The Films: 2024

Stay tuned for information on 2 more MQFF screenings in 2024!

A special benefit screening in Gravenhurst and MQFF After Dark!

The primary festival will be presented in association with Theatre Muskoka at the beautiful Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre in Bracebridge.

Date: Friday May 17th, 2024

Times:

6:00 p.m Doors Open
6:30 p.m. Short Films (5)
7:45 p.m. Film Maker Q & A
8:00 p.m. Short Films (5)
10:00pm Close

Quem e teu babe? / Who is your baby?

Synopsis Leopold Nunan, releases a single celebrating Brazilian new sounds. Influenced by Coco (Coconut), 'Quem e teu baby?" it's a exaltation to the rich Northeastern regional music of Brazil. All shot in Los Angeles this is how singer/performer Leopold Nunan it's...

The Wake

Synopsis Gerda (73) has just lost her husband. She has lived the perfect life, where appearances have been the most important thing to her. Now being alone she finds safety in perfection. This suddenly changes when she finds some letters in the basement from a male...

Stay

Synopsis Starring Canada's Drag Race legend Kendall Gender, Stay is a tender exploration of relationships. On their last night in town, Kaleb– known more commonly by the stage name Ivy Diamonds (Kendall Gender)– meets Ryan (Riley Davis), an artist from Vancouver. The...

The Pansy of Pickadee

Synopsis 'The Pansy of Pickadee' tells the story of a queer young man and a town on the verge of destruction. When all else fails, the young man uses his special skills to save his friends and family and becomes the hero he was born to be. Directed by Gus George and...

The Lesbian Lobster Song

Synopsis The rural lesbians of the north shore of Nova Scotia gather each spring to celebrate lobster season, and their voracious appetites, with feast and song. Director Biography - Liss Platt Liss Platt is a media artist whose works take the form of videotapes,...

Chavo

Synopsis Tommy’s grill is a meeting point for the Roma community. Here a tightly-knit but motley crew of people gather to eat and talk. When a lone young guy visits the restaurant one evening, rumors begin to spread and Tommy is forced to revisit traumatic memories....

Beach

Synopsis Karan is a transman, who recently had a gender affirmation surgery and something as trivial as going to the beach shirtless has been a dream and an act of liberation for him. Aditya, a cisman, has been a testimony to Karan’s struggle with gender dysphoria...

August

Synopsis After the death of their father, four siblings discover the truth of the first love he never shared with them. Taking place in the present day and in the 1980s, two generations of queer youth are finally able to connect in love and mourning. Director...

Aikane

Synopsis A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. Everything changes when the octopus who rescues him transforms into a handsome young man. Director Biography - Daniel Sousa, Dean Hamer, Joe...

Aging Out

Synopsis Weeks before she is about to turn 30, Jenn gets dumped by her longterm girlfriend for a in-the-know 22 year old. Will a wildly uncomfortable "meet-cute" help Jenn get her ex back? Director Biography - Breanne Williamson Writer and Director of...

7 short films will be screened in Huntsville at the Algonquin Theatre.

Wednesday, July 10th 7:00PM Tickets available at the Algonquin Theatre website

My Mother’s Girlfriend

Synopsis RENUKA and SADIYA, two working-class women in love with each other, enjoy their day out celebrating Renuka's birthday. After a fun-filled day, they head home to spend the night together. But unknown to them, RENUKA's son, MANGESH, is around. MY MOTHER'S...

Junior’s Giant

Synopsis A close-knit Grandfather and his trans Granddaughter struggle when his dementia sparks an imaginary giant and gender confusion, causing pain for them both. JUNIOR'S GIANT is based on writer Deb McGrath's real-life father's experience with Lewy Body dementia...

One More Please

Synopsis A lonely young man begins a playful drinking game with a handsome stranger. Director Biography - Aleksei Borovikov Aleksei Borovikov is an award-winning film and video director. He began his career by working on regional and national television in Russia for...

A Touch

Synopsis When Miril downloads the dating app for the first time, he comes across a profile of Gandhar and swipes right. Receiving a match after ages, Gandhar, who is craving for a human touch, gets excited and the conversation turns out fruitful. In this excitement,...

Stay

Emerald City

Synopsis Two young men cross paths on the back roads of the American Southwest and despite their different backgrounds, find common ground along the Border. Emerald City is an lgbtqia+ story of two young men: one who has aged out of foster care where he was placed...

Brother

Synopsis With his wedding to Carlos approaching, Tony, a young immigrant to the US, invites his conservative older sister to the ceremony. This fateful decision forces Tony to decide who his real family is. Director Biography - Aleksei Borovikov Aleksei Borovikov is...

7 short films will be screened at the Gravenhurst Opera House.

Tuesday, July 9th 7:00PM Tickets available at the Opera House website

Beauty Boys

Synopsis In a small village, Leo, 17 years-old, has a strong taste for make-up. His big brother, Jules, who fears to be laughed at, stands against this passion. On the night of the open stage, Leo shows up in full drag. Director Biography - Florent Gouelou Florent...

Sunday

Synopsis When the middle-aged Kamble makes his weekly visit to the neighbourhood barber shop, it's not just for a shave. He can't wait to be touched by Jaan, the new barber-boy he has a crush on. It's the highlight of his otherwise dull existence as a married man...

The Wake

Quick Cuts

Synopsis Guy, a television editor on a deadline, has a scene he just can't make work. Memories of a failed relationship threaten to overwhelm him until he realizes the solution to both his problems is the same: embrace the emotion. Director Biography - Curtis Krick...

Only The Lovers

Synopsis Amidst the imminent collision of Earth with a colossal planet, Amy, a closeted lesbian in her 70s, attends her friends' wedding ceremony. There, she reunites with Patricia, her secret love from their youth. Amy finally confesses her love to Patricia. In the...

August

Aikane

For the first time, the festival will bring two films to the Trinity United Church in Gravenhurst.

Join us during Muskoka Pride Week!

Christian in the Closet

Synopsis The uber awkward Christian leads a double life, avoiding the confrontation of coming out as gay to his father (A Christian Pastor) or telling his atheist best friend and new lover about his faith. Until the romantic advances of Erin, a female parishioner...

Upon Waking

Synopsis When two young lesbians struggling with personal demons get carbon monoxide poisoning during a first date and fall into a coma, their disembodied spirits must learn how to love one another and themselves to have a chance at waking up. Director Biography - Max...

These films will be presented at the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre to an audience drawn from across the TLDSB schools.

Tied Hand

Synopsis Heng, who has been away from home for ten years because of gender identity issues, finally gets back home but to attend mom's funeral. Director Biography - Ming Lou Ming Lou is a storyteller, also a director, screenwriter, and director of photography, born in...

Seven Minutes

Synopsis Your whole life can change in just minutes. When Hailey and Jordan’s friends push them into a game of spin the bottle, they have no idea that their worlds are about to turn upside down. What is said to be a pivotal moment in each teenager’s life turns into a...

NeRDMAN or (The Unexplainable Imagination of Reese Fisher)

Synopsis When his short film project derails due to a disaster of a lead actor, high school filmmaker Reece Fisher sends his buddies Francis and Kip on a race against time to find a replacement. As his world spirals into chaos, Reece grapples with his persistent arch...

Maghreb’s Hope

Synopsis Queer individuals from the Big Maghreb region share their stories, spanning across their home countries and various locations worldwide. Director Biography - Bassem Ben Brahim Bass em ben Brahim (She,He) is a Queer film director from Tunisia. Bassem graduated...

I Know Him So Well

Synopsis The jewel-toned animation of queer teenage love is chronicled by guitar-playing mermen and the vocals of AJ Rafael and Chance Calloway. Director Biography - Chance Calloway Chance Sion-Raize Calloway is the author of several novels and book series including...

Flowers

Synopsis Over a weekend in spring, a high school boy reconnects with an old friend and begins to discover what it really means to be in love. Director Biography - Nicholas Hansell From NYU Tisch, Nicholas has worked on productions from HBO Shows such as The Flight...