#INSIDEOUT: 2025 INSIDE OUT TORONTO 2SLGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS

The Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival returns this May 23 to June 1, 2025, marking 35 years of celebrating bold, brilliant and trailblazing queer cinema from Canada and around the world.

The festival’s milestone edition was unveiled last night at a special launch event at Toronto’s historic Paradise Theatre. A full house of film lovers and industry insiders gathered to get a first look at this year’s programming.

Inside Out 2025 promises a rich cinematic journey with 28 feature films and 69 shorts representing over 20 countries. Screenings will be held at TIFF Lightbox, and films will also be available online across Ontario.

Opening this year’s festival is the Canadian Premiere of Outerlands, the striking debut feature from Elena Oxman, fresh off its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival where it earned a coveted Grand Jury Award nomination. This deeply resonant drama follows Cass, who finds themself unexpectedly caring for their longtime crush’s 11-year-old daughter, an experience that forces them to confront the unresolved trauma of their own turbulent childhood. Closing out the festival is the Canadian Premiere of The Best Friend, a heartfelt Brazilian gem that explores the quiet ache of reconnection, as two best friends reunite after five years apart. Amid the swirl of change, the spark of an old feeling flickers back to life.

“We are thrilled to welcome audiences back for the 35th annual Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival.” said Elie Chivi, Executive Director of Inside Out. “In a challenging landscape for film festivals and queer organizations, we are profoundly grateful to our members, donors, and partners. Their unwavering loyalty and support make this festival possible and help propel us into the future.”

“For our anniversary, we looked back to move forward—honouring the iconic films and filmmakers that shaped us, while championing bold new voices from around the world,” said Jenna Dufton, Festival Director of Inside Out. “After 35 years, one thing remains true: Inside Out is where we come together to reflect, to advocate, and to ensure 2SLGBTQ+ stories are seen. This year’s Festival—and the films it showcases—serve as a powerful reminder of that truth, and of why Queer spaces continue to matter.”

This year, Inside Out brings two Emmy® contenders to the big screen. One of the festival’s most anticipated documentaries, Enigma, directed by Emmy® nominated filmmaker Zackary Drucker, takes the spotlight at this year’s Re:Focus Gala. Following its acclaimed premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, Enigma dives deep into the lives and legacies of icons—Amanda Lear and April Ashley—whose identities were contested throughout their lives. Enigma is a mesmerizing portrayal of gender, fame and reclamation. Festival goers will also have the chance to attend the Season Finale Watch Party of the Emmy® Award-winning comedy Hacks presented in partnership with Crave. This special event invites fans to gather, laugh and revel in one of television’s sharpest and most beloved series.

The festival’s Centrepiece Gala is Cactus Pears, a romantic drama that marks the feature directorial debut of Rohan Parashuram Kanawade. This compelling co-production between India, Canada and the United Kingdom, won the 2025 Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize. The film follows Anand, a man returning to his hometown after a family loss, and reconnects with his childhood friend Balya in a tender love story.

Among this year’s standout selections are a wave of must-see films, including the World Premiere of the dazzling Canadian IndigiQueer musical Starwalker; the Canadian Premieres of The Crowd, a candid portrayal of Gen-Z/Millennial social dynamics; SALLY, National Geographic’s award-winning documentary about pioneering astronaut Sally Ride, and the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival award nominees Dreams in Nightmares and The Nature of Invisible Things.

Also, not to be missed are the International Showcase films, including the International Premiere of Chris Coats first feature documentary Flamingo Camp and Kimberly Reed’s Paris is Burning follow up I’m Your Venus; the Canadian Premieres of the Sundance hit Rains Over Babel and the multi-award winning thriller Ponyboi; and notable Canadian documentaries featured in the Icons section, the undeniable Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance and the thought-provoking World Premiere of Unlabelled.

Festival Director Jenna Dufton heads the programming team with programming staff Lu Linares and Claire Jarvis, and programmers Ferdosa Abdi, Syriah Bailey, Rasheed Bailey, Cailin Ball, Ashley Bodika, Ferrin Evans, Allia McLeod, Nik Redman, Raphael Sanchez, and Scott Smart.

Please see the Inside Out’s programming highlights below. For the full Festival program, schedule and to purchase tickets, please visit insideout.ca.

OPENING GALA

OUTERLANDS
Dir Elena Oxman | United States 2025 | 100 mins | English | Drama/Family | Canadian Premiere
This emotionally resonant film follows Cass juggling multiple jobs, both legal and illegal, to keep their head above water in San Francisco. Soon after Cass hooks up with their crush, Kalli, they are asked to watch Kalli’s daughter, Ari, for a couple days. A smitten Cass agrees. But when days pass with no sign of Kalli, Cass worries that Ari has been abandoned, bringing up Cass’s unresolved feelings about their own childhood abandonment. Featuring an outstanding cast, including Asia Kate Dillon and Lea Delaria in a small but pivotal role, Outerlands empowers its characters to have the complex, and at times contradictory, emotions we all experience.
FRI, MAY 23 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

CLOSING NIGHT GALA

THE BEST FRIEND
Dir Allan Deberton | Brazil 2024 | 96 mins | Portuguese | Musical | Canadian Premiere
Spooked by his long-term boyfriend’s very public proposal, Lucas flees to the resort town of Canoa Quebrada. It’s here, walking the white sand beaches, that he’s reunited with his unrequited college crush, Felipe. The tall and tan and young and lovely Felipe, a self-proclaimed professional lover, helps the shy and timid Lucas out of his shell and reignites his feelings in the process. Lucas is forced to decide: will he continue to live life ruled by insecurities or will he succumb to his burning passions? Just like From Justin to Kelly and Mamma Mia, this campy resort musical will have you dancing in the aisles and bouncing in your seats.
SAT, MAY 31 • 7:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

CENTREPIECE GALA

CACTUS PEARS
Dir Rohan Kanawade | India 2025 | 112 mins | Marathi | Drama| Canadian Premiere
Anand leaves his rural hometown in western India to seek a free and uncomplicated life in Mumbai. However, when his father falls ill and passes away, he reluctantly returns home to fulfill his obligations during the mourning period. He finds comfort in the presence of his mother but is quickly confronted by relatives eager to question his life choices, especially his unmarried status. When he reconnects with Balya, an old childhood friend, who, like Anand, has resisted the pressure to marry, the two bond over their shared experiences and mutual understanding. Yet, as they rekindle their relationship, they must confront a deeper question: can they set aside their families’ expectations and create the lives they’ve always dreamed of? Rohan Kanawade’s debut feature, which won the World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance, is a profoundly tender exploration of love and personal freedom under the weight of familial and societal pressures.
TUE, MAY 27 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

RE:FOCUS GALA

ENIGMA
Dir Zackary Drucker | United States 2024 | 94 mins | English | Documentary | Canadian Premiere
April Ashley and Amanda Lear began their journeys on strikingly similar paths in the 1950s, dazzling Paris’s cabaret scene and mingling with celebrity elites. Both were rising stars—radiant, magnetic, and seemingly unstoppable—until their trajectories suddenly diverged. April Ashley faced a wave of transphobic backlash during a highly publicized divorce, while Amanda Lear sidestepped scrutiny, reinventing herself as a disco icon known as much for her enigmatic allure as for her refusal to clarify the mysteries surrounding her past and identity. Enigma, true to its title, is a layered exploration of two icons, examining the delicate balance of living in the spotlight while staying true to oneself and the complexities of legacy. With sensitivity and insight, Zackary Drucker weaves a story rich with remarkable moments, guiding this journey with the care and brilliance it deserves.
SAT, MAY 24 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

PREMIERES

THE CROWD
Dir Sahand Kabiri | Iran 2024 | 70 mins | Persian | Drama | Canadian Premiere
Throwing a party for a partner or friend may seem to many an easy task, but not in Tehran, and especially not for Hamed and his friends. As they attempt to throw good friend Raman a going away party, they do so at the risk of their freedom. Nonetheless, they get to work cleaning out an abandoned garage owned by Hamed’s family, booking DJs, and working on a guest list, but when Hamed’s religious brother appears, they must band together and fight for their right to party. Based on the filmmaker’s own experience with his community and their fight for individual freedoms, the film was self-funded and shot independently over just 12 days. The very existence of the film is miraculous, and as a tale of the importance of the chosen family, is essential viewing.
FRI, MAY 30 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

DREAMS IN NIGHTMARES
Dir Shatara Michelle Ford | United States 2024 | 120 mins | English | Drama | Canadian Premiere
After losing their jobs, Z and Tasha pull in their friend Lauren to embark on a road trip searching for their missing friend, Kel. The trio begin their journey with a clear goal in mind, to find a dearest friend, a member of their chosen family. However, the road through the Midwestern landscape offers them a chance to confront what it means to be Black Queer femmes in contemporary America. Shatara Michelle Ford’s sophomore film confronts the constricting ideals of society with an overtly aspirational take that asserts that Black women have agency over their identity.
SAT, MAY 24 • 9:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

THE NATURE OF INVISIBLE THINGS
Dir Rafaela Camelo | Brazil, Chile 2025 | 90 mins | Drama | Canadian Premiere
During the summer holidays, 10-year-old Gloria accompanies her mother, Antônia, a dedicated nurse, to work. As Gloria wanders the sterile hallways, she meets Sofia, a spirited girl convinced that her great-grandmother, Bisa, is growing weaker because of her time in the hospital. United by a longing to escape, the two girls form a deep connection, one that soon extends to their single mothers, Antônia and Simone. As the shadow of Bisa’s passing draws near, the families retreat to the countryside, where Antônia assumes responsibility for her final care. Surrounded by nature and tradition, they find a community ready to honor Bisa’s life and guide her spirit onward. In this sacred place, where endings and beginnings intertwine, the cycle of death and rebirth gains profound meaning for Gloria, Sofia, and the women who raise them.
SUN, MAY 25 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

SALLY
Dir Cristina Costantini | United States 2025 | 103 mins | English | Documentary| Canadian Premiere
In 1983 Sally Ride became the first American woman to blast off into space, catapulting her into the spotlight as a household name and feminist icon. Beneath her unflappable composure, however, she carried a secret. Through present day interviews and incredible archival footage, Sally’s life partner Tam O’Shaugnessy, reveals the romance and sacrifices of their 27 years together, telling for the first time the full story behind Ride’s public journey. In addition to interviews with Tam O’ Shaughnessy, SALLY features acclaimed tennis star and groundbreaking advocate for women and LGBTQ+ rights, Billie Jean King, as well as celebrated astronauts from Sally Ride’s NASA class of 1978: Kathy Sullivan, Anna Fisher, John Fabian, and Steve Hawley.
SAT, MAY 31 • 2:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

STARWALKER
Dir Corey Payette |Canada 2025 | 116 mins | English | Musical | World Premiere
Star, an IndigiQueer Two-Spirit callboy, finds themselves newly entranced by the world of drag after being introduced to The House of Borealis, a vibrant drag house led by the charismatic Mother Borealis. As Star immerses themselves in this newfound passion, they are confronted with a cultural past they once neglected. But when painful memories resurface, their love for drag and their chosen family is put to the test. Director Corey Payette infuses Starwalker with deep authenticity and personal connection, making every frame resonate with heart and purpose. This charming musical is a testament to the life-changing moments that come when we embrace who we are without looking back.
FRI, MAY 23 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
SAT, MAY 24 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

SPOTLIGHT ON CANADA

LAKEVIEW
Dir Tara Thorne | Canada 2024 | 100 mins | English | Comedy
Set against Nova Scotia’s scenic eastern shore, Lakeview brings together a group of Queer friends, opening the doors to both fun and chaos. During a girls’ weekend celebrating a divorce, old feelings, new relationships, and shifting dynamics collide in the fading glow of summer. Tara Thorne’s sophomore feature captures both the thrill of newfound freedom and the bittersweet nostalgia of letting go. Lakeview is a refreshing take on modern relationships, lesbian drama, and the havoc a few too many drinks can wreak on a friend group. A warm, laugh-inducing, and authentic story about friendship—the queer kind, at least.
SUN, MAY 25 • 4:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
MON, MAY 26 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

REALLY HAPPY SOMEDAY
Dir J Stevens | Canada 2024 | 90 mins | English | Drama
Before he transitioned, Z was a rising star in Toronto’s theatre scene. But now, with testosterone affecting his voice, he must learn to navigate his evolving body in order to return to his passion—without sacrificing his present. Along the way, Z finds support in Shelly, a vocal coach helping him reconnect with his voice, and Santi, a bar owner who offers both a barback job and a listening ear, sharing in Z’s experiences. Really Happy Someday is a labour of love and community. Director J Stevens and lead actor Breton Lalama, who stars as Z, collaborated at every stage of the film’s production, drawing from their own experiences. The result is a deeply authentic and tender work, rich with understanding in both its performances and visuals.
TUE, MAY 27 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

SWEET ANGEL BABY
Dir Melanie Oates | Canada 2024 | 96 mins | English | Drama
Life in Eliza’s small Newfoundland fishing community is simple and tranquil. She participates in church activities, organizes fundraisers, and appears to be fully integrated into her tight-knit town. Yet, beneath this peaceful exterior, Eliza harbors a secret: a social media alter ego who wears a ski mask and poses provocatively amidst the rugged landscape. In addition to this, she is involved in a clandestine relationship with Toni, the town’s only openly lesbian resident. Eliza’s life teeters on a delicate balance, as she strives to keep her two worlds from colliding. When her secrets are inevitably exposed, Eliza is forced to confront how she is now seen by her community, and decide what she is willing to sacrifice in order to live the life she truly desires.
SAT, MAY 31 • 4:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
SUN, JUN 01 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

TWO WOMEN
Dir Chloé Robichaud | Canada 2024 | 100 mins | French | Comedy
When Violette invites her neighbour Florence over for tea, they realise they have a lot in common. They’re both mothers, they both feel trapped in their apartments, and they’re both not having sex. Their shared dissatisfaction unites them, creating a duo that sits somewhere between Thelma & Louise and Dumb and Dumber. After Florence has an eye-opening affair with the cable guy, Violette decides to follow suit, booking an exterminator, a painter, and a cleaning service. With each fling their to-do lists get shorter, but their relationships are still in disrepair. Chloé Robichaud’s playful remake of Claude Fournier’s comedy classic, Two Women in Gold, explores how to exist in a world when your realities don’t align with your expectations.
SUN, MAY 25 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

ICONS

M​​OVE YA BODY: THE BIRTH OF HOUSE
Dir Elegance Bratton | United States 2025 | 92 mins | English | Documentary
In the 1970s, disco democratized the dancefloor, putting Black, brown and queer music at the top of the charts. When the industry and some of the white public turned against the genre (“Disco sucks”), that talent, energy and feeling of community had to go somewhere. House music, born in a Chicago gay club, answered the call. Director Elegance Bratton tells the story of house—the parties, the feuds, the exploitation and the legacy—through the story of Vince Lawrence. As a teenager, Lawrence was at the infamous 1979 Disco Demolition Night and went on to be one of the forces behind influential house label Trax Records. With commentary from Kevin Aviance, Lena Waithe and other queer cultural figures, the doc argues that “house history is queer history”.
THU, MAY 29 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

PARADE: QUEER ACTS OF LOVE & RESISTANCE
Dir Noam Gonick | Canada 2025 | 96 mins | English | Documentary
If there was ever a necessary time for an authoritative no-more-shit documentary about the history of Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ activism, it’s right now. Parade is that documentary. Featuring interviews with the who’s who of six decades of Canadian queer activism, along with astonishing archival footage—including crowds at the 1970s drag balls on Yonge Street—it’s a far-reaching and thoughtful film that should be taught in schools (sorry, not sorry, Anita Bryant). But its heft doesn’t make Parade any less inspiring for casual viewers. If history is repeating, this documentary will give audiences the hope (and ideas and anger and empathy) to carry them through whatever comes next.
SAT, MAY 31 • 11:45 AM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

ROW OF LIFE
Dir Soraya Simi | United States 2025 | 82 mins | English | Documentary
Row of Life tells the story of one woman’s irrepressible ambition to defy all odds, a journey that led her from the Marine Corps to three Paralympic Games and 14 Guinness World Records. In 2020, at the age of 60, Angela Madsen embarked on her most ambitious challenge yet: rowing 2,400 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles to Hawaii. As if this feat weren’t already remarkable, Madsen became the first paraplegic and the oldest woman to attempt this solo, unassisted ocean row. As we follow her journey, we discover a poetic tale of bravery, resilience, and—perhaps most importantly—love. Throughout her quest, Madsen and her wife, Deb, support each other’s dreams, despite being separated by the vast expanse of the ocean and risking what would ultimately become the greatest cost.
SUN, MAY 25 • 1:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
MON, MAY 26 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

SPEAK.
Dir Jennifer Tiexiera, Guy Mossman | United States 2024 | 103 mins | English | Documentary
SPEAK. follows five of the nation’s top teenage speech competitors, capturing the euphoria of victory and the devastation of defeat as they craft and perform original oratories over the course of a 9-month season. Their dream is simple: To win the Super Bowl of public speaking, the NSDA Nationals. We witness these five competitors, their coaches and their parents as they fight to keep school speech programs alive amid budget cuts, book bans, and censorship efforts that reach a fevered pitch during the 2024 election year. SPEAK. captures the passion, joy, and courage of unforgettable teens using their voices to change hearts and minds.
SAT, MAY 24 • 1:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
SUN, MAY 25 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

UNLABELLED
Dir Colette Johnson-Vosberg | Canada 2025 | 83 mins | English | Documentary | World Premiere
Unlabelled follows the lives of three members of the trans community in Toronto—Lucah, Emery, and Lucy—who graciously take us on a journey through their experiences, both joyful and painful, as they navigate their own paths in the world. This documentary thoughtfully explores the diversity of trans experiences, the importance of community, and the power of being patient with yourself in a society that often rejects your identity. With care and honesty, Johnson-Vosberg presents Unlabelled as a moving portrait of extraordinary individuals who too often go unnoticed in everyday life. The film invites us to reflect on the role of identity and poses a bold question: what if we imagined a future without labels?
SUN, MAY 25 • 3:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
MON, MAY 26 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE

BABY
Dir Marcelo Caetano | Brazil 2024 | 107 mins | Portuguese | Drama
São Paulo’s streets can offer both danger and opportunity and, for Wellington, they deliver both. After being released from a juvenile detention center, he finds himself alone and adrift, with no contact from his parents. While wandering the city, he encounters Ronaldo, an experienced and charming older man who takes him under his wing, teaching him new ways to survive. Their romance is fiery, vibrant, dizzying, and tumultuous—turning from a fairytale to a nightmare in the blink of an eye. Nominated for the Queer Palm at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Baby is an exhilarating exploration of self-discovery, desire, and the precarious nature of love and survival in an unforgiving city
FRI, MAY 23 • 9:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

FLAMINGO CAMP
Dir Chris Coats | United States 2025 | 80 mins | English | Documentary | International Premiere
In the near-lawless squatter town of Slab City, a group of young queer and trans anarchists create a thriving safe space for themselves known as Flamingo Camp. Out in the harsh Sonoran Desert, the camp flourishes through the mild winter months under the leadership of its founder, Nova. But when Nova departs for the summer and the brutal heat sets in, the unthinkable happens–fracturing this once close-knit chosen family.
SAT, MAY 24 • 3:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
SUN, MAY 25 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

SEASON FINALE WATCH PARTY: HACKS
Dir Lucia Aniello | United States 2025 | 25 mins | English | Comedy
In Season 4 of the multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning Max Original comedy series Hacks, tensions rise as Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) endeavor to get their late night show off the ground and make history doing it. Stream Season 4 of Hacks Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Crave, then join Inside Out for an unforgettable Season Finale Watch Party on May 29th.
THU, MAY 29 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

I’M YOUR VENUS
Dir Kimberly Reed | United States 2024 | 85 mins | English | Documentary
One of the most memorable real-life characters in Paris Is Burning, the monumental 1990 documentary about New York’s drag ball scene, was aspiring model and complete spitfire, Venus Xtravaganza. In 1988, before the film was finished, Venus was found dead in a hotel room. Now, almost 35 years later, three of her biological brothers are working with members of her ballroom family to honour Venus’s legacy, in part by trying to have her murder case reopened. Mixing new and archival footage, award-winning director Kimberly Reed touchingly captures what made Venus so magical and the emotional journey of two families.
SAT, MAY 31 • 4:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

IN ASHES
Dir Ludvig Christian Næsted Poulsen | Denmark 2025 | 82 mins | Danish | Drama| Canadian Premiere
After getting dumped by his first love, Christian is spiralling. The breakup was brutal, one-sided, and he’s still stuck—mentally replaying every moment of their romance. Desperate for connection, he dives headfirst into hookup apps, but finds himself caught in a cycle of fleeting, awkward encounters that only leave him feeling emptier. In the chaos of heartbreak, sex, and self-sabotage, he’s forced to ask: can he finally let go of the past, or is he too far gone to find something real? Director Ludvig C. Poulsen’s striking debut feature is raw, unapologetically intimate, and an emotionally resonant portrait of what it takes to crawl out from under heartbreak, and start again.
FRI, MAY 30 • 9:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

LUCKY, APARTMENT
Dir Garam Kangyu | South Korea 2024 | 95 mins | Korean | Drama | North American Premiere
Seonwoo and Heeseo’s dream of safe and secure housing becomes a reality when they put everything they have into purchasing a small apartment. The shine quickly comes off of their newly renovated apartment when Seonwoo loses her job and breaks her leg, leaving Heeseo solely responsible for paying their mortgage. Unable to find work and confined to their apartment, Seonwoo becomes obsessed with finding the source of a foul odour coming from downstairs. When it’s discovered that their elderly neighbour has passed, Seonwoo takes it upon herself to find their estranged family. Seonwoo’s investigation into the life of their solitary neighbour brings light to the cracks forming in her own relationship with Heeseo. Will they be able to weather this storm together, or will outside forces push them apart?
FRI, MAY 30 • 9:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

PONYBOI
Dir Esteban Arango | United States 2024 | 100 mins | English | Coming of Age/Drama | Canadian Premiere
Based on River Gallo’s award-winning short film, Ponyboi takes audiences on a wild, neon-lit ride through the underbelly of New Jersey. Unfolding over the course of Valentine’s Day, Ponyboi is just trying to get through the day when a drug deal goes horribly wrong. As chaos and violence erupt, Ponyboi is forced to confront both personal and existential trials. Laundromats, handsome cowboys, 24-hour diners, and neon lights all come together in this exhilarating tale that asks: how far can one go when their life is at stake? Director Esteban Arango brings this extraordinary story to life with an outstanding ensemble cast, including Dylan O’Brien, Indya Moore, Victoria Pedretti, and Murray Bartlett. Thrilling and unrelenting, Ponyboi mesmerizes with its fearless storytelling, blending suspense, sensuality, high-stakes conflict, and nonstop action.
SAT, MAY 24 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

RAINS OVER BABEL
Dir Gala del Sol | Colombia/United States/Spain 2025 | 110 mins | Spanish | Drama | Canadian Premiere
Step into a world where the living and the dead share the stage for one unforgettable night at Babel, a mythical bar pulsing with secrets, spirits, and second chances. This darkly imaginative riff on Dante’s Inferno blends the surreal with the spiritual, the sacred with the profane, and the tragic with the transcendent. As drag queens, fallen angels, and restless souls collide with Death herself, stories of love, identity, and transformation emerge from the shadows. Gala del Sol brings a genre-bending journey into the afterlife that’s infused with dark humor, unspoken truths, and flashes of defiant, Queer joy. Through grief, desire, and glitter-stained resistance, Babel becomes more than a bar—a portal to what we’re willing to risk for the people, passions, and parts of ourselves we refuse to let die.
SAT, MAY 31 • 7:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

SANDBAG DAM
Dir Čejen Černić Čanak | Croatia 2024 | 90 mins | Croatian | Drama | Canadian Premiere
A story about a forbidden love, set in a village threatened by the swollen rivers. Upon his return home for his father’s funeral, Slaven revives relationship with his childhood friend, a young sportsman Marko, his teenage love and the reason his father kicked him out of the house. Now tempted to reunite, they need to make peace with their own decisions and struggle against the family restraints.
SAT, MAY 24 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

SAUNA
Dir Mathias Broe | Denmark 2025 | 105 mins | Danish | Drama| Canadian Premiere
Johan has been living a carefree life. Bars, parties, Grindr hookups, and steamy bathhouse encounters. But when William, a transgender man, enters his world, everything shifts. Sauna explores the transformative power of love, revealing both its tenderness and its madness. Based on the novel of the same name by Mads Ananda Lodahl, the film delves deep into the complexities of desire, identity, and community. Through Johan and William’s relationship, director Mathias Broe crafts an intimate and raw portrayal of contemporary Queer romance. With striking visuals and an unflinching gaze, Sauna immerses us in a world where passion and vulnerability collide.
SUN, MAY 25 • 9:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

SOME NIGHTS I FEEL LIKE WALKING
Dir Petersen Vargas | Philippines 2024 | 103 mins | Tagalog | Drama | Canadian Premiere
Manila at night is teeming with possibility—of danger but also of tenderness. Uno meets distressed teenager Zion in a bus terminal and they bond in their brief encounter. Two years later, they meet again as hustlers booked by the same client. The night turns sour when Uno’s friend, Miguelito, is found overdosing after being with a client. Zion reveals to Uno and his buddies, Bayani and Rush, Miguelito’s dying wish: to take him home. Together, they lug Miguelito’s body around the city and into the countryside, via buses and highways. With each step, the conclusion becomes clearer: there is no place in the world for these kids, except with each other. Despite their differences, they have been forged into a singular pack of brothers.
SUN, MAY 25 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3
MON, MAY 26 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

SHORTS

Information on this year’s shorts lineup can be found here.

Inside Out 2025 Digital Programme Book here.

In a year of economic uncertainty and declining support for 2SLGBTQ+ communities and arts organizations, Inside Out is grateful for the returning sponsors for its 35th anniversary festival. RBC returns for the 17th year as Lead Sponsor, with Netflix and Crave back as Premier Sponsors. New this year—and making a strong impact—are Hinge, LCBO, and DoorDash. Inside Out is especially thankful to our returning public funders for their steadfast support, including: the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Creates, and Telefilm Canada.

For more information, visit insideout.ca

Inside Out Film Festival

Inside Out is Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ film festival and the single largest promoter and distributor of 2SLGBTQ+ content in Canada. Founded in 1991, Inside Out is committed to representing the interests of 2SLGBTQ+ voices within the Canadian film industry. We are dedicated to developing, presenting, and promoting 2SLGBTQ+ content that showcases and supports the broad diversity of voices and identities within our communities, and ensuring that authentic and positive representation of 2SLGBTQ+ people is central in that content.

Annually, Inside Out presents the 10-day Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival (Toronto’s third largest festival after TIFF and Hot Docs), a year-round screening and event series, and innovative professional development initiatives including the world’s only 2SLGBTQ+ Feature Film Financing Forum and the RE:Focus Fund. Inside Out is a Canadian Academy qualifying festival.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “DREAM PRODUCTIONS”

Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new series “Dream Productions” returns to Riley’s mind, where dreams really do come true—every night, on time and on budget. Check out the new trailer, images and key art, which are available to download and share. Taking place in between the events of “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2,” all four episodes of the limited series come to the streamer beginning Dec. 11, 2024. Riley is growing up and when her memories need some extra processing, Joy and the rest of the Core Emotions send them to Dream Productions. Acclaimed director Paula Persimmon (voice of Paula Pell) faces a nightmare of her own: Trying to create the next hit dream after being paired up with Xeni (voice of Richard Ayoade), a smug daydream director looking to step up into the big leagues of night dreams.

Also featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ally Maki, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith, the hilarious, mockumentary-style series is written and directed by Mike Jones and produced by Jaclyn Simon. Featuring score by composer Nami Melumad, the soundtrack for “Dream Productions” will be available on all streaming services beginning Dec. 20, 2024.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW PIXAR SERIES “DREAM PRODUCTIONS” AND “WIN OR LOSE” COMING TO DISNEY+

Disney+ revealed today all-new launch dates for two exciting series from Pixar Animation Studios. A sneak peek is now available offering a look at both new series.

Following the record-breaking global success and excitement surrounding “Inside Out 2”—which launches on Disney+ tomorrow—“Dream Productions” returns to Riley’s mind, this time to explore the innerworkings of the studio behind her dreams. All four episodes of the limited series come to the streamer beginning Dec. 11, 2024.

The all-new original series “Win or Lose” features the intertwined stories of different characters as they each prepare for their big championship softball game. Eight episodes, each following a new character, start to roll out on Disney+ beginning Feb. 19, 2025.

“These two series really show Pixar creativity at its finest,” said Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter. “We’re excited fans won’t have to wait long for more great content from the world of ‘Inside Out.’ ‘Dream Productions’ offers up a treasure trove of jokes and fun as it digs deeper into one of our favourite parts of the first film, the making of Riley’s dreams. And we consider ‘Win or Lose’ a major, first-of-its-kind tentpole series, one that really showcases what I think makes our studio great: bold, imaginative storytelling; laugh-out-loud humour; and characters that we can all relate to.”

ABOUT “DREAM PRODUCTIONS”

Taking place in between the events of “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2,” “Dream Productions” is an all-new series about the studio inside Riley’s mind where dreams really do come true—every night, on time and on budget. Riley is growing up and when her memories need some extra processing, Joy and the rest of the Core Emotions send them to Dream Productions. Acclaimed director Paula Persimmon (voice of Paula Pell) faces a nightmare of her own: Trying to create the next hit dream after being paired up with Xeni (voice of Richard Ayoade), a smug daydream director looking to step up into the big leagues of night dreams. Also featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ally Maki, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith, the hilarious, mockumentary-style series is written and directed by Mike Jones and produced by Jaclyn Simon.

ABOUT “WIN OR LOSE”

“Win or Lose” reveals what it actually feels like to be in the shoes of eight different characters in the week leading up to the big game—the insecure kids, their helicopter parents, even a lovesick umpire—with incredibly funny, very emotional and uniquely animated perspectives. Featuring the voice of Will Forte as the coach, “Win or Lose” is directed, written and executive produced by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, and produced David Lally.

#BOXOFFICE: “DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE” ALIVE AND WELL SECOND WEEK OUT

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE continues to devastate the competition, taking the top spot again with $94 million from 4,230 theatres. This takes its two week tally to a stellar $392.5 million for Disney/Marvel.

Second is TWISTERS with $22 million from 4,009 theatres, a total $194.9 million over three weekends for Universal Pictures.

TRAP debuts in third with $16 million from 3,181 theatres for Warner Bros. This latest from M. Night Shyamalan gets 48% on the Tomatometer. Do note that screening access was limited for this title and this score is based on 88 reviews only on Rotten Tomatoes. By contrast, other wide releases like the top two had well over 340+ reviews each.

Fourth is DESPICABLE ME 4 with $11.1 million from 3,369 theatres for Universal Pictures, a total $313.8 million over five weekends.

INSIDE OUT 2 rounds things out with $6.7 million from 2,615 theatres over eight weekends for Disney. Its total North American run is brought to $626.8 million.

#BOXOFFICE: “DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE” LIVELY IN OPENING WEEKEND

Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE debuts in a lively manner with a record-setting $205 million from 4,210 theatres for Marvel/Disney. It gets a great 80% on the Tomatometer from Critics, and easily becomes the highest opening ever for the Deadpool franchise, besting 2016’s first film in the series which took off with $132 million. Wolverine’s highest franchise opening was 2009’s X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE with $85 million.

In second is TWISTERS with a $36 million second weekend for Universal Pictures, a total run domestically, of $155 million.

DESCPICABLE ME 4 is in third with $14.5 million for Universal Pictures, taking it to $291 million.

INSIDE OUT 2 takes $15 million for fourth spot, bringing its run to $613.7 million for Disney.

Fifth is LONGLEGS with $6.9 million for NEON/Elevation Pictures, a three week total of $58 million. This now has become American distributor NEON‘s highest grossing film ever, surpassing Best Picture winner PARASITE‘s $53 million.

#BOXOFFICE: “TWISTERS” BLOWS BY COMPETITION

TWISTERS blows right by the competition with a smashing opening weekend, debuting with $80.5 million from 4,151 theatres for Universal Pictures/Warner Bros. It gets 78% on the Tomatometer. By comparison, its 1996 predecessor opened with $41 million from 2,808 theatres.

DESPICABLE ME 4 gets $21.5 million from 4,112 theatres and by the end of the weekend it will have grossed $257 million domestically already over three weekends.

Third is INSIDE OUT 2 with $11 million from 3,625 theatres for Disney, taking it to $594 million.

LONGLEGS is in fourth this weekend with $10.2 million, taking it to a great $43 million over two weekends for NEON and Elevation Pictures.

Rounding things off is A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE with $5.5 million, taking its run to $127 million in North American for Paramount Pictures.

#BOXOFFICE: “DESPICABLE ME 4” STILL HIGHLY LIKABLE IN SECOND WEEK

It’s another stellar week for DESPICABLE ME 4, making 2024 a Summer defined by Animated Feature blockbusters! It makes $41 million in its second week, from 4,449 theatres for Universal Pictures, a total $207.4 million grossed over two weeks.

LONGLEGS debuts huge in second with $23 million from 2,510 theatres for NEON/Elevation Pictures. It gets 87% on the Tomatometer, exceptional for a Horror. This is an opening weekend record for American distributor NEON – previous record for them was IMMACULATE, released earlier this year with $5 million in North America.

INSIDE OUT 2 continues to thrive in third with $20 million from 3,815 heatres for Disney, a tally of $571.8 million over five weeks.

Fourth is A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE with $12.1 million, taking it to $116.5 million over three weekends for Paramount Pictures.

FLY ME TO THE MOON gets fifth with $10 million in its debut, from 3,356 theatres for Sony Pictures. This Rom-Com-Dram starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, gets 67% on the Tomatometer.

#BOXOFFICE: “DESPICABLE ME 4” HAS A FESTIVE JULY 4TH WEEKEND DEBUT

DESPICABLE ME 4 has a festive July 4th weekend debut, earnjng $72.4 million from 4,428 theaters Friday to Sunday for Universal Pictures. This gets 53% on the Tomatometer. Franchise best opening still goes to 2013’s DESPICABLE ME 2 with $83.5 million.

INSIDE OUT 2 continues it stellar run with $33.1 million from 3,760 theatres for Disney. Its domestic run now is at $536.9 million.

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE is at $21.3 million in third, playing at 3,688 theaters for Paramount Pictures. This brings its two week run to $94.6 million.

MaXXXine debuts in fourth with $8 million from 2,450 theaters for A24/VVS Films. This finale in Ti West’s X Trilogy, gets 76% on the Tomatometer. This almost doubles X’s 2022 debut at $4.3 million.

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE gets $6.7 million from 2,644 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $177.5 million over five weeks.

#BOXOFFICE: “INSIDE OUT 2” ON-TOP A THIRD STRAIGHT WEEK

It’s an incredible third week for INSIDE OUT 2, banking a stellar $60 million from 4,440 theatres for Disney. In its domestic run it has made $471 million already.

Debuting in second is A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE with $48.5 million from 3,707 theatres for Paramount Pictures. It gets 84% on the Tomatometer and places a close second behind the first film in the Franchise, which opened with $50 million in 2018.

Kevin Costner‘s HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA CHAPTER 1, lands in third with $12 million from 3,334 theatres for Warner Bros. It gets 40% on the Tomatometer and will be followed by CHAPTER 2 in August.

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE lands in fourth with $11 million, a tally of $163 million over four weeks for Sony Pictures.

At the bottom of the Top Five is KALKI 2898 AD with $6.5 million from 1,049 theatres for Prathyangira Cinemas and AA Creations.

#BOXOFFICE: “INSIDE OUT 2” HAS A RECORD-SMASHING SECOND FRAME

INSIDE OUT 2 continues to turn it up, bringing-in a stellar $90 million in its second weekend out for Disney. This number is a record for best second week ever for an Animated Feature, taking it to $345 million already, domestically.

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE continues to performing fantastically, taking $18 million in its third weekend for Sony Pictures, a tally of $146 million over three weekends.

Third goes to a debuting THE BIKERIDERS with $9.5 million from 2,665 theatres for Focus Features/Universal Pictures. This Jeff Nichols film starring Austin Butler and Jodie Comer, gets 82% on the Tomatometer.

In fourth is THE GARFIELD MOVIE with $4 million, taking it to $85 million over five weekends for Sony Pictures.

Rounding things off is THE KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES with $3.7 million, a total domestic run of $165 million for 20th Century Studios.