאבק יומיומי, ותמיד עם חן ושנינות שאין לה תחליף.
מעבר לדיוקן של גילה עצמה – שנפטרה ב-2017 – הסרט משרטט דיוקן של קהילה. הוא מראה כיצד סביב שולחן אחד קטן נרקם פסיפס חד-פעמי של דמויות, חוויות וחברות לא שגרתית. ״הפרלמנט של גילה ודרוררר” הוא גם הומאז’ אישי וגם חגיגה קולנועית: מחווה לאישה גדולה מהחיים ולחבורה המיתולוגית שהפכה אותה לאגדה.
Shahar, a beautiful and vigilant girl, lives in a tough Bat Yam neighborhood with her dysfunctional family. Her divorced father is in a mental institution, and her alcoholic mother dreams of remarriage. Shahar essentially raises her younger sister Moran (12) alone. Expelled from regular school, she now studies at “Beit Gila,” an alternative school for at-risk girls. Perry, a new soldier teacher, arrives as an unconventional and enigmatic guide. Their intense relationship, marked by attraction and repulsion, evolves into a profound, transformative love.
Lazer and Bati love each other, have three children. They live in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, under strict rules. life for the happy family changes when Lazer falls victim to blackmail. There are photos that make Bati doubt her knowledge of her partner . The new discovery puts everyone in a whirlpool of emotions, struggling to keep their family and love together.
Nir Bergman (Here we are, Cannes 2020, Official Selection), one of Israel’s most esteemed filmmakers and writer of In Treatment, won the Best Director Award at the Tallinn’s Black Nights for Pink Lady. Bergman’s touching and uplifting comedy drama was written by Mindi Ehrlich, a member of the Hasidic community in Jerusalem who drew from her own experience to write the script.
Filmography: Here We Are (2020), Intimate Grammar (2010), Broken Wings (2002).
Fearing for her life, Israeli transgender pioneer Efrat Tilma fled the country as a teenager. Now in her seventies and a celebrated activist, she must fight for her freedom once again, as the country spirals into political and social regression.
Gal is a girl whose only desire is to be a man.
She feels like a man inside and expresses herself defiantly.
Her dissonance between mind and body is expressed throughout the film.
The film is told through the eyes of Gal, who films and documents everything in her life without any censorship.
Gal meets Shelly, a straight girl who initially does not respond to her advances. Slowly, the two become closer, and an intimate bond develops between them.
Gal tries to move up a level with Shelly and wants to express herself in bed as a man in a way she knows and feels safe in, and Shelly refuses to accept this way.
Gal has difficulty with Shelly’s lack of acceptance and reacts in an extreme way.
Sasha (28) is non-binary, having relocated to Israel from the former Soviet Union with their family in 1990, back when he still had his two ponytails.
Today, Sasha owns nothing more than a car and a notebook and tries to understand why.
They write in his notebook: “A house has no function if it is not lived in, the body has no value if we do not identify with it, and the heart has no comfort if it has no love״.
And goes back on a transformational journey between the houses where he used to live. Weaving together past and present, male and female, reality and fantasy, Sasha pieces memories, faces old traumas, and their deepest fears— all in pursuit of inner peace and self-acceptance.
They said he started it all.
On November 7, 1938, a gentle looking seventeen-year-old Jewish boy, an illegal resident in France, entered the German embassy in Paris and fired three bullets at German diplomat Ernst vom Rath,
Two days later, vom Rath died of his wounds. And Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, sent the German people to take revenge on all Jews. More than a thousand synagogues were burned, hundreds of Jews were murdered or committed suicide, thousands of businesses were looted, and tens of thousands of men were sent to concentration camps.
Goebbels, the master of propaganda, called it “Kristallnacht”.
“Proud Jewish Boy” is a fascinating documentary journey following the story of the young assassin Herschel Grynszpan, the boy accused by Jews of being responsible for the pogrom that started the Holocaust and by the Germans of starting World War II.
Through new historical discoveries, rare archival materials, family members and researchers who investigated the affair, the film brings for the first time the full, yet untold story of the circumstances that led to the assassination, and the dramatic sequence of events that followed it, an unknown story that culminates in a battle of wits between Goebbels, the second most powerful man in the Nazi regime, and the “poor Jewish boy” from the infamous Leine neighborhood in Hanover , who refused to turn the other cheek.
The End of a Woman – Sarit Ahmad Shakur
The tragic story of Sarit Ahmad Shakur, an 18-year-old LGBTQ+ woman from the Druze village of Kiser al-Sami, who was murdered on June 9, 2023. The episode follows Sarit’s difficult life, her struggle for love and understanding from her family, and the bitter path that led to her tragic death. This unique episode is narrated through recordings, testimonies, experts, and friends, revealing for the first time the indictment against the suspects in the murder and serving as an indictment against the traditional and conservative society that struggles to accept the sexual identity of young people in the Arab community.
Left To The Boys – Israeli Short Films
Duration: 75 mins
What You Don’t See
Israel, 2025, 8 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Jonathan, a young gay man searching for his identity through parties and sleepless nights, faces an unexpected encounter when his religious mother, Michal, shows up at the club. The charged meeting leads to an honest and unforgettable evening.
Director: Gal Dorfan
Script: Gal Dorfan
Producer: Nina Sigavi bialik and Yonatan Cogan
With: Yehonatan Levi, Iris Dorfan, Shaked Biala, Daniel Tebol, Tami Lichter
The Living
Israel, 2024, 5 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
A young single Tel Avivian gets a voice message from someone, now an ex. Nothing else of note happens. Dinner, Netflix, sex. Another evening.
Director: Barak Levontin
Script: Barak Levontin
Producer: Barak Levontin
With: Barak Levontin, Assaf Dimor, Ben Oved-Berkovitch
Breathing
Israel, 2025, 10 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
“Breathing” is a short film that depicts the story of Amichai and Tamir.
Amichai, a religious man, suffers from anxiety and decides to take private swimming lessons in order to overcome his fear of water as a result of a trauma he went through. His swimming instructor, Tamir, is a secular, homosexual man. During the lessons, a close and intimate relationship is formed between the two. Amichai is excited but also extremely confused. The film ends with an open ending where Amichai overcomes his fear of water and perhaps other fears as well.
Director: Eden Gabay
Script: Eden Gabay
Producer: Meira Korn
With: Eliyahu Pelee, Hagai Cohen
Tomchi
Israel, 2025, 4 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
A random, routine Grindr meeting turns dramatic when, in a moment of lust, the question arises – will you marry me? This is a story about an intimate encounter with a lack of intimacy.
Director: Nir Yosef
Script: Nir Yosef
Producer: Nir Yosef
With: Nir Yosef, Yadin Gellman
Between Us
Israel, 2025, 13 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Stream of consciousness – Dad, a motorcycle, Yoav, and me. And what lies between us. After coming out to his parents, Yoav (25) returns home to see what comes next.
Director: Yonatan Shabat
Script: Yonatan Shabat
Producer: Yuli Sachs, Itamar Ram
With: Yoav Rotman, Dudi Gordon, Ortal Agmon Hirsh, Noam Tal
LEFT TO THE BOYS
Israel, 2025, 4 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
On a road trip with Elad, they’re looking for a secluded spot in Krayot. But when they reach their destination, the problems begin.
Director: Yonatan Shabat
Script: Yonatan Shabat
Producer: Yonatan Shabat
With: Itamar Ram
Pretend We’re Friends
Israel, 2025, 16 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
In a small car parked in a remote spot, two young men meet for a secret date. The outside world forces them to be a couple only within the car’s doors, sparking a playful pretend game — and dreams of another life, and its cost.
Director: Tomer Carmeli
Script: Tomer Carmeli
Producer: Tomer Carmeli
With: Mark Chuzhoy, Omri Aharonson
Or
Israel, 2025, 6 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Or and Bar are in a secret relationship during a war. While Or is recruited to fight in Gaza, Bar remains at home and discovers Or’s death through a news report on the television. Now Bar must carry the weight of grief and their secret.
Director: Guy Ozer
Script: Guy Ozer
Producer: Guy Ozer
With: Omer Gan, Guy Saviantz
Puppet
Israel, 2025, 10 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
After a painful breakup, Don returns to his parents’ home. In one night with Shai, a handsome and sensitive man, a longing for intimacy turns into a painful clash, forcing them to face their deepest fears about love.
Director: Gidi Herman
Script: Gidi Herman
Producer: Keren Levav
With: Omer Lev, Dror Izkovitch
Israeli Short Films Competition A
Lucky Break
Israel, 2025, 22 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, my queer family and I left Moscow in a hurry, finding ourselves in revolutionary Sri Lanka. Finding and realising my identity while searching for a new home and trying to keep my family together – is this our lucky break?
Director: Oleg Lakovlev
Script: Oleg Lakovlev
Producer: Oleg Lakovlev
With: Valeriya Lakovleva, Lev Lakovlev, Sergei Vasilchenko, Oleg Lakovlev
Another Straight Couple
Israel, 2025, 12 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
In an intimate journey, the director explores the complexities of gender identity, intimacy, and relationships by turning the camera on her cross-dressing boyfriend. The film quite literally opens the closet, challenging gender norms and putting both their identities and relationship to the test revealing raw and vulnerable moments.
Director: Ariella Hertzog
Script: Ariella Hertzog
Producer: Ariella Hertzog
With: Ariella Hertzog and Omri Shahar
Service
Israel, 2025, 20 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Caught between his mother’s anxieties and a risky romance with his boss, 16-year-old Yonatan is in a desperate search for freedom. As secrets surface, he must navigate love, betrayal, and self-discovery to uncover what truly matters.
Director: Itai Jamshy
Script: Itai Jamshy
Producer: Dor Fisher
With: Arad Triffon Reshef, Hila Mann, Oded Leopold, Ruthy Bornstein, Jules Atlan
Protected Space
Israel, 2025, 9 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
During a foot massage, a mother and her son openly discuss sexuality.
Director: Ariel Schendar
Script: Ariel and Noa Schendar
Producer: Ariel Schendar
With: Ariel and Noa Schendar
Israeli Short Films Competition B
GUILT
Israel, 2024, 18 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Alon is a screenwriter isolated in his private world. He tries to process his traumatic past, which he hides from his partner Roy. Roy senses the undercurrents and confronts Alon in an attempt to reveal his secrets.
Director: Nitai Shanni
Script: Nitai Shanni
Producer: Nitai Shanni
With: David Lavi, Ohad Lalo, Amnon Peled
UGABUGA
Israel, 2024, 19 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
A man is looking for an answer in the shape of a young woman, a teenager fights over the meaning of words with his lover and a dancer finds it difficult to spend a whole night with himself. Three stories about love.
Director: Nir Shenhav
Script: Nir Shenhav
Producer: Nir Shenhav
With: Uri Gabay, Refeal Nativ, Michael Lifshin, Almog Heller, Danielle Rubinstein, Mika Hashin
Scheherazade
Israel, 2025, 18 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
A young violinist is trapped between a twisted relationship with his conductor, and his inability to connect with the woman who could offer him an escape.
Director: Orr Bar Ilan & Yahel Kabiri
Script: Orr Bar Ilan & Yahel Kabiri
Producer: Shahar David
With: Orr Bar Ilan, Yedidia Vital, Naama Blum, Shira Rubinshtein
Higher
Israel, 2025, 13 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
On the edge of the rooftop of the housing block where he grew up, on the eve of its demolition, 18-year-old Ido sits drunk. He waits for Omer, his best friend, who has just enlisted in the IDF, hoping to recruit him for a plan to save the building (or their friendship).
Dir: Guy Hazam
Script: Guy Hazam
Producer: Asaf Ofir
With: Nevo Katan, Chen Bello, Shir Ashkenazi
NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN
Israel, 2024, 15 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Two teens try to share an intimate evening at one of their parents’ homes, hiding their relationship and sexual identity. But constant interruptions from the family outside force them to confront the real issues between them.
Director: Ronald Geronimo (Ron Gino)
Script: Ronald Geronimo (Ron Gino)
Producer: Ronald Geronimo (Ron Gino), Matan Yaniv
With: Almog Michelson, Itay Greenberg
Israeli Short Film Competition C
Nothing, Maybe.
Israel, 2025, 15 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
After two months of reserve duty in Gaza, Michael returns to Tel Aviv and immediately heads out to a party. A chance encounter with Alon stirs up conflicting emotions and reveals a trauma he didn’t know existed.
Director: Daniel Gat
Script: Daniel Gat
Producer: Tamar Peled
With: Omer Perelman Striks, Ori Mechraz, Tomer Barash, Gil Seri
The Sacred Straps
Israel, 2025, 6 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Aviv, newly secular, lies to a BDSM creator to land a collab on OnlyFans. When he’s told to use his grandfather’s tefillin as bondage gear or cancel, he agrees – desperate to belong. Until everything spirals out of control.
Director: Adam Michael Reider
Script: Adam Michael Reider and Noy Blacha
Producer: Adam Michael Reider
With: Idan Marin and Gal Cohen
Through the Night
Israel, 2025, 22 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
When Adam, a rigid gay man from Tel-Aviv, meets with a guy for a sexual encounter, he is usually gone seconds after sex is over. But tonight, while he’s stuck in an isolated village in the middle of the desert alongside a kind and romantic guy, Adam will have to face his fears before dawn will rise.
Director: Johnny Doov
Script: Johnny Doov
Producer: Alona Amram
With: Shachar Netz, Hagai Cohen
Night Routine
Israel, 2025, 6 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Lior waits for a date who doesn’t show up. Instead of staying alone, he asks the guy to come over — for just one night.
Director: Lior Sa’ado
Script: Lior Sa’ado
Producer: Alma Yoels
With: Ohad Lalo, Assaf Zalmanovich
Just Visiting
Israel, 2025, 19 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
On the eve of a holiday, Dor prepares for an orgy when his estranged mother arrives, mistaking his hookup for a boyfriend. Over a tense dinner, they maintain the lie — until an unexpected knock at the door shatters the facade.
Director: Idan Argov
Script: Idan Argov
Producer: Idan Argov, Noa Gur Itzack
With: Idan Argov, Gil Seri Levi, Ricki Hayut
fucking war
Israel, 2025, 7 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Palestinian Iyad and Israeli Maor meet through Grindr for a mix of wild sex and a power struggle. The sudden alarm throws them to the hall surrounded by hostile neighbours. That is when true intimacy sparks between them.
Director: Ohad Manor
Script: Ohad Manor
Producer: Ohad Manor
With: Asked to stay anonymous
Israeli Short Film Competition D
The Holy Ark
Israel, 2024, 16 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Avigail, a young religious woman, is secretly in love with her best friend, Hodaya. When she learns of an arranged marriage to the rabbi’s son, she is torn between forbidden love and the life path expected of her.
Director: Shelly Aronov
Script: Shelly Aronov
Producer: Ella Steinberger
With: Orian Zaphir, Tehila Yarden Holtzman
Things I Wanted To Tell You
Israel, 2025, 12 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Danny and Ya’ara pretend that everything is fine between them. Ya’ara- an actress, lands an audition and asks Danny for help to prepare, but when they start acting the scene, relationship problems starts to surface and things go downhill. Minshar School of Art
Director: Daniel Toffler Bruski
Script: Daniel Toffler Bruski
Producer: Rimona Shalev
With: Noa Zehavi, Chen Daniel
There Are Girls
Israel, 2024, 6 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
When Roni asks her girlfriend Danny to read through a script she wrote about a heterosexual couple getting married, the reading session triggers tension and exposes Roni’s fears about her lesbian identity, leading to a painful confrontation about shame and self-acceptance. A small comedic drama about choices, decisions, and crossroads.
Director: Naama Manor
Script: Naama Manor
Producer: Yotam Reshef
With: Naama Manor, Daria Gilat Brenner
Save the Cat
Israel, 2025, 15 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Tamar is getting the sense that her partner does not want children, so she brings a lost kitten home in the hope of changing her mind. But the kitten belongs to someone else, and Tamar’s attempt to save the relationship is getting very publicly messy.
Director: Stav Tsur
Script: Stav Tsur
Producer: Eily Fried
With: Yotam Laor, Lia Covo, Anna Stephan
Babysitter
Israel, 2025, 4 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Tamara wakes up every morning with a knot in her chest — what if she’ll never make it as a singer? While chasing success, she works as a babysitter, only to realize that what she saw as failure might be her only chance at belonging — maybe even home.
Director: Ziv Mamon
Script: Ziv Mamon
Producer: Ziv Mamon
With: Naomi Levov, Dana Adini, Shira Saban
Nusha
Israel, 2025, 14 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
After the mother’s death and the family garage goes bankrupt, Noya and her father try to fix their old Subaru. The attempt to repair the car unravels the complexity of their relationship. Noya realizes that unless she takes a stand against her father, she will remain trapped in fate.
Director: Adi Choen
Script: Adi Choen
Producer: Ricky Sandler
With: Noya – (Naomi Yaish Ben Ozilio) Akiva – (Amitai Yaish Ben Ozilio) Dana – (Noa Zahavi)
I Know the End
Israel, 2025, 2 minutes, Dialogue-free film
In the midst of the end of the world, two girls are trying to spend their last moments together.
Director: Maya Gleak
Script: Maya Gleak
Producer: Maya Gleak
You’re Perfect, Keep Going
Israel, 2025, 15 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Amalya and Yuval, a stable couple in their 30s, try a “free night.” At a lesbian party, Amalya meets Avia – who’s too cool and pretty unstable. Their night together leads Amalya into unexpected intimacy, forcing her to confront questions about freedom, and commitment.
Director: Yaaley Weiss
Script: Yaaley Weiss
Producer: Yaaley Weiss, Noa Gur Itzach
With: Yaaley Weiss, Gal Peer Yacubovich
Israeli Short Film Competition E
Secret Identity
Israel, 2025, 5 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
A young superhero leads a double life. They spend their days souring through the city, in their cape and mask, alongside other superhero friends. But when the hero visits their family, they hide their superhero suit and wear the facade of a normal person.
Director: Sam Goldstein
Script: Sam Goldstein
Producer: Sam Goldstein
With: Robin Klein, Rotem Kahn, Yuval Porat
Yoaz and I
Israel, 2025, 18 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
The film follows a quadrangle relationship of a woman, two of Yoaz Hendel’s bodyguards, and Yoaz himself. The bodyguards’ secret romance unravels dramatically because of the woman. A meeting that would never happen without their shared link, Yoaz Hendel.
Director: Raphael Kohn
Script: Raphael Kohn
Producer: Raphael Kohn
With: Imri Sagi, Bandon Kenn, Noga Arbel
NEVERMORE
Israel, 2025, 7 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Two shape shifters, a wolf and a crow are trying to survive the end of the world. Will they be able to find a place to call home?
Director: Lianna Boermeester
Script: Lianna Boermeester
Producer: Lianna Boermeester
Shishbarak
Israel, 2025, 20 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Zohar is a lazy, closeted bisexual granddaughter who hates magic and lives with her Syrian witch grandmother. When her grandmother is injured because of her, Zohar is forced to inherit the family’s magical powers. Together, they open the first Shishbarak stand in Kiryat Ono, through which Zohar learns that magic—like her sexual attraction—should be embraced as a strength, not a source of shame.
Director: May Drora Sayag
Script: May Drora Sayag
Producer: Gidon Lev
With: May Drora Sayag, Sarit Friedman, Nir Ron, Yuval Shefer, Lyri Hefner
Kasey Cartoon
Israel, 2025, 10 minutes, English with Hebrew subtitles
Since diversity is dead in TV and movies, Veronica the animator decides to kill off Kasey, one of her diverse cartoons. But Kasey isn’t your typical cartoon and she’s definitely not going anywhere without a fight.
Director: Veronica Kedar
Script: Veronica Kedar
Producer: Veronica Kedar
With: Veronica Kedar, Annael Jonas, Etan Salomon, Yuval Yinai
And The White Wall
Israel, 2025, 20 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
In a future dictatorship where homosexuality is illegal, Tomer, a former prisoner, nears the end of his service work. An unexpected encounter with someone from his past stirs old emotions. Under 24/7 surveillance, one wrong move could be catastrophic.
Director: Adar Perlman & Inbal Selah
Script: Adar Perlman & Inbal Selah
Producer: Gal Hachnochi
With: Mike Eli, Ori Katz and Edith Hatzor
Friday Music - Israeli Short Films
Mistakes
Israel, 2025, 3 minutes
On his 24th birthday, Eden (Adam Zvi Habani) finds out about Almog’s betrayal and leaves him to face the consequences of his mistakes. Based on Almog’s real-life experiences as a young oriental gay man and the problematic history with his ex-boyfriend.
בימוי: אריאל מלול
תסריט: אריאל מלול
הפקה: אופיר מלול
עם: אלמוג חרוש, אדם צבי חבאני
One Woman in the City
Israel, 2025, 3 minutes
“One Woman in the City” is a song written by Pat Parker, aiming to raise awareness about the issue of solidarity among women. Israeli society is very diverse, so we thought it was important to write the Israeli version of the song. We reached out to Israeli women and asked them to write about themselves, about their identities, in the poetic structure of Pat Parker’s song. The question “Is she our sister?” always echoes in the background.
Director: Zehavit Sabag, Naama Hacohen
Script: Zehavit Sabag, Naama Hacohen
Producer: Zehavit Sabag
With: Naama Hacohen
ADAM
Israel, 2024, 3 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
The music video tells the story of Adam (played by Avi Buskila), the protagonist of the song—a gay man who came from the periphery, became wealthy, and now enjoys the gay lifestyle that Tel Aviv has to offer. Deep inside, Adam longs for simplicity and feels trapped within the endless choices.
Director: Ari Gilad
Script: Ari Gilad
Producer: Ehevi Nachmani
With: Avi Buskila, Ofek Yfrach Azulay, Nuri Amit Gil, Hadar Binyamin, Yonatan Alster, Amit Hayat, Daniel Yaron, Yuval Borodati, Yarden Meshulam, Roi Dekel
Sacred Souls
Israel, 2024, 3 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
2016, Alma, a young soldier, is falling in love with her female commander. She dreams of a wedding and stops to wonder about a famous Hebrew wedding vows phrase, then goes on a journey trying to explain it through this song. The videoclip is a classic stop-motion, that accompanies a lady trying to write her wedding vows for her wife.
Director: Alma Kalbermann
Script: Alma Kalbermann
Producer: Alma Kalbermann
With: Sharon Hindi, Yaara Haleva
Veata Tavo
Israel, 2024, 3 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
The film depicts the protagonist’s yearning for love in a space of spiritual dryness. Throughout the video, the dancer appears as the object of the protagonist’s love—an illusion that gradually draws closer, sometimes distancing and evading. The video features camera play with scales, spaces, and more.
Director: Ari Gilad
Script: Ari Gilad
Producer: Ehevi Nachmani
With: Ofek Ifrah Azulay, Ofek Saada
Turning Around
Israel, 2025, 3 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Set to a lesbian pop song, the video, filmed in Arnhem, Netherlands, tells a story of a complex gender identity that lives within us and accompanies us – sometimes haunting, when we just want to be one simple and clear thing, all through the life of a dancer and the shadow of the feminine energy within him, on a journey to accept it as part of him.
Director: Alma Kalbermann
Script: Alma Kalbermann, Hagar Shafrir, Yaara Haleva
Producer: Alma Kalbermann
With: Amit Palgi, Mariona Vinyes Ràfols
Y.L. Perez
Israel, 2025, 3 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
The music video for the song “Y.L. Peretz” portrays the escapades of Tel Aviv’s streets, known for their “chill” activities—group gatherings in private homes for sex, drugs, and socializing. Created using AI by Uriel Peer, the video highlights the contrast between the experience itself and the speaker’s loneliness.
Director: Oriel Peer
Script: Oriel Peer
Producer: Oriel Peer
Love Is Everywhere
Israel, 2024, 4 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Times of distance and Co-vid19, Pride Month. All you can do is connect through art. Alma and Assaf’s love song becomes the Pride Month anthem for the first time in collaboration with all the LGBTQ+ communities and organizations from across the country, and queer celebrities from all over the rainbow such as Orna Banai, Yizhar Cohen, Moran Rosenblatt, Yedidia Vital and more.
Director: Alma Kalbermann
Script: Alma Kalbermann
Producer: Alma Kalbermann
With: Alma Kalbermann, Asaf Orr, Moran Rosenblatt, Yedidia Vital, Orna Banai, Yoni Livne, Adi Carmeli, Chen Amram, Reut Nagar, Shir Reuven, Tess Hashiloni, Sivan Noam Shimon, Anat Nir, David Lavi, Yizhar Cohen
The Rabbi of the Kaparot
Israel, 2025, 2 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
“The Rabbi of the Kaparot” is a bold, satirical protest song by Zehavit Sabag, performed by Naama Cohen. It critiques patriarchy, religious control, and homophobia, spotlighting the struggles of Mizrahi and queer women through powerful, feminist, and emotionally charged storytelling.
Director: Zehavit Sabag
Script: Zehavit Sabag
Producer: Zehavit Sabag
With: Naama Hacohen
Pipes
Israel, 2024, 4 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
“Pipes” is an experimental, multi-layered music video that unfolds as a collage of images and thoughts. Blending dense editing with overlapping visuals, it captures the tension between confusion and clarity, suffocation and freedom. What emerges is an intimate journey through emotional chaos, tracing the delicate line between restraint and release.
Director: Noam Peri
Script: Noam Peri
Producer: Noam Peri
With: Noam Peri
All That Is Left
Israel, 2025, 4 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
A video clip for the Rutie Stern song – All That Is Left – a lesbian love song that was written in time of war.
Director: Lior Klein Stern
Script: Tomily Shani and Lior Klein Stern
Producer: Lior Klein Stern
Animation: Shani Tomili
The Boy With The Boogie
Israel, 2025, 4 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Music video for the single by Udi Schneider.
Director: Tamar Miron
Script: Tamar Miron
Producer: Maxim Pevzner
With: Udi Schneider
Ima
Israel, 2025, 3.56 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
In the song and music video, Yuval explores his relationship with his mother — from childhood to the present day — from a personal and proud perspective. Beyond the personal connection, Yuval also examines the relationship between gay men and their mothers in general — a unique and often very strong bond, with a very deep understanding that begins already from the closet and continues through later stages. Questions about the closet arise already in childhood — “You didn’t always know, but you guessed, I’m sure.” Issues of body image during adolescence are also addressed — “Carelessly plucking hairs — you came with tweezers and shaped my eyebrows.” There’s also the need to help his mother understand the difficulty of finding a partner within the community — “When you ask about a boyfriend, you want me to be happy. What can I do, Mom, when I have nothing at all?” It’s hard for me with boys, and it’s hard for boys with me. I wish it were easier; I’d bring him to Friday dinner.” The video itself is colorful — in terms of backgrounds, styling, and imagery: a pile of laundry, sitting on a chair in a classroom, a bathroom — images from childhood, colors, and desire.
Director: Guy Hazam
Producer: Guy Hazam
Mechiot Kapaiim
Israel, 2025, 4 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
In the song, Yuval describes loneliness and a desperate need for external validation. Sn a Friday evening, instead of a family Shabbat dinner, he finds himself alone in an apartment in Jerusalem, lying on the bed. He waits for likes and comments, he’s on Grindr, and no conversation leads anywhere. He’s hungry, searching for warmth and closeness, but encounters coldness, indifference, and the void only grows bigger and bigger.
It’s a personal experience, but it also reflects a broader phenomenon among gay men — in apps, in sex, in loneliness. The video is black and white, bleak, drawn from horror aesthetics. Heavy makeup, an empty and lonely Shabbat table, cold transparent plastic suffocating him, a flamenco dancer symbolizing the storm within, and a computer on the Shabbat table.
Director: Guy Hazam
Producer: Guy Hazam
TEN
Israel, 2025, 3 minutes
Music video for the song by Tom Schneid.
Director: Tom Schneid
Script: Tom Schneid
Producer: Tom Schneid
With: Tom Schneid, Jenny Penkin, Dana International
Venus Sucks - Israeli Short Films
The Cannibal Family
Israel, 2025, 7 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
A parody of family sitcoms.
In the Cannibal family, first love can be deadly. When Shahar falls for Idan, a classmate, she tries to resist her cannibalistic urges—but as her heart melts, her teeth take over. A dark horror comedy about a bizarre family, teenage love, and the eternal dilemma: to love… or to eat?
Director: Hadas Ginat
Script: Hadas Ginat
Producer: Edo Amit
With: Shir Ringer, Ron Ginat, Mika Yaari, Merev Boros, Itzhak Zivoni
Ombra Mi Fu – Never Was A Shadow
Israel, 2025, 12 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Uria Elkayam is an opera singer and drag artist. This film tells the story of his journey — both personal and artistic—from a troubled teenage boy growing up in a tough neighborhood, in a family with no artistic background, to a celebrated performer gracing stages in Israel and around the world. Through music, heels, and a dress, Uria embraces his extraordinary talent and gender identity, transforming his life in the spotlight.
Director: Bar Amiga
Script: Bar Amiga
Producer: Bar Amiga
With: Uriya Elkayam
Nordau Strasse
Israel, 2025, 5 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
The mature and successful drag queen Susie Soufflé meets the young queen Sima Sensation on her way to the show. As they walk along Nordau Strasse, examining its present state against its glorious past, Susie discovers that Sima threatens her position and career.
Director: Hagai Ayad
Script: Hagai Ayad
Producer: Hagai Ayad
With: Oded Zaza Tsadok, Oz Sheffer
Backstage
Israel, 2025, 16 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
An inexperienced director and a young actor get locked in a theater after an audition. The unexpected night becomes a clash of artistic perspectives, but also a rare opportunity to connect, learn, and grow closer. Amid the chaos, an unexpected friendship blossoms — maybe even something more.
Director: Osnat Ben Zimra
Script: Osnat Ben Zimra
Producer: Ofir Cohen
With: Elad Shenkar, Amit Ruderman
Venus Sucks
Israel, 2025, 13 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Yana sets out with her sharp, shady friend Sheli for an afternoon adventure at the mall, determined to leave her innocent days behind. In search of a blue movie, fast food, and male attention, the girls drift into a series of unexpected encounters — and an unplanned lesson in the praises of the arts of seduction.
Director: Sivan Eyal
Script: Sivan Eyal
Producer: Hadar Amitay
With: Alma Yoels, Perah Bar Miniely , Avigayil Rose, Itamar Levi , Matan Guggenheim, Natalie Amosi , Dima Bogoslaviz, Alex Korpatov
The Tragedy of the Lady
Israel, 2025, 16 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Hannah, a young actress, is forced to compete for the role of Lady Macbeth against her friend, whom she secretly loves.
Director: Doron Neeman
Script: Doron Neeman
Producer: Kama Swartz
With: Noa Kedar Lin Asherov Esti Zkaiem
Blue Window - Israeli Short Films
La Vie en Rose
Israel, 2025, 4 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Nadav fantasizes about the man of his dreams, but life has other plans for him.
Director: Ayelet Baras
Script: Ayelet Baras
Producer: Ayelet Baras
With: Nadav Raviv, Sagi Oz
Dance
Israel, 2025, 2 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
A young transgender woman in a closet confronts her sexual demons through dance. An experimental animated film.
Director: Ido Dvora
Script: Ido Dvora
Producer: Ido Dvora
A Woman of Valor
Israel, 2025, 3 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
A Woman of Valor follows the personal journey of a Mizrahi lesbian woman as she tries to find her place within her religious and traditional world. Reflecting on her childhood in a Mizrahi household, where women’s roles were.
Director: Zehavut Sabag
Script: Zehavut Sabag
Producer: Zehavut Sabag
With: Adia Nagar Mimon
Blue Window
Israel, 2025, 7 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Nitay and I have been friends for a few years. We met when we moved in together with other friends to a communal apartment in Afula. On her last night in the city, just before moving to Tel Aviv, we sat down for a conversation that stretched late into the night. Between getting ready to meet a hookup and packing the last of her things, we talked about her life , about men, control, love, connection. Through her words, a portrait emerges, not only of Nitay herself, but of an emotional and queer experience of identity, at a moment when something ends, and something else might just begin.
Director: Ofir Ouliel
Script: Ofir Ouliel
Producer: Ofir Ouliel
With: Nitay Nadivi
Catalyst
Israel, 2025, 3 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
In a romantic encounter between Ella and Gaia,
desires coil around vulnerability like rope on bare flesh.
They share a one-time, intimate experience.
Before Ella can return to her senses, Gaia leaves—
leaving her bound to memory,
to a moment left unfinished,
to the question, what now?
From the void that opens,
an inner struggle for balance begins,
between the need for control and the need for release,
between loss and self-discovery.
Ella’s solitude transforms— from rupture to beginning.
Director: Naama Asor
Script: Naama Asor
Producer: Naama Asor
With: Ella, Gaia
Redreaming Us
Israel, 2024, 7 minutes, Dialogue-free film
How can one write love with images? How do you describe your love life without a single word? Is it even possible? Can we redream our lives? Can we gaze upon the edge of our lives and come back unharmed?
Director: Yossi Waxman
Script: Yossi Waxman
Producer: Yossi Waxman
Will We Always Have Paris?
Israel, 2025, 5 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
In 2024, as war echoed in Israel, we spent a month in Paris with my partner. Edith, my devoted Filipino caregiver, came too. Since my accident, I have been dependent on her. In uncertain times like these days, I search for where home really is.
Director: Rona Soffer
Script: Rona Soffer
Producer: Rona Soffer
With: Edith Bandoy, Rona Soffer
Carousel
Israel, 2024, 10 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
The film follows a couple and their friend visiting from London during their vacation at the Dead Sea on October 7, 2023. The experience is depicted through three time periods, shifting from denial to moments of rupture.
Director: Guy Hamiel
Script: Guy Hamiel
Producer: Guy Hamiel
With: Amit Berman, Christopher Hartmann, Guy Hamiel
The Wall and Me
Israel, 2025, 6 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
“The Wall and Me” is a visual journey through powerful graffiti, capturing the voice and color of the LGBTQ+ community. Street art becomes a bold expression of identity, protest, love, and the freedom to be.
Director: Kobi Yonatan
Script: Kobi Yonatan
Producer: Kobi Yonatan
Matryoshka - Israeli Short Films
My Other Half
Israel, 2025, 20 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Amit feels that he is finally reinventing himself, in the glittering bubble of art students in Jerusalem. But when his “other half”, his eccentric best friend from back home comes on a surprise visit, things get out of control.
Director: Hanan Brandes
Script: Hanan Brandes
Producer: Yarden Avriel
With: Nir Knaan, Yaeli Rosenblit, Ziv Besor
Kippur
Israel, 2025, 13 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Aviad, a devout Jewish boy, starts his first fast of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of atonement in Jewish tradition. But a nocturnal incident during the fast shakes his inner world and threatens his identity.
Director: Uriya Hertz
Script: Uriya Hertz
Producer: Tal Moskovich, Matan Glazovsky – Daisy Films
With: Ethan Saad, Daniel Barkai, Asaf Peri, Tamar Alkan Meushar
Crownless Queen of the Garden
Israel, 2025, 20 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Alon, the film’s director, returns to a trauma they experienced during their nights as a sex worker in Jerusalem. Through the power of cinema, they seek to reclaim control over a painful memory — and to retell the story that left a lasting scar.
Director: Alon Retter
Script: Alon Retter
Producer: Lev Orlov
With: Alon Retter, Meshi Kazaz
Matryoshka
Israel, 2025, 17 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Daniel struggles to write his new script about Lily, a young photographer and escort. Confused and lost, he sets out to explore her world in a narrative that walks the line between fiction and documentary.
Director: Almog Haller
Script: Almog Haller
Producer: Almog Haller
With: Yoav Rosenberg, Inbar Livne, Kati Singer-Haller, Udi Razzin
Photos of Her - Israeli Short Films
LOSS
Israel, 2025, 14 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Goni is nine. She always runs faster than the boys. Always scores more goals. Until one day, they decide they’ve had enough. Her brother finds her in the yard, rinsing blood from her knees. He carries her into the desert. There, he teaches her how to defend herself among red rocks and wide silence. Fourteen minutes of quiet rupture, about the cost of being who you are, when that’s exactly what no one wants to see.
Director: Sivan Levy Zakin
Script: Sivan Levy Zakin
Producer: Rotem & Sivan Levy Zakin
With: Gili Weiss, Amit Rahav
In Pigeons Blood
Israel, 2025, 7 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Chaya (30) returns to her parents’ home, and together with her mother Larisa, tries to work through a traumatic childhood memory.
Director: Hod Adler, Chaya Moshayev
Script: Hod Adler, Chaya Moshayev
Producer: Lev Orlov
With: Chaya Moshayev, Larisa Moshayev
And a Whisper Will Be Heard
Israel, 2025, 22 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Adi, 14, was born into a gay co-parenting family. As he grows up, the tense balance at his father’s home begins to crack. When their relationship is put to the test, Adi faces his world, and his home, upended.
Director: Yuval Parnass-Mader
Script: Yuval Parnass-Mader
Producer: Alina Alexa Osipova
With: Raphael Gross, Eyal Schecter, Ami Weinberg, Nili Tserruya
Kamad
Israel, 2025, 14 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Alone in her apartment, 24-year-old Amal is coping with her anxiety with soap and water. The more she cleans, the dirtier she feels. She is holding onto forbidden desire – and it is threatening to break her.
Director: Anna Maria Hawa
Script: Anna Maria Hawa
Producer: Yonatan Shiray
With: Rama Nasrallah, Abeer Lawen
Photos of Her
Israel, 2025, 24 minutes, Hebrew with Hebrew subtitles
Shiri (33), a bourgeois and conservative woman, planned her perfect maternity photo shoot, but the one who comes to photograph her is Lidor (35), a liberal trans woman. When Shiri’s husband leaves the photo shoot in the middle, the meeting between the two different women raises demons and questions about their changing bodies and their identity in the world.
Director: Bar Cohen
Script: Bar Cohen
Producer: Lev Orlov, Rotem Grosman
With: Lioz Levi, Shaylee Atary