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Welcome to Gilbert Baker Film Festival-GBFF Ping & Jen

Gilbert Baker!

The Rainbow Flag Landmark San Francisco California

Love Gilbert (2020)A film by Vincent Guzzone. A heartfelt look back over the life and career of Gilbert Baker, creator of the LGBTQ Rainbow Flag. From his childhood in Kansas to San Francisco in the 1970s to a historic meeting with Barak Obama in 2016. This film was created for PERFORMAnCE, POLITICS &amp; PROTEST, The ART of GILERT BAKER an exhibit at the GLBT Museum in San Francisco, California.

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Love Gilbert (2020)

Love Gilbert (2020) A film by Vincent Guzzone. A heartfelt look back over the life and career of Gilbert Baker, creator of the LGBTQ Rainbow Flag. From his childhood in Kansas to San Francisco in the 1970s to a historic meeting with Barak Obama in 2016. This film was created for PERFORMAnCE, POLITICS & PROTEST, The ART of GILERT BAKER an exhibit at the GLBT Museum in San Francisco, California.

The Radical (2023) Muhsin Hendricks is the world's first openly gay imam. Despite opposition, he established a radically inclusive mosque in Cape Town. Now, he fights for LGBTQ Muslims to be embraced in the countries where their existence is outlawed. The Radical is an intimate portrait of Muhsin Hendricks: a fashion designer in Cape Town, South Africa, who became the world's first openly gay imam; a Muslim religious leader. Despite death threats and opposition, he established the radically-inclusive mosque that started the global queer Muslim network. The film provides first-person accounts of growing up queer in a society caught between the liberalism of the South African Constitution and the conservativeness of its cultures and history. In the wider African context, it chronicles individual journeys to acceptance amidst the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. An intimate portrait of Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam, who, despite death threats, established the radically-inclusive mosque in South Africa that gave rise to the global Queer Muslim movement.LONG SYNOPSISTHE RADICAL is an intimate portrait of the world’s first openly gay imam. Muhsin Hendricks was a fashion designer in South Africa, who struggled to reconcile his sexuality with his faith. He studied in Pakistan to become an imam—a religious leader—so that he could understand Islam more deeply. After deciding that he had to be truthful to himself and the world, he came out in 1995, and established the radically-inclusive mosque in Cape Town that gave rise to the global queer Muslim network. Today, Hendricks leads a devoted group of LGBTQ+ Muslims and allies, based in a working-class neighborhood of the city. He decides to take his work to where it is needed most: the East African communities living under anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The film provides first-person accounts of growing up queer in a society caught between the liberalism of the South African Constitution and the conservativeness of its cultures and history. In the wider African context, it chronicles individual journeys to acceptance amidst the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights on the continent.Director Richard Finn GregoryCo-Writers Richard Finn Gregory, Khalid Shamis, S.A.G.E.Producer Richard Finn GregoryExecutive Producer Daniel KarslakeEditors Khalid Shamis, S.A.G.E.

The Radical (2023)

3000 Lesbians Go To York (2025) A documentary that tells the extraordinary true story of how a lesbian bookseller (who also happened to be trans) created the largest gathering of LGBTQ+ women in the UK, and how from 1998 to 2008, the quietly conservative city of York became the unlikely centre of all things lesbian! For one thrilling decade, thousands of women flocked to the York Lesbian Arts Festival (YLAF) each autumn, to meet their favourite authors, buy books, hear top female artists live on stage and dance the night away at the ‘disco of a thousand lesbians.’ Director Biography - Rachel Dax <a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/433/998/original/1783190c8e-headshot.jpg?1751979149" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/433/998/thumb/1783190c8e-headshot.jpg?1751979149" width="254" style="border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; position: relative;"></a> Director Biography - Rachel Dax Rachel Dax is an award-winning Writer, Director and Producer of Film and Audio Drama, as well as a Novelist and a University Lecturer.After many years making short films (including Time &amp; Again starring Dame Siân Phillips and Brigit Forsyth which won at OUTFEST Hollywood and was acquired by the BBC) Rachel moved into making feature length documentaries.Her 2024 film Greer Ralston - Giving It All To Art is currently playing at festivals worldwide and will be broadcast by BBC Scotland in the autumn, after which it will be available on BBC iPlayer for two years.During 2024/25, Rachel has collaborated as the Director and Co-Producer of 3000 Lesbians Go To York – a fascinating documentary about the York Lesbian Arts Festival which ran between 1998-2008. This film has already been accepted into an array of festivals across the globe.Director StatementIn my work as a creative, I endeavour to use Film, Audio Drama and Literature as a method to explore and disseminate knowledge about LGBTQ+ lives, identities, histories and cultures. Therefore, when I was approached by Lesbian Historian Jane Traies to make this project, I agreed straightaway. Women, and particularly lesbians, have been consistently written out of and ignored by mainstream History, so in recent years, the lesbians have taken it upon themselves to ensure that they are written back in. By documenting the York Lesbian Arts Festival, I know I am contributing to a lasting record of its success, meaning and memory and I am proud to be a part of it. Please tell us your motivation for making your film:To ensure that such an iconic event in lesbian fiction and music history does not forgotten. What are the themes and central messages you wanted to convey with your submission?:That lesbian history is important and lesbian stories should be told. Credits: Rachel DaxDirector Rachel DaxProducer Jane TraiesProducer Kate O'DwyerProducer Jane TraiesInterviewer Specs: Project Type:Documentary, FeatureRuntime:1 hour 7 minutes 45 secondsCompletion Date:July 8, 2025Production Budget:15,000 GBPCountry of Origin:United KingdomCountry of Filming:United KingdomLanguage:EnglishShooting Format:DigitalAspect Ratio:16:9Film Color:ColorFirst-time Filmmaker:NoStudent Project:NoDirector

3000 Lesbians Go To York (2025)

A documentary that tells the extraordinary true story of how a lesbian bookseller (who also happened to be trans) created the largest gathering of LGBTQ+ women in the UK, and how from 1998 to 2008, the quietly conservative city of York became the unlikely centre of all things lesbian! For one thrilling decade, thousands of women flocked to the York Lesbian Arts Festival (YLAF) each autumn, to meet their favourite authors, buy books, hear top female artists live on stage and dance the night away at the ‘disco of a thousand lesbians.’

Bombacha (2025) Edu, is a young Brazilian Drag Queen in Buenos Aires' underground nightlife. He dreams of a grander life: Europe, romance, and transitioning into the woman he sometimes sees in the mirror. A marriage of convenience with a Dutch man offers him hope, but in the Netherlands his dreams crumble. Returning to Buenos Aires he finds his old life unrecognizable. Struggling with identity and love, Edu questions his place in drag and whether the roles he’s played reflect who he truly is. Bombacha definitions:Rural Garment: In Argentina and Uruguay, loose-fitting, baggy trousers—gathered at the ankles—traditionally worn for rural work are called *bombachas gauchas*. Women's intimate apparel: In countries of the Southern Cone (such as Argentina, Uruguay, and Bolivia), this refers to the undergarment that covers the genital area and the buttocks. Elsewhere, it is known as *braga*, *panty*, or *calzón*.

Bombacha (2025)

Introduction Dr. B. Danielle Watkins for Duplicity (2026)

Introduction Dr. B. Danielle Watkins for Duplicity (2026)

Duplicity (2026) Angel and her best friend Janet have shared an unbreakable bond for over three decades. When Angel got engaged to Tripp, a strong and devoted partner, their lives seemed perfect. However, someone close to them watched with growing envy. Little did they know, the shadows of jealousy and betrayal were lurking nearby, ready to unravel their perfect world in the most unexpected way. Director Biography - B Danielle Watkins<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/742/889/original/e98481a750-headshot.jpg?1767031928" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/742/889/thumb/e98481a750-headshot.jpg?1767031928" width="253" style="border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; position: relative;"></a> Director Biography - B Danielle WatkinsB. Danielle began laying the foundation for her illustrious career at the age of nine, and by 15, she had her first poem published in the prestigious "Poetry Gems Collection," presented by the Famous Poets Society. In 2011, she launched her literary journey with the publication of her first novel, and by 2013, she transitioned into writing for film, further expanding her artistic repertoire. Over the last decade, B. Danielle has established herself as a two-time Best Selling Author and an International Impact Author Award Winner, boasting numerous accolades in both literature and film. She boldly made history as the first and only African American filmmaker to write, produce, and star in a REVRY original series.In 2024, driven by a desire to push her creative boundaries and inspired by one of her childhood favorites, B. Danielle crafted a groundbreaking new style of writing: the choose-your-own-adventure format. Her sixth novel, "The Killing of Madison McGhee" (Halo International Publishing, 2024), invites readers to step into the role of detectives, empowering them to solve the mystery on their own terms. Innovative, fearless, and unapologetically creative, B. Danielle has transformed this genre and is poised to soar beyond the stars.

Duplicity (2026)

Angel and her best friend Janet have shared an unbreakable bond for over three decades. When Angel got engaged to Tripp, a strong and devoted partner, their lives seemed perfect. However, someone close to them watched with growing envy. Little did they know, the shadows of jealousy and betrayal were lurking nearby, ready to unravel their perfect world in the most unexpected way.

Na Aavadti Goshta (2026) Na Aavadti Goshta is a story of two small town cousin sisters Avantika &amp; Soha who hate eachother. The sisters can't see eye to eye and are poles opposite. One an eternal optimist and the other a pessimist. But they both harbour similar dreams. Dreams of making it big in the city of London. Dreams of finding their voice and identity. As fate has it they get a chance to make their dreams come true. In this process they form a bond with eachother that never existed. They realised that family does matter in an alien country. They both get over their inhibitions. Soha the younger sister is a Queer and her coming out with it, and how Avantika deals with it and becomes Soha's voice and strength forms the narrative. The film is a beautiful journey of love, romance, acceptance and coming of age. Director Biography - Sai Deodhar<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/113/287/original/705ee555b5-headshot.jpg?1772959050" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/113/287/thumb/705ee555b5-headshot.jpg?1772959050" width="217" style="border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; position: relative;"></a>Director Biography - Director Biography - Sai Deodhar Sai Deodhar is an acclaimed Indian director, writer, and producer known for crafting emotionally resonant, socially relevant stories. After a successful acting career, she transitioned behind the camera, establishing a distinctive voice rooted in empathy and realism. Her short film D.A.T.E. won 78 international awards, earned a Filmfare nomination, and was acquired by Zee5, while Silent Ties won over 30 awards and streams on Amazon Prime. Sai has also produced the Zee5 biopic The Sholay Girl on India’s first stuntwoman, Reshma Pathan. She is currently completing her Hindi feature Bina Shakkar Ki Chai and recently finished the Marathi feature Na-Avadti Goshta, which sensitively explores LGBTQIA+ themes. Sai continues to push boundaries, championing inclusive narratives through cinema. Director Statement - Sai DeodharNa Aavadti Goshta was born from a desire to tell a story about love that society often refuses to acknowledge. Growing up in a culture where certain emotions and identities are silenced, I wanted to explore what happens when two people are forced to confront feelings they themselves were never taught to understand.Avantika and Soha begin as opposites—two cousins who cannot stand each other—yet their journey reveals how deeply human the search for identity, belonging, and love truly is. By placing them in a foreign land, away from familiar boundaries, their emotional truths slowly surface.This film is not just about sexuality; it is about self-discovery, empathy, and the courage to accept who we are. My hope is that Na Aavadti Goshta opens conversations and reminds audiences that love, in all its forms, deserves dignity, understanding, and space to exist. Na Aavadti Goshta (which translates to "A [Dis]liked Story" in Marathi) is a coming-of-age Marathi film centered around the journey of two sisters, their family dynamics, and the LGBTQIA+ community. It is a touching yet humorous exploration of identity, acceptance, and the importance of familial support for queer individuals.The film marks the directorial debut of Sai Deodhar and stars a prominent cast including Mrunmayee Deshpande, Sayali Sanjeev, Suvrat Joshi, and Resham Shrivardhan Please tell us your motivation for making your film:Na Aavadti Goshta explores the complexity of relationships that begin with conflict but evolve into understanding. Through the story of two cousin sisters, Avantika and Soha—complete opposites who can’t stand each other—the film examines how rivalry, ambition, and shared dreams shape identity. Their journey from a small town to London becomes not only a pursuit of opportunity but also a path toward self-discovery and reconciliation. I was drawn to the idea that sometimes the people we resist the most become the ones who help us grow. Ultimately, the film celebrates the messy, transformative nature of family, sisterhood, and chasing one’s dreams. What are the themes and central messages you wanted to convey with your submission?:At its core, Na Aavadti Goshta explores the complexity of human relationships, particularly those shaped by rivalry, misunderstanding, and shared history. The story of Avantika and Soha reflects how people who seem fundamentally different can, through circumstance and emotional growth, develop empathy and understanding for one another. One of the central themes of the film is the evolution of relationships. The two protagonists begin their journey in conflict, unable to see beyond their differences. However, as they navigate challenges together, their rivalry gradually transforms into a deeper bond. The film suggests that conflict within close relationships is often a reflection of deeper emotional connections. Another key theme is the search for identity and belonging. Both characters come from a small-town background and share a dream of building a life beyond the limitations of their environment. Their journey to a new city symbolizes the universal desire among young people to discover who they are and where they belong. The film also explores the contrast between optimism and pessimism. Avantika’s hopeful outlook and Soha’s skepticism represent two different ways of approaching life’s uncertainties. Through their interactions, the narrative highlights how these opposing perspectives can ultimately complement and balance one another. Ultimately, the central message of Na Aavadti Goshta is that personal growth often emerges from uncomfortable relationships and unexpected companionship. Sometimes the people we struggle with the most become the ones who help us understand ourselves better. The film celebrates the messy, evolving nature of family, the courage to pursue one’s dreams, and the possibility of finding connection in the most unlikely places. Credits: Sai DeodharDirector Sai DeodharWriter Ashwini ShendeWriter Amit MalhotraProducer Kapil MalhotraProducer Nikhil BrahamaniaProducer Mrunmayee DeshpandeKey Cast Sayali SanjivKey Cast Suvrat JoshiKey Cast Resham ShrivardhanKey Cast Uday TikekarKey Cast Varsha GhatpandeKey Cast Usha NaikKey Cast Nikhil RatnaparkhiKey Cast Sneha RaikarKey Cast Saksham KulkarniKey Cast Specs: Project Type:FeatureRuntime:2 hoursCompletion Date:July 21, 2025Production Budget:350,000 USDCountry of Origin:IndiaCountry of Filming:United KingdomLanguage:MarathiShooting Format:35mmAspect Ratio:16:9Film Color:ColorFirst-time Filmmaker:YesStudent Project:No <a href="https://glamsham.com/regional/regional-news/marathi-film-na-aavadti-goshta-to-centre-around-subject-of-lgbtqia/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://glamsham.com/regional/regional-news/marathi-film-na-aavadti-goshta-to-centre-around-subject-of-lgbtqia/</a> <a href="https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64013287/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64013287/</a>

Na Aavadti Goshta (2026)

Duplicity (2026) with Open English Captions / Subtitles - Coming during GBFF2026 (hopefully)

Duplicity (2026) with Open English Captions / Subtitles - Coming during GBFF2026 (hopefully)

Who Said There Will Be a Walk in Time (2018) A visual study which sketches the forms and outlines, the margins of queer kinships lived and practiced by the local queer community of post-socialist Split, Croatia. Taking kinship as a living experience of mutuality, the film sketches forms and outlines the margins of queer kinships lived and practiced by the local queer community of post-socialist Split. Director Biography - Masha GodovannayaMasha Godovannaya is a visual artist, queer-feminist researcher, curator, and educator, born in Moscow, Russia. Masha considers her films and installations audiovisual experiences blending personal, subjective elements with more concrete observations of the external world and social context. Approaching art production as collective action, her artistic practice is closely connected to artistic research and draws on combinations of approaches and spheres such as moving image theory, sociology, feminist studies, queer theory, and contemporary art. At the end of 2015 together with group of artists, activists, and social researches from St. Petersburg, Russia, she co-founded a queer-feminist affinity art group “Unwanted Organisation” (https://faagunwanted.wordpress.com/) Please tell us your motivation for making your film:to establish and nourish a queer kinship through filmmaking and a film What are the themes and central messages you wanted to convey with your submission?:it's a portrait of the LGBTQ+ community of Split, Croatia Director Biography - Masha Godovannaya<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/595/622/original/bca5a6cc7e-headshot.jpg?1756274574" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/003/595/622/thumb/bca5a6cc7e-headshot.jpg?1756274574" style="border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; position: relative;" width="235"></a>Director Biography - Masha GodovannayaMasha Godovannaya (born 1976, Moscow, USSR/Russia) is an experimental filmmaker, queer-feminist researcher, curator, and educator. Approaching art production as artistic research and collective action, Masha’s artistic and scholarly practices draw on combinations of approaches and spheres such as moving image theory, experimental cinema, and DIY video tradition, social science, post-soviet/postsocialists studies, queer theory, and decolonial methodologies.Masha holds an MFA degree in Film/Video from Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts, Bard College, USA, an MA degree in Sociology from European University in St. Petersburg, Russia, and a PhD in Practice at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Austria.Masha’s films and visual works have been shown at festivals and art venues such as the International Film Festival Rotterdam, International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, BFI London Film Festival, Ann Arbor International Film Festival, European Media Art Festival, Vienna Shorts Film Festival, Engauge Experimental Film Festival, Experiments in Cinema, Manifesta 10, 7th Liverpool Biennial, Tate Modern, Centre Georges Pompidou, The Ludwig Museum at the Russian Museum, and others.Masha’s works are distributed by Light Cone (Paris), The Collectif Jeune Cinéma (Paris), Filmmakers’ Cooperative (New York), and The CYLAND Video Archive (New York). These works are included in the collections of The State Russian Museum (St. Petersburg), and Österreichisches Filmmuseum (Vienna). Credits:Masha GodovannayaDirector Masha GodovannayaWriter Specs: Project Type:Documentary, Experimental, ShortRuntime:42 minutes 3 secondsCompletion Date:August 20, 2018Country of Origin:AustriaCountry of Filming:CroatiaLanguage:Croatian, English, RussianShooting Format:DigitalAspect Ratio:16:9Film Color:ColorFirst-time Filmmaker:NoStudent Project:NoDigital Cinema Package:Unavailable <a href="https://mashagodovannaya.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mashagodovannaya.wordpress.com/</a>

Foreign Language Subtitles 

Who Said There Will Be a Walk in Time (2018)

Highly Explosive ~ Blindgǎnger (2025) In the center of Hamburg, the discovery of an unexploded bomb from the Second World War not only leads to a far-reaching evacuation, but also to an interpersonal state of emergency. A tragicomic episodic film that weaves together stories of resilience and connection in a city on the brink. Captivating, human, and deeply moving.In the heart of Hamburg, the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb not only leads to a large-scale evacuation but also triggers an emotional state of emergency. As residents are forced to confront their long-suppressed fears and traumas, unexpected encounters arise amid the chaos—meetings that would never have happened under normal circumstances.With BLINDGÄNGER, award-winning director Kerstin Polte presents a moving and profound drama, brought to life by an outstanding and diverse ensemble cast — including Anne Ratte-Polle, Haley Louise Jones, Bernhard Schütz, Claudia Michelsen, Daniel Sträßer, Karl Markovics, Ivar Wafaei, Lukas von Horbatschewsky, and many more.Like a kaleidoscope of fates, BLINDGÄNGER tells its story with sensitivity, subtle tension, and a touch of warm humor. From various perspectives, the film explores intergenerational trauma, the search for human connection, and unexpected solidarity amidst chaos.With empathy and narrative finesse, the director intertwines personal destinies with the pressing question of emotional resilience in an uncertain world — casting a curious, tender gaze upon what binds us together when everything else seems to fall apart. Director Biography - Kerstin Polte <a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/850/026/original/08321d1479-headshot.jpg?1751282721" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/850/026/thumb/08321d1479-headshot.jpg?1751282721" width="219" style="border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; position: relative;"></a>Director Biography - Kerstin Polte Director and screenwriter Kerstin Polte completed her film education in the film class at HfG Karlsruhe and at the Zurich University of the Arts. She was a fellow at the Munich Screenwriting Workshop and the European directing program EKRAN. Her graduation film, 510 METERS ABOVE THE SEA, was screened at over 150 international film festivals and marked the beginning of her successful career. LAST ROUND premiered at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival. In 2016, she released the award-winning documentary KEIN ZICKENFOX, which showcases the world's largest women’s wind orchestra.Kerstin's first feature film, CLOUD WHISPERS, was critically acclaimed and won several prestigious awards, including the Bavarian Film Award for Best Emerging Director.As an advocate for queer and feminist narratives, Kerstin Polte directed various episodes of the series WIR and BECOMING CHARLIE, the latter receiving numerous awards and a nomination for the German Television Award for Best Drama Series. Her work captivates both audiences and critics. She has established herself as an innovative and influential filmmaker in the German film landscape.Kerstin Polte is a member of the German Film Academy, serves on the board of ProQuote Film, and lives in Berlin with her two children and a very old cat. Director StatementBLINDGÄNGER is a film about crisis – and about what remains possible, despite everything. Personal, societal, and interpersonal upheavals define our times. Whether in the streets, in politics, or at the dinner table with family –little bombs are ticking everywhere.And yet – or perhaps because of that – this film tells a story of hope in a state of emergency. What happens when, in spite of fear, anger, and disorientation, we move toward one another? When we don't look away, but choose to see – maybe even with a small smile?The film explores the tensions that simmer beneath the surface – in relationships, within ourselves, in our attempts to live together. It’s about people who are strangers – and who, in a moment of deepest uncertainty, suddenly recognize each other. And yes, sometimes things explode. But sometimes, something new is born. Something tender. A connection where once there was only distance.For me, BLINDGÄNGER is deeply personal. My own family history echoes throughout it.And at the same time, the film is bigger than I am. It’s the result of a collaborative adventure with people who became family along the way. Together we told stories, laughed, cried, improvised – and created a film that doesn’t strive for perfection, but for life. A kind of survival song. A puzzle made of courage, failure, new beginnings – and a whole lot of hope.Because sometimes, a single glance is enough. A “Hello.” A sincere “How are you?”Because who knows – maybe there’s a rabbit sitting in the shop window. Please tell us your motivation for making your film:BLINDGÄNGER grew out of something deeply personal — my own family history resonates throughout the film — but it became something larger than myself. We live in a world where small bombs are ticking everywhere: at the dinner table, in politics, on the street. I wanted to make a film that doesn't look away from that reality, but refuses to surrender to it. My motivation was to tell a story of resilience and humanity that is honest rather than sentimental, and alive rather than perfect. And the way we made it was inseparable from what the film is about. With a team that was 80% FLINTA* and queer, working on a low budget but with enormous collective commitment, the process itself became part of the film's DNA. The trust, the vulnerability, the creativity born out of limitation — all of that is woven into every frame. This film was a collaborative adventure — we laughed, cried, improvised together — and the people who made it became my family. It is a kind of survival song. A puzzle of courage, failure, and new beginnings. Because sometimes all it takes is a glance, a "hello," a genuine "how are you?" — and we almost missed each other entirely. *Women, Lesbian, Inter, Non-binary, Trans and Agender What are the themes and central messages you wanted to convey with your submission?:Highly Explosive uses the discovery of an unexploded WWII bomb in Hamburg as a metaphor for the buried traumas, fears, and longings we carry within us — individually and collectively. The film explores how personal, social, and interpersonal ruptures define our times: loneliness, mistrust, illness, displacement, grief, and the quiet violence of being unseen. Yet at its heart, it is a film about hope and human connection. Through a kaleidoscope of interwoven fates — queer, diverse, multigenerational — Highly Explosive asks: what happens when, despite fear and disorientation, we turn toward each other rather than away? The central message is both simple and urgent: solidarity, warmth, and genuine attention are not small things. They can be lifelines. Please list ANY possible CONTENT / TRIGGER Warnings:Panic attac, suspense, mental condition Credits: Kerstin PolteDirectorCloud whispers, Becoming Charlie, sookee- from seahorses &amp; closetsKerstin PolteWriterCloud whispersAndrea SchütteProducerPacification, Garage PeopleDirk DeckerProducerPacification, Garage PeopleSarah BornProducerCloud whispersRajko JazbecProducerCloud whispersAnne Ratte-PollteKey Cast"Lane"Black Box; I was, I am, I will be; Undine, That kind of summerHaley Louise JonesKey Cast"Ava"Ivy wie Ivy; Bones and Names; Liebes KindClaudia MichelsenKey Cast"Hanne"In a land that no longer exists; beat, Kudamm 63; The towerBarbara NüsseKey Cast"Margit"DarkIvar WafaeiKey Cast"Junis"RheingoldBernhard SchützKey Cast"Otto"The system; the black squareKarl MarkovicsKey Cast"Viktor"What you can see from here; The fox; The counterfeitersLukas von HorbatschewskyKey Cast"William" Katharina BühlerDirector of Photography Daniela HerzbergProduction Design Tanja LiebermannCostume design Julia WiedwaldEditing Aurora VögeliEditing Marion HaackCasting director Corinna ZinkOriginal sound Ephrem LüchingerComposers Daniel HobiComposers Stefanie GredigHair and Make-up Pia PaprzikHair and Make-up Specs: Project Title (Original Language):BlindgängerProject Type:FeatureGenres:Drama, Action, LGBTQIA+, Ensemble, EpisodicRuntime:1 hour 35 minutesCompletion Date:January 7, 2024Production Budget:2,000,000 EURCountry of Origin:GermanyCountry of Filming:GermanyLanguage:English, GermanShooting Format:DigitalAspect Ratio:1:2,35Film Color:ColorFirst-time Filmmaker:NoStudent Project:No <a href="https://www.missingfilms.de/index.php/filme/10-filme-neu/396-blindgaenger" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.missingfilms.de/index.php/filme/10-filme-neu/396-blindgaenger</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blindgaenger_film" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/blindgaenger_film</a> News &amp; Reviews"Premiere Highly Explosive at int. Filmfest Hamburg"Filmlöwin<a href="https://filmloewin.de/ffhh-2024-blindgaenger/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://filmloewin.de/ffhh-2024-blindgaenger/</a>"Highly explosive opens ABF Festival"Spot Media<a href="https://the-spot-mediafilm.com/news/festival-news/blindgaenger-eroeffnet-achtung-berlin-filmfestival/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://the-spot-mediafilm.com/news/festival-news/blindgaenger-eroeffnet-achtung-berlin-filmfestival/</a>"Review Highly Explosive"Filmlöwin<a href="https://filmloewin.de/ffhh-2024-blindgaenger/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://filmloewin.de/ffhh-2024-blindgaenger/</a>"Film Premiere "Blindgänger": Fears, Love, and Connection in an Extreme Situation"L-Mag<a href="https://www.l-mag.de/news-1010/filmpremiere-blindgaenger-aengste-liebe-und-verbundenheit-waehrend-einer-extremsituation.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.l-mag.de/news-1010/filmpremiere-blindgaenger-aengste-liebe-und-verbundenheit-waehrend-einer-extremsituation.html</a>"The multi-layered drama Highly Explosive showcases the strengths of Kerstin Polte."Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien-und-film/kino/film-blindgaenger-von-kerstin-polte-im-kino-110507697.html&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqv82BhZmOAxWhwQIHHeByK8AQFnoECBcQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2C0SowhAA_1wiXRI7qqtGG" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien-und-film/kino/film-blindgaenger-von-kerstin-polte-im-kino-110507697.html&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqv82BhZmOAxWhwQIHHeByK8AQFnoECBcQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2C0SowhAA_1wiXRI7qqtGG</a>"The Explosives of Life: Kerstin Polte’s gripping cinematic drama Blindgänger"Badische Zeitung<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.badische-zeitung.de/die-sprengsaetze-des-lebens-kerstin-poltes-spannendes-kinodrama-blindgaenger&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjK9YmNhZmOAxXe9QIHHeoDMLYQFnoECBkQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw1p7OXCs0Qm0Cqz2vNzrIOE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.badische-zeitung.de/die-sprengsaetze-des-lebens-kerstin-poltes-spannendes-kinodrama-blindgaenger&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjK9YmNhZmOAxXe9QIHHeoDMLYQFnoECBkQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw1p7OXCs0Qm0Cqz2vNzrIOE</a>"Highly Explosive: In her dramedy, Kerstin Polte explores the many facets of humanity – a poignant film with remarkable portraits of women"Die Rheinpfalz<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.rheinpfalz.de/kultur_artikel,-film-der-woche-kerstin-poltes-dramakom%25C3%25B6die-blindg%25C3%25A4nger-_arid,5777521.html&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi7p6HGhZmOAxUB3QIHHQWrBbIQFnoECBkQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2hr2i49G496nfbQ-gHEdZ4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.rheinpfalz.de/kultur_artikel,-film-der-woche-kerstin-poltes-dramakom%25C3%25B6die-blindg%25C3%25A4nger-_arid,5777521.html&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi7p6HGhZmOAxUB3QIHHQWrBbIQFnoECBkQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2hr2i49G496nfbQ-gHEdZ4</a>"Of buried legacies – both underground and in the soul – filmmaker Kerstin Polte has created a cinematic gem."Braunschweiger Zeitung<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de/kultur/article408974526/emotionaler-sprengstoff-filmemacherin-kommt-nach-braunschweig.html&amp;ved=2ahUKEwijkOz4hZmOAxV1_gIHHVzXOrwQFnoECBwQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw0uZ_tV91A9Y6Weu-zuWaWj" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de/kultur/article408974526/emotionaler-sprengstoff-filmemacherin-kommt-nach-braunschweig.html&amp;ved=2ahUKEwijkOz4hZmOAxV1_gIHHVzXOrwQFnoECBwQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw0uZ_tV91A9Y6Weu-zuWaWj</a>

Trigger, War, Family Drama, Mental Health, Panic attac, suspense, mental condition, Homophobia

Highly Explosive ~ Blindgǎnger (2025)

XX+XY (2022)Being a teenager is hard! How are you meant to navigate hormones, crushes, annoying family and schoolwork? But Jay’s got it even harder: joining a new school and trying to understand their body as they go through puberty as an intersex person. Luckily, they’ve got the support of old friend Sera, and a burgeoning new friendship with popular boy Wooram. But as hormones rage, the trio’s friendship becomes a very messy love triangle. Who will Jay choose and does who they’re attracted to dictate who they are? Born with both XX +XY chromosomes, Jay goes to a public high school when faced with choosing a gender. Jay hopes that by studying the boys and girls at the school, Jay can figure out which decision to make. But contrary to expectations, Jay's school life turns out to be more confusing than ever.Jay's childhood friend Sera makes a secret proposal to have the perfect first sexual experience together. To complicate things even more, Jay's classmate Wooram confesses his feelings for Jay. To make matters worse, the radio DJ Hwama suddenly shows up and threatens to reveal Jay's identity. What decision will Jay make in the midst of everything? Director Biography - Soh-Yoon LeeGraduated from the Theater Department at Sungkyunkwan University and completed the filmmaking course at the New York Film Academy. She currently works as a producer at Studio Dragon, a drama production company. Director Statement - Soh-Yoon LeeIt's been a while since LGBT people have appeared in the media. However, the biggest conflict for them has always been how to come out to the older generation. Now I want to move past that problem and talk about the future generation. What would it be like to tell the story of a person who is trying to make a decision for the future instead of hiding out out of fear being caught by their parents or neighbors? What would the person want most? These questions led to the plot of XX +XY.It is the age of choices, and your gender is now something you can choose. The parents of a Canadian child did not specify the gender of their baby so that the baby could choose its own gender when it grew up. Therefore, the baby's sex was listed as "Unknown." On the other hand, for most babies born as intersex, the parents make this decision at birth because they fear that the baby may have difficulties later in life in a world divided into males and females.What if a child can choose a gender and a parent supports the child's decision?If you could choose your gender, could you avoid gender conflict? These questions lead you to follow Jay's story, and the answer is quickly found: not always. Perhaps the root of all problems lies in a lack of respect and consideration. In this world where dichotomous thinking, social pressure to fit individuals into a stereotypical framework, and the attitude of considering something "different" as "wrong" are prevalent, a child born with XX +XY constantly agonizes over one's immature self and the choices they have to make: Who am I? Which is the right choice? Which choice would I not regret? I wanted to show that it is natural for adolescents with immature egos to continue to worry about themselves and the future, rather than dismissing those worries as something special. Please tell us your motivation for making your film:It's been a while since LGBT people have appeared in the media. However, the biggest conflict for them has always been how to come out to the older generation. Now I want to move past that problem and talk about the future generation. What would it be like to tell the story of a person who is trying to make a decision for the future instead of hiding out out of fear being caught by their parents or neighbors? What would the person want most? These questions led to the plot of XX +XY. It is the age of choices, and your gender is now something you can choose. The parents of a Canadian child did not specify the gender of their baby so that the baby could choose its own gender when it grew up. Therefore, the baby's sex was listed as "Unknown." On the other hand, for most babies born as intersex, the parents make this decision at birth because they fear that the baby may have difficulties later in life in a world divided into males and females. What if a child can choose a gender and a parent supports the child's decision? If you could choose your gender, could you avoid gender conflict? These questions lead you to follow Jay's story, and the answer is quickly found: not always. Perhaps the root of all problems lies in a lack of respect and consideration. In this world where dichotomous thinking, social pressure to fit individuals into a stereotypical framework, and the attitude of considering something "different" as "wrong" are prevalent, a child born with XX +XY constantly agonizes over one's immature self and the choices they have to make: Who am I? Which is the right choice? Which choice would I not regret? I wanted to show that it is natural for adolescents with immature egos to continue to worry about themselves and the future, rather than dismissing those worries as something special. Credits:Soh-Yoon LeeDirector Sung-Yeun HongWriter Yu Si-YeonProducer Hyun-Ho AhnKey Cast Woo-Sung ChoiKey Cast Ji-in KimKey Cast Specs:Project Title (Original Language):XX+XYProject Type:FeatureGenres:Drama, RomanceRuntime:2 hours 8 minutes 19 secondsCompletion Date:May 10, 2022Production Budget:800,000 USDCountry of Origin:South KoreaCountry of Filming:South KoreaLanguage:KoreanShooting Format:digitalAspect Ratio:2:1Film Color:ColorFirst-time Filmmaker:YesStudent Project:No

XX+XY (2022)

Introduction by John Tedeschi Beget (2026) for The Gilbert Baker Film Festival

Introduction by John Tedeschi Beget (2026) for The Gilbert Baker Film Festival

Beget (2026)

Foreign Language portions, Spanish Portions

Nowhere (2021)

Lakeview (2024) A queer ensemble comedy set over a weekend at the lake house of a group of lifelong friends A queer comedy about friends gathering for a divorce celebration at a lakeside retreat, exploring their bonds and personal journeys as they deal with life's challenges. When a queer friend group unites for a girls' weekend celebrating a divorce, their old feelings, new relationships, and shifting dynamics crash into each other in the shadow of summer’s dying light.Lakeview is a celebration of the power (and damage) of familiarity, what happens when lessons learned don’t lead to patterns broken, and how one song can change everything you know.Director Biography - Tara Thorne<a href="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/733/735/original/6127117b43-headshot.jpg?1713277066" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/press_kits/headshots/002/733/735/thumb/6127117b43-headshot.jpg?1713277066" width="212" style="border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; position: relative;"></a>Director Biography - Tara ThorneTara (she/her) is a recovering journalist in Nova Scotia. She lives in north end Halifax with her cats Winston and Gertie (not pictured).Director Statement - Tara ThorneQueer cinema has reached the point where the story doesn’t have to be about coming out, or the love that dare not speak its name, or an historical event in which we fought for our rights. It can be simply about the messiness of life, how complicated and intimate we can be with each other, that love comes in many forms and offers many functions. Even from within the same relationship, when we don’t agree on what those are.That’s what Lakeview is—a hangout weekend with a group of friends who are ex-partners, -lovers, and maybe -friends by the end of it. It’s about flawed, chaotic, addictive, but fundamentally good women who are just trying to find a little bit of happiness on their own terms. What happens when the sun comes up on a late night soaked in alcohol and shaken by emotional reckonings? We sing alittle song, rinse out the recycling, and keep on living.

Lakeview (2024)

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