LGBTQ+ Festival 1st Scene: LESBIANS OF BUSHWICK, by Olive Persimmon

Margot sneaks into the Premier lounge, and obnoxiously pitches her fake reality show idea to Arbuckle. He gets her kicked out. A video circulates of him saying a gay slur. He pitches her show to Ronnie, who’s ready to drop him. He emails Margot. She convinces Alex to help her shoot the pilot. He brings along Remy, his inept niece. At the urging of her neighbor, they go to a local bar to scout talent. They find JB and Jane. While interviewing them, JB goes out to smoke and is brought back by Nadine, who blackmails Margot into being on the show.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Val Cole
Margot: Hannah Ehman
Arbuckle: Geoff Mays

LGBTQ+ Festival 1st Scene Reading: SHRINK, by Teddy K. Andrews

A young man attends the final session of his compensated work therapy program. The therapist remains ever oblivious as his lies begins to swallow the room whole.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Val Cole
Voice/Ashton: Geoff Mays
Therapist: Hannah Ehman

LGBTQ+ Festival Best Scene: THIS IS BAT COUNTRY, by Kerry Ann Boyko

A washed-up vampire playing PI turns a murdered girl to preserve her testimony—but she refuses to play sidekick in his pity parade. Together, they navigate an underworld where identity is fluid, transformation is inevitable, and survival means reclaiming what others tried to erase.

LGBTQ+ Festival Best Scene Script: STRIP CRAFT, by Wilson Large

A former cop’s search for her missing sister leads her into the dark world of a witch’s coven, where ancient rituals and forbidden magic force her to confront her deepest fears and uncover the truth about her family’s past.

https://instagram.com/stripcraftmovie

WINNERS: July 2025 LGBTQ+ Film Festival

A showcase of the best LGBTQ+ films in the world today.

AUDIENCE AWARDS:
Best Short Film: Astronaut’s Uniform
Best Direction: LGBT LOVE, FREEDOM be Ourselves

Reflections of Us, 15min., USA
Directed by Sanna Lexhed
Anna wants to have a perfect relationship, devoid of any negativity. Her partner, Charlie, wants to have honest, difficult conversations about their feelings. When the two stumble upon an ice rink in the park, we see Anna at her best: spontaneous, fun, pushing Charlie out of her comfort zone. Later that night, Charlie receives devastating news from her mom over the phone. Instead of asking Charlie about it, Anna avoids Charlie and acts as if everything’s fine. As their relationship falls apart, Anna must overcome her fear of opening up if she wants to keep Charlie in her life.

https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsofus.film

Astronaut’s Uniform, 30min., Russia
Directed by Dmitri Frolov
Mockumentary experimental film, which shows one day in the life of a young man.

https://www.instagram.com/astronauts_uniform/

LGBT LOVE, FREEDOM be Ourselves, 29min., France Directed by Febe CHU

Many LGBT individuals exist in hidden, unseen spaces around the world. Why do they need to come out from the closet? Because in certain countries, societies, and families, their identities and emotions as sexual minorities are neither accepted nor respected. They face oppression and even the deprivation of fundamental social and human rights, such as same-sex marriage, legal protection, and equality in daily life.
Many LGBT individuals are rejected, discriminated against, and denied recognition for their identities, choices, and true, sincere love. Throughout their lives, they struggle for their rights and the freedom to be themselves.
Their love and choices do not cause harm to others. They simply wish to live according to their genuine feelings. However, some members of society subject them to violence, indifference, and discrimination.

https://instagram.com/febe_chu_photography