#INTERVIEW: INSIDE OUT FILM FESTIVAL 2026 WITH ADAM SHANKMAN, JUJUBEE, CAROLE POPE, LIZA WEIL, KADEN CONNORS, HARRISON BROWNE AND MORE

The rainbow carpet was rolled out last night at TIFF LIGHTBOX as the 36th annual Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival has kicked off, running till May 31, 2026 in-person and virtually. Showcasing 101 films – 72 shorts and 29 features – the Festival is highlighted by opening night gala, Adam Shankman‘s STOP! THAT! TRAIN! featuring a star-studded Cast including iconic RuPaul, Jujubee, Ginger Minj, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Rachel, Bloom, Nicole Richie, Chris Parnell, and several more. Pailin Wedel‘s HEALS closes the Festival. Hot off its great reception at Hot Docs, ANTIDIVA: The Carole Pope Confessions also screens as part of the Spotlight on Canada programme, along with Nick Butler‘s (who used to work at TIFF) LUNAR SWAY which Douglas Smith, Noah Parker, Liza Weil, and Heated Rivalry‘s Kaden Connors.

Following the premiere of STOP! THAT! TRAIN! which draw laughs and cheers, the Opening Night part took place on the main floor at TIFF Lightbox, with DJ BIA on the turntables, beverages pouring and charcuterie and sweets for guests. Mubi Canada provided photobooth services, as guests queued for photo ops with Shankman and Jujubee.

We were thrilled to chat with some of the talent and notables in attendance at the Festival last night which included:

• Carly Beath – Executive Director, Inside Out
• Jenna Dufton – Festival Director, Inside Out
• Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto
• Adam Shankman – Stop! That! Train!, Director
• Jujubee – Stop! That! Train!, Actor/Drag Queen
• Michelle Mama – Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions, Director
• Carole Pope – Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions, Film Subject
• Nick Butler – Lunar Sway, Director/Writer
• Liza Weil (Gilmore Girls) – Lunar Sway, Actor
• Kaden Connors (Heated Rivalry) – Lunar Sway, Actor
• Ajahnis Charley – In The Closet, Director/Writer
• Andrew Chappelle (Hamilton – Original Broadway cast) – I’m Gonna Kill You, Director/Writer
• Harrison Browne (Heated Rivalry), Pink Light, Director/Writer
• Emmy Tran, 2026 Inside Out Film Festival identity Artist
• Star Doll, Canada’s Drag Race
• Karamilk, Canada’s Drag Race
• Makayla Couture, Canada’s Drag Race
• Dahlia Doll, Canada’s Drag Race
• Tara Nova, Canada’s Drag Race
• Hollywood Jade, Canada’s Drag Race
• D.W. Waterson, Backspot, Director/Writer

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More on this year’s lineup and tickets here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: INSIDE OUT 2SLGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS MAY 22-MAY 31, 2026

The Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival returns May 22 to May 31, 2026, with an expansive and vibrant program celebrating queer storytelling from around the world. Tickets are now on sale at Insideout.ca.

The 2026 lineup was revealed today during a media conference at Red Head Gallery in Toronto, where media, film lovers and industry insiders gathered for a first look at the upcoming program.

This year’s festival features 29 feature films and 72 shorts from more than 20 countries. Screenings will take place at TIFF Lightbox, with a selection of titles available to stream Ontario-wide.

Opening the festival is the Canadian premiere of the outrageous comedy Stop! That! Train! from Adam Shankman (Hairspray, The Wedding Planner), starring Emmy Award-winner and cultural icon RuPaul, alongside Jujubee and Ginger Minj, two of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s standout Queens. The star-studded cast ensemble also includes Sarah Michelle Gellar, Monét X Change, Matt Rogers, Nicole Richie, Chris Parnell, and Lisa Rinna.

Closing the festival is Heals, an intimate documentary from Pailin Wedel (The Trapped 13: How We Survived the Thai Cave), that received funding through Inside Out’s RE:Focus Fund. The film traces the life of international drag star Pangina Heals, from a traumatic childhood to becoming Asia’s first drag queen with a Las Vegas residency. Adam Shankman, Jujubee and Pangina Heals will be making appearances at the festival.

“Stepping into this role, my goal was to further elevate the diverse voices that the Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival champions, from established filmmakers to emerging talent. I’m incredibly proud of the lineup we’ve curated this year. It’s exciting, heartfelt and deeply entertaining and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it,” said Carly Beath, Executive Director of Inside Out. “The festival would not be possible without the continued support of our community and partners, whose contributions have been integral in bringing it to life”.

“This year’s lineup showcases not only a diversity of voices, but an incredible spectrum of storytelling styles. From absurd comedies to emotionally resonant documentaries to poignant horror, Inside Out highlights films from 2SLGBTQ+ communities across a wide range of forms and perspectives.,” said Jenna Dufton, Festival Director of Inside Out. “This program is a celebration of Queer viewpoints and the many ways we choose to express them.”

Among the festival’s marquee presentations is the RE:Focus Gala selection Give Me the Ball!, a documentary exploring the life and legacy of former World No. 1 tennis player and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King, revealing her personal sacrifices beyond her global impact on sport and equality.

The Centrepiece Gala, I Come Home, marks the world premiere of the emotionally complex debut feature from Canadian director Glen Wood. The film follows a throuple as they navigate an unexpected pregnancy, shifting dynamics and family tensions, set against the backdrop of a wedding that brings everything to surface.

The festival also presents a dynamic slate of premiere features, including the Canadian debuts of the heartfelt Gugu’s World and the romantic drama Iván & Hadoum, both of which premiered at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival and received awards. Also making its Canadian premiere is the Special Presentation Leviticus, directed by Adrian Chiarella, a gripping entry into queer horror. Blending elements of psychological thriller and coming-of-age drama, the film confronts conversion therapy, religious fanaticism, and identity.

Screening for the first time in North America is the documentary Hunky Jesus, exploring the legacy of San Francisco’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s iconic Easter celebration. Making its International premiere is Perfect, an official selection of SXSW Film & TV 2026 and the feature film debut of music video director Millicent Hailes. The post-apocalyptic drama stars Ashley Moore (I Know What You Did Last Summer) and Julia Fox (Uncut Gems). Rounding out the program is the world premiere of Out of the Woods starring Frances Fisher, Mimi Kennedy, and Academy Award Nominee Bruce Davison, a reflective story about memory, friendship and change in a woman’s life.

The Spotlight on Canada program highlights bold and distinctive homegrown storytelling. Titles include Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions, a bold portrait of the queer rock icon as she reclaims her place in music history; the World premiere of In The Closet, a humorous and heartfelt docuseries following comedian Ajahnis Charley as they raid their non-binary besties closets looking to affirm both their identity and their hotness; Lunar Sway, a dark, quirky comedy, set in a small desert town; and Tracy & Martina: Goin’ Out West an offbeat mockumentary about two best friends from Cape Breton as they head to Alberta on tour only to find themselves at risk of getting stuck there for good.

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

Running from May 22 to May 31, 2026, the Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival is one of the world’s leading platforms for queer cinema, championing bold voices and stories that resonate across borders. 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
*attending the festival

STOP! THAT! TRAIN!
Dir. Adam Shankman* | United States | 2026 | 90 mins | English | Comedy | Canadian Premiere
The wildly hilarious new film from Adam Shankman (Hairspray, The Wedding Planner), Stop! That! Train! combines absurd comedy, outrageous drag, and high-speed disaster-movie chaos to deliver a nonstop thrill ride of action, glamour, and laugh-out-loud camp. DeeDee (Jujubee) and Tess (Ginger Minj) are grateful for their jobs as train stewardesses for Stank Rail, but they dream of the big time aboard the luxurious Glamazonian Express. When the chance comes to upgrade to those iconic red uniforms, they jump at it—only for their journey to be derailed by a massive “stormaganza” threatening everyone on board. As panic spreads among a train full of celebrities and elite passengers, DeeDee and Tess must step up to save the day. With help from President Gagwell (RuPaul) and a woman with glasses (Rachel Bloom), they just might pull it off.

Featuring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Monét X Change, Matt Rogers, Nicole Richie, Chris Parnell, and Lisa Rinna—among many, many others—Stop! That! Train! is a star-studded affair and guaranteed instant Queer classic.
FRI, MAY 22 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

CLOSING NIGHT GALA

HEALS
Dir. Pailin Wedel* | Thailand | 2026 | 102 mins | Thai and English with English subtitles | Documentary | World Premiere
Heals traces the life of international drag star Pangina Heals from a traumatic childhood to becoming Asia’s first drag queen with a Las Vegas residency.

Behind the lashes and laughter is Pan Pan Narkprasert, a Queer Thai artist who transformed pain into power. Once a lonely, bullied child, Pan Pan found refuge in drag—and through it, rose to become one of Asia’s most celebrated performers. This intimate documentary follows his journey from family turmoil to a groundbreaking Las Vegas residency, set against the vibrant backdrop of Thailand’s Queer culture. Raw and emotionally charged, Heals explores how drag becomes more than performance: it is a means of healing intergenerational trauma, reclaiming identity within a traditional Thai-Chinese family, and building a chosen family of one’s own.
SAT, MAY 30 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

RE:FOCUS GALA

GIVE ME THE BALL!
Dir. Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff | United States | 2026 | 102 mins | English | Documentary | Toronto Premiere
Billie Jean King is a global icon whose impact on tennis and equality resonates around the world. But the personal turmoil behind this transformational figure has, in many ways, remained hidden from view. Give Me the Ball! shines an overdue spotlight on the sacrifices King was forced to make behind the scenes.

From struggling to escape an unhappy marriage and hiding her sexual orientation, to facing an eating disorder and staring down misogyny at every turn, her march to triumph was a long and often lonely one. The film reveals King as the relentless fighter she was compelled to become, taking on high-profile battles to professionalise her sport and demand equal treatment for women. Through a trove of rarely-seen archival material and powerfully honest interviews with King herself, this film explores the depths of agony she endured so that others might follow on a less painful path. It is the story of selflessness, struggle, and triumph that celebrates a figure who is widely admired but never properly understood —until now.
SAT, MAY 23 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

CENTREPIECE GALA

I COME HOME
Dir. Glen Wood* | Canada | 2026 | 97 mins | English and French | Drama | World Premiere
It’s stressful enough attending the wedding of your normie sister to the guy next door, especially when the event is presided over by your controlling and dysfunctional parents. Now try doing it with your two polyamorous partners in tow.

In Glen Wood’s honest and emotionally complex feature debut, we meet Christine (Hannah Cheesman) and longtime partner Alex (Carlos Gonzalez-Vio) as they’re finding their rhythm with a new, younger partner, Stephane (Ryan Ali). When Christine discovers she’s unexpectedly pregnant, all three have very different reactions, causing tensions to arise. To make matters worse, much of this plays out at the wedding of Christine’s sister, Kat (Jordan Hayes), where the throuple must navigate judgmental relatives as well as their own, very complicated feelings.
TUE, MAY 26 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

LEVITICUS
Dir. Adrian Chiarella | Australian | 2026 | 88 mins | English | Horror | Canadian Premiere
It Follows meets Heated Rivalry: Adrian Chiarella’s Leviticus confronts conversion therapy, religious fanaticism, and the turbulence of coming of age, emerging as a thrilling, deeply poignant addition to the Queer horror genre.

In a small, isolated Australian town, little ever seems to happen— until it does. Naim (Joe Bird) and Ryan (Stacy Clausen), seated with their families in church, communicate through stolen glances, guarding a secret that could cost them everything. When it’s exposed, their families intervene, determined to “save” them from a life they refuse to accept. But the ritual meant to cure them unleashes something far more dangerous. Now, hunted by a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most—in their case, each other—the boys must work together to break the curse or risk being torn apart forever.
FRI, MAY 29 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

PREMIERES

GUGU’S WORLD (FEITO PIPA)
Dir. Allan Deberton | Brazil | 2026 | 93 mins | Portuguese with English subtitles | Drama | Canadian Premiere
With a football at his feet and a heart that refuses to fit within the lines drawn for him, Gugu is a young boy with a larger-than life spirit. But as his grandmother’s health begins to decline, the dazzling inner world and support system that sustain him are at risk of slipping away.

Gugu (Yuri Gomes) is an almost 12-year-old who dreams of becoming a soccer player, living under the loving, open-minded care of his grandmother, Dilma (Teca Pereira), whose warmth allows him to simply be himself. In their small community by the Araújo Lima reservoir—now slowly drying up and revealing the ghostly remains of a submerged town—the two share a quiet yet powerful bond that shields them from the disapproval of Gugu’s father and those around them. As long-buried memories resurface, subtle shifts begin to unsettle their routine: Dilma grows increasingly fragile, and Gugu, determined to preserve their fragile world, is forced to confront the possibility of losing the only safe haven he has ever known
SUN, MAY 24 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

HUNKY JESUS
Dir. Jennifer M. Kroot | United States | 2026 | 85 mins | English | Drama | North American Premiere
Join the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as San Franciscans gather to present their most creative interpretations of an iconic figure (twink Jesus, anyone?) where only one lucky contestant will be crowned the official Hunky Jesus.

For more than 45 years, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have served San Francisco’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities with compassion, activism, and bucket loads of joy. From producing one of the first community pamphlets about HIV/AIDS during the early days of the epidemic to championing education, outreach, and Queer visibility, the Sisters have long combined information with positivity for those who needed it most. Filmmaker Jennifer M. Kroot (To Be Takei, The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin) returns to shine a spotlight on one of the organisation’s most beloved traditions: its annual Easter celebration.
SUN, MAY 24 • 1:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
Digital screening available

IVÁN & HADOUM
Dir. Ian de la Rosa | Spain, Germany, Belgium | 2026 | 100 mins | Spanish and Arabic with English subtitles | Drama | Canadian Premiere
In a greenhouse in southern Spain, Iván falls in love with newly hired coworker, Hadoum. However, his long-awaited promotion interferes with their relationship, forcing Iván to decide what kind of person he wants to be.

Iván’s (Silver Chicón) days always seem the same but newly-hired packer Hadoum (Herminia Loh), who has returned to Almería after years away, changes everything when a love without judgment blooms between them. But these star-crossed lovers are put under immediate strain as external forces—culture, identity, class, and economic aspirations—threaten to turn their dream into a nightmare. Ian de la Rosa’s feature directorial debut beautifully explores how romantic connection can triumph, even when faced with the mundane socioeconomic pressures and traditional mindsets that seek to pull us apart.
THU, MAY 28 • 9:15PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

PERFECT
Dir. Millicent Hailes* | United States | 2026 | 94 mins | English | Drama | International Premiere
In a world devastated by a contaminated water supply, Kai, a lost and guarded soul, finds herself living out of her car after a bad breakup. When a chance stop in a small town offers her a rare sense of shelter and connection, she’s faced with a choice: remain closed off, or risk opening herself to something new.

With both clean water and human connection in short supply, each day is a struggle for Kai (Ashley Moore) until her journey leads her to a hidden utopian lake, where the water is pure and life flourishes. At this secret haven, Kai encounters a band of eccentric misfits, each with their own stories of loss and hope. Among them is Mallory (Julia Fox), an enigmatic and wealthy pregnant woman living out an escapist fantasy. Despite their starkly different backgrounds, Kai and Mallory are drawn to each other, and a sudden, passionate romance ignites. As their bond deepens, it is also threatened as Kai begins to uncover the layers of Mallory’s life and the secrets she harbours.
SAT, MAY 23 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

OUT OF THE WOODS
Dir. Sal Bardo* | United States | 2026 | 92 mins | English | Documentary | World Premiere
Featuring stellar performances by Frances Fisher, Mimi Kennedy, and Bruce Davison, Out of the Woods follows Max at a pivotal turning point in her life. Just as her memory begins to fail, an old friend reenters her world, complicating an already uncertain time.

Max (Frances Fisher) is gradually losing her memory. As she struggles to confront and accept this new reality alongside her husband and daughter, the unexpected return of Diana (Mimi Kennedy) brings unresolved feelings back to the surface. Through fragments of memory and rediscovered letters, a hidden part of Max’s past begins to reemerge. As her condition progresses, Max is forced to make a difficult choice: spend the precious time she has left with the woman she has always loved, or remain loyal to the husband who has stood by her.
SUN MAY 24 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
Digital screening available

SPOTLIGHT ON CANADA

ANTIDIVA: THE CAROLE POPE CONFESSIONS
Dir. Michelle Mama* | Canada | 2026 | 89 mins | English | Documentary
Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions is a raw, rollicking portrait of Carole Pope—music icon, provocateur, and queer trailblazer whose fearless voice and unapologetic sexuality reshaped rock ‘n’ roll. From the underground grit of 1970s Toronto to opening for David Bowie, Pope’s incendiary lyrics and magnetic presence shattered expectations of what a woman, let alone a lesbian, could be onstage.

More than a music doc, Antidiva is a time capsule of queer resistance and chosen family, charting Pope’s creative symbiosis with Kevan Staples, her complicated relationships, and the bittersweet realities of aging in an industry that sidelines outsiders. Through archival treasure, electrifying performances, and present-day vérité, director Michelle Mama captures Pope’s contradictions: tough yet tender, jaded yet vibrantly alive. Featuring k.d. lang, Peaches, Jann Arden, and Rufus Wainwright, Antidiva stands as a battle cry for self-expression, queer joy, and the artists who refuse to be tamed.
SAT, MAY 23 • 4:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

IN THE CLOSET
Dir. Ajahnis Charley* | Canada | 2026 | 72 mins | English | Drama | World Premiere
Figuring out who you are is messy—especially when the world is telling you that you’re “not non-binary enough”. In this equally hilarious and heartwarming docuseries, comedian and host Ajahnis Charley raids their enby besties’ closets looking to affirm both their identity and their hotness.

Ajahnis is joined by iconic comedian Bren D’Souza, and enables their use of psychedelics—psychedelic prints, that is. Actor Amanda Cordner challenges Ajahnis to a dance-off, and improviser to the stars D.J. Mausner breaks down their upscale-playful-masculine-sleazy style. Creator Meg MacKay brings dress-up back, and drag queen extraordinaire Chelazon Leroux explores the deeper meaning behind their iconic red dress. Clothing will be swapped, laughs will be had, and tears will be shed. That’s tears, not tears— no clothing was harmed in the making of this show!
SUN, MAY 24 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

LUNAR SWAY
Dir. Nick Butler* | Canada | 2026 | 98 mins | English | Drama | Canadian Premiere
In this dark, quirky comedy, we follow the handsome Cliff (Noah Parker) through a series of misadventures—sexual, romantic, familial, criminal, and otherwise—in the small desert town of Mooncrest.

Cliff spends his days making neon signs, thinking about his ex-boyfriend, quietly borrowing money from his parents, and sparring with his therapist. His routine is upended when a woman (Liza Weil) arrives in town claiming to be his birth mother. Close behind her comes another woman (Grace Glowicki), who claims to be a bounty hunter and warns Cliff that nothing is as it seems. What follows is a coming-of-age story with a surreal, dreamlike edge, drifting through a world of seedy motels, unexpected sexual encounters, low-level scams, and some truly stellar fringed cowboy shirts.
SAT, MAY 23 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3
Digital screening available

TRACY & MARTINA: GOIN’ OUT WEST
Dir. Brendan Lyle* | Canada | 2025 | 77 mins | English | Comedy | Toronto Premiere
If Barb and Star were headed to the West Edmonton Mall instead of Vista Del Mar, this offbeat and wildly entertaining mockumentary would be the result.

If you’ve ever prepared for a trip by cashing in your empties or packing your clothes into a Sobeys bag, you may have found your people in Tracy (Justine Williamson) and Martina (Greg Vardy), two best friends from Cape Breton who got famous online by documenting their distinctly East Coast lifestyles. Tracy & Martina: Goin’ Out West follows the duo as they head to Alberta on tour to open for a local band. But when plans fall through and resentments rise to the surface, they must band together to find a way home or risk being stuck in Alberta forever (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
WED, MAY 27 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
Digital screening available

ICONS

A DEEPER LOVE: THE STORY OF MISS PEPPERMINT
Dir. Oriel Pe’er | United States | 2025 | 86 mins | English | Documentary | Toronto Premiere
A Deeper Love: The Story of Miss Peppermint follows trailblazing performer and activist Peppermint across nearly a decade of her life and career, capturing her journey from the underground stages of nightlife to global visibility through RuPaul’s Drag Race and her groundbreaking appearances on Broadway.

Moving between intimate private moments and major public milestones, this highly entertaining and insightful documentary reveals the realities behind the spotlight: the struggle to survive as a working artist, the pressure of becoming a symbol, and the friendships that sustain her along the way. Executive produced by Elliot Page and Bob the Drag Queen, and featuring appearances from icons including Laverne Cox, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, and Sasha Velour, the film expands beyond a single biography to explore the vibrant Queer community that surrounds and inspires Peppermint. At its heart, A Deeper Love is a story about persistence, chosen family, and the power of Queer artists to shape culture while fighting to live authentically
SAT, MAY 23 • 11:45 AM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

THE BRITTNEY GRINER STORY
Dir. Alexandria Stapleton | United States | 2026 | 105 mins | English | Documentary | Canadian Premiere
This personal and profound odyssey follows basketball star Brittney Griner from her playing career, harrowing imprisonment in Russia, and through the extraordinary geopolitical battle to bring her home.

Like so many talents of women’s basketball before her, U.S. star Brittney Griner pursues a better financial opportunity by playing in Russia. In 2022, she was detained by Russian authorities, and her high-profile imprisonment set off a far-ranging geopolitical struggle, one that would reach the highest levels of power in Washington, D.C. and Moscow. This extraordinary odyssey tells the tumultuous story of a towering presence on and off the court, including the circumstances that led her to Russia, the unwavering determination to return home, and her renewed perspective upon securing her freedom.
SUN, MAY 24 • 11:45 AM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

OUT LAWS
Dir. James Lewis, Lexi Powner | United Kingdom, Namibia | 2026 | 79 mins | English | Documentary | International Premiere
One part striking Queer history lesson and one part introduction to some of the most courageous activists of our time, Out Laws follows three litigants putting their own lives at risk to make their countries safer places for 2SLGBTQ+ people.

Friedel Dausab is at the heart of a battle centuries in the making. Challenging Namibia’s criminalization of same-sex love, Friedel becomes a beacon of hope for countless Queer Namibians who long for freedom and safety. Amid death threats, relentless public scrutiny, and the chilling spectre of a serial killer, Friedel takes his country to court. The film traces the roots of this injustice: an ancient and enduring legacy born in Tudor England, spread through colonialism, and amplified by contemporary Christian evangelism. Prominent Queer historians illuminate this history as Friedel joins fellow activists Rosanna (Sri Lanka) and Raven (Barbados) in London, where they prepare to deliver a rousing speech at Pride, and await Friedel’s judgment
SAT, MAY 30 • 2:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
Digital screening available

THE ROAD TO SYDNEY
Dir. Benito Bautista* | United States, Canada, Philippines | 2026 | 100 mins | English and Tagalog | Documentary | International Premiere
Filmmaker Benito Bautista introduces us to Sydney, a renowned choreographer who left the Philippines to follow her dreams as a dancer. After years of putting her own needs on the back burner, she has finally transitioned into the woman she always knew she was—though this journey comes with its own set of challenges.

The Road to Sydney follows Filipina choreographer Sydney Loyola, who found refuge and happiness in dance while navigating a difficult childhood in Palawan. Now living in San Francisco, Sydney has finally decided to put herself first, beginning her medical transition with the support of her chosen family. However, her path is soon complicated by the harsh realities of job loss and eviction. Seeking a way forward, Sydney travels back to her hometown in Palawan, returning as her true self for the first time. Her journey proves that no matter the obstacles, following your heart will always lead you to the right destination.
SAT, MAY 23 • 4:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
Digital screening available

WE ARE PAT
Dir. Rowan Haber | United States | 2025 | 92 mins | English | Documentary | Toronto Premiere
Many iconic Saturday Night Live characters made the leap to the big screen in the 1990s: Mary Katherine Gallagher, the Roxbury Guys, Wayne and Garth, and, of course, Pat. These films are unmistakably products of their time, but We Are Pat confronts the aging of comedy head-on.

We Are Pat explores the evolution of gender identity and comedy from the ’90s to the present day through the lens of the iconic Saturday Night Live sketch, It’s Pat. The film examines Pat’s origins as a joke rooted in the cultural anxiety of the ’90s while drawing striking parallels to today’s culture wars. To work through its findings, trans and non-binary comedians and culture-makers reimagine the original Pat sketches, using camp and humour in an attempt to reclaim the iconic character. Through these reinterpretations, alongside interviews with Julia Sweeney herself, the film ultimately asks: is Pat worth saving?
SUN, MAY 24 • 4:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

INTERNATIONAL

A SECOND LIFE
Dir. Laurent Slama | France | 2025 | 77 mins | English and French with English subtitles | Drama | Toronto Premiere
On the opening day of the Olympic Games, we meet Elisabeth as she performs the thankless job of taking rich tourists to their apartment rentals across Paris. In one such tourist, she meets her foil, a free spirit who threatens to find fault in her jaded worldview.

Elisabeth (Agathe Rousselle) is barely holding it together under the weight of a deep depression. She finds solace losing herself in Monet’s Waterlilies at the Musée de l’Orangerie, but as tourists flock to Paris, her oasis turns foul. Her last respite from the chaos and overwhelming noise of the city is removing her hearing aids and retreating into silence and herself, but when a rental gets double-booked, and she has to babysit the anything but quiet Elijah (Alex Lawther) until his room is ready, that, too, is now out of reach. While at first glance this appears to be just another obstacle, the brief encounter turns into an unexpected, but vital, connection. Shot almost exclusively on location during the 2024 Olympics, A Second Life captures the vibrancy of Paris in full bloom.
FRI, MAY 29 • 9:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3
Digital screening available

BLACK BURNS FAST
Dir. Sandulela Asanda | South Africa | 2026 | 96 mins | English and Xhosa with English subtitles | Romantic Comedy | Canadian Premiere
A film about the joy that comes from owning one’s own story and identity, Black Burns Fast follows a bookish scholarship student at a prestigious boarding school whose rigid life is upended by the arrival of a magnetic new student.

Behind the doors of a prestigious all-girls boarding school in South Africa, another year of academic politics, cliques, and head-scratching teenage shenanigans is afoot, and 17-year-old Luthando (Esihle Ndleleni) is unfortunately getting wrapped up in it. As the poster child and designated gifted scholarship girl of the school, Luthando is determined to not make a splash; meet her overzealous religious mother’s expectation; and succeed with little notice from the sharks. However, that hope is thrown out the window when new student Ayanda (Muadi Ilung) steps onto campus. A budding romance sparks an internal change that is expressed boldly in Sandulela Asanda’s vibrant, funny, and wholesome coming-of-age teen romcom.
SUN, MAY 24 • 4:00PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
Digital screening available

DRUNKEN NOODLES
Dir. Lucio Castro | United States, Argentina | 2025 | 81 mins | English and Spanish with English subtitles | Drama | Toronto Premiere
Drunken Noodles follows an art student through space and time in this collection of intimate encounters ranging from the mundane to the magical.

Adnan (Laith Khalifeh) finds himself alone in Brooklyn, but a clandestine meeting on a warm summer night with a delivery driver-cum-poet brings the echo of past lovers to the forefront of his mind. Set across two summers, we join Adnan on an odyssey through memory as he meets the alluring men of his past, whose influence still lingers in his present. In Drunken Noodles, director Lucio Castro expertly captures the dreamlike sensuality of midsummer’s twilight. Alive with a sense of freedom and possibility, this film is as savoury and sweet as its namesake.
FRI, MAY 29 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

MADDIE’S SECRET
Dir. John Early | United States | 2025 | 98 mins | English | Drama
Maddie’s Secret, comedian John Early’s debut feature, masterfully blends the campy tone and aesthetic of a 1980s movie-of-the- week with a deeply affecting portrait of a young woman struggling with an eating disorder.

From the outside, Maddie Ralph (John Early) seems to have it all: a solid partner (Eric Rahill); a career she loves creating food-related content; and a supportive, loving best friend (Kate Berlant). But beneath this carefully curated life lies a dark history of self-harm and disordered eating that now threatens to resurface. As her struggle inches closer to the surface, Maddie enters a treatment program where she is forced to confront the person at the root of many of her issues: her mother (Kristen Johnston). Expertly balancing sharp comedy with emotional depth, and elevated by nuanced, pitch-perfect performances from some of today’s most compelling comedic actors, the film is an experience you truly have to see to believe.
THU, MAY 28 • 7:00PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

MY BROTHERS KILLER
Dir. Rachel Mason | United States | 2026 | 95 mins | English | Documentary | Canadian Premiere
Just before Halloween of 1990, the decapitated head of Billy London, a gay adult film actor, was found in a West Hollywood dumpster. For over 30 years, Billy’s unsolved murder has haunted his family, friends, and police investigators. Could new clues finally solve the mystery?

This gripping true crime documentary chronicles the quest to find out who killed 25-year-old William Arnold Newton. Under the name Billy London, he worked both in front of and behind the camera in Los Angeles’s gay adult video industry. Several people connected to the industry were once suspects, including Billy’s ex-boyfriend, Marc Rabins, and Jeffrey Dahmer. But the lack of concrete evidence continued to stump the LA Police Department—until relentless amateur investigation uncovered some promising new leads. Director Rachel Mason (Circus of Books) mixes archival footage and new interviews to show how those who cared about Billy never stopped trying to bring him justice.
SAT, MAY 23 • 1:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

ON THE SEA
Dir. Helen Walsh | United Kingdom | 2025 | 111 mins | English | Drama | Canadian Premiere
Middle-aged Jack (Barry Ward) is faced with a dilemma: should he continue his life with his wife and son, or start a new one with Daniel, a charming younger man he recently met?

Set in a remote fishing village in North Wales, this atmospheric and moving film follows Jack as he faces a difficult choice. Jack is married to Maggie (Liz White) and a father to teenage Tom (Henry Lawfull), who Jack hopes will follow him into the family mussel business. When Daniel (Lorne MacFadyen), a deckhand, arrives in town, Jack’s long buried desire to be with a man surfaces, and the two begin a steamy and tender affair. As the affair grows, Daniel wants more but Jack is reluctant to give it. He still values his married life but also wants to explore living openly with a man. Which will he choose and what will he have to give up in the process?
SAT, MAY 23 • 9:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

SHE’S THE HE
Dir. Siobhan McCarthy | United States | 2025 | 81 mins | English | Comedy | Canadian Premiere
Siobhan McCarthy’s feature debut brings us the high school coming-of-age comedy you knew you needed. With authenticity and joy both behind and in front of the lens, She’s The He delivers a refreshing, warm, and hilarious story about acceptance, friendship, and trans joy.

One week before their high school graduation, best friends Alex (Nico Carney) and Ethan (Misha Osherovich) concoct a plan to finally dispel the rumours that they’re gay… By coming out as trans women. With newfound access to the girls’ locker room, Alex’s goal to lose his virginity before college seems to be on track, while Ethan slowly realises that her new identity is starting to feel more real than the one she left behind. The two must reckon with their changing friendship, coming out, and coming of age.
TUE, MAY 26 • 6:45PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

SKIFF
Dir. Cecilia Verheyden | Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden | 2025 | 106 mins | French and Flemish with English subtitles | Drama | Toronto Premiere
SKIFF captures the volatile intensity of coming-of-age, unfolding over a summer that feels both liberating and tense. With sensitivity and restraint, the film traces 15-year-old Malou’s journey through self-discovery, where innocence gives way to experience, and every decision carries a deeper consequence.

Malou (Femke Vanhove) lives in a small town where she struggles to make friends but excels in the local rowing club. Growing up with a mother who is often absent, and bullied by her teammates, Malou sees her brother Max (Wout Vleugels) as the only person with whom she can truly be herself. When Max brings home his new girlfriend, Nouria (Lina Miftah), Malou finds herself drawn to her and, as the two spend more time together, it begins to appear that the feeling is mutual. Plunged into a complex and turbulent love triangle over the course of the summer, Malou will have to accept herself as she truly is, but can she do so without hurting her beloved brother?
SAT, MAY 30 • 6:45PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
Digital screening available

WHAT WILL I BECOME?
Dir. Lexie Bean, Logan Rozos | United States | 2026 | 86 mins | English | Documentary | Canadian Premiere
In a world where trans rights remain fragile, directors Lexie Bean and Logan Rozos use a lens of love and honesty to delve into the harsh reality of the high suicide rate within the transmasculine community.

What Will I Become? intertwines the personal experiences of directors Lexie and Logan with the stories of two young trans men who died by suicide. Homecoming king Blake Brockington and animal lover Kyler Prescott were poets, musicians, and community advocates. The film traces their joys and challenges, their deaths, and the aftermath within their communities. What Will I Become? asks why transmasculine people are particularly vulnerable to living briefly and dying quietly, while providing hope that community, prevention practices, and genuine care can change the future for those who remain.
SAT, MAY 30 • 4:15PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
Digital screening available

WHISPERINGS OF THE MOON
Dir. Yuqing Lai | Cambodia,China, Hong Kong, India | 2025 | 87 mins | Khmer and English with English subtitles | Drama | Canadian Premiere
Whisperings of the Moon, the debut feature from late filmmaker Yuqing Lai, is a tender, time-shifting portrait of love, memory, and loss from a singular artistic voice whose vision knew no bounds.

Following her father’s death, theatre actor Nisay (Sopheanith Thong) returns from New York to Phnom Penh, where she is unexpectedly reunited with Thida (Deka Nine), her former lover. As past and present intertwine, the film traces the quiet intensity of their secret relationship and the forces that drove them apart. Now, under the weight of family and societal expectations, can their passion endure beyond memory and performance—or is it destined to fade once more?
SUN, MAY 24 • 9:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3
Digital screening available

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

Inside Out 2026 Digital Program Guide here.
Inside Out 2026 Downloadable Digital Program Guide here.

Inside Out is made possible by the generous and steadfast support of funders, donors, and sponsors including Lead Sponsor RBC, Presenting Sponsor Netflix, and Premier Sponsor Crave. We are grateful for the support of numerous Major Sponsors, Supporting Sponsors and in-kind partners who help bring the Festival to life, as well as public funders the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, the City of Toronto, 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: INSIDE OUT TORONTO 2SLGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STRATEGIC PLAN

The Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival, Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival dedicated to celebrating queer cinema from Canada and around the world, opened 2026 with a significant new chapter. The organisation welcomes Carly Beath as Executive Director, unveils a new five-year strategic plan and launches Run It Back: A League of Our Own, a year-round screening series.

Carly Beath joins Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival with nearly twenty years of experience in the non-profit arts and culture sector. A proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, she brings both lived experience and deep sector knowledge to this leadership role. Her professional background includes senior leadership positions in fundraising, government relations, communications, and program development. Most recently, Beath served as Director of Development at the Canadian Film Centre.

“Joining the Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival team is an incredible opportunity to contribute to its lasting impact as an organisation that amplifies a diversity of vital queer stories that connect, challenge and inspire,” said Carly Beath, Executive Director of Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival. “I look forward to meeting our community of attendees and supporters and creating meaningful experiences for everyone who comes to an Inside Out event.”

Beath assumes the role at a pivotal moment for the organisation. Inside Out’s newly launched five-year strategic plan outlines a clear roadmap, centred on audience engagement, programmatic excellence and financial stability. Guided by an updated mission, the plan reinforces the festival’s commitment to connecting filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences through inclusive, diverse storytelling, while nurturing the next generation of creators.

As part of the expanded vision, Inside Out launched Run It Back: A League of Our Own, a new year-round programming initiative that extends the festival’s presence beyond its annual dates. Taking place during Toronto’s landmark year for sports and culture, the program shines a spotlight on stories of teamwork, resilience, gender equity, and queer community on and off the field.

The series kicks off on Friday, January 29 at the Paradise Theatre with a double feature of audience-favourite sports classics: A League of Their Own, starring Academy Award® winners Tom Hanks and Geena Davis, alongside Emmy Award-winner Rosie O’Donnell and Grammy Award-winner Madonna, followed by the queer classic The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy, starring Timothy Olyphant, Dean Cain and Zach Braff.

Upcoming Run It Back: A League of Our Own screening dates include Saturday March 14, Monday May 4, Thursday July 16, and Thursday October 8. Film details will be announced on the Inside Out website and social channels. Tickets are available here.

The year-round lineup will reflect the festival’s commitment to embracing bold, timely, and diverse storytelling with the 36th edition of the Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival serving as the centrepiece of the program.

The 2026 Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival will take place this year from May 22 to May 31, in person at TIFF Lightbox and online. Tickets and full programming details will be announced in late April.

About Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ 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+ International Finance Forum and the RE:Focus Fund. Inside Out is a Canadian Academy qualifying festival.

Follow on social:

Facebook: @InsideOutFilmFestival

Instagram: @insideoutfestival

Website: https://insideout.ca/

#FIRSTLOOK: ELIE CHIVI STEPS DOWN AT INSIDE OUT

Inside Out, Canada’s leading organisation dedicated to 2SLGBTQ+ film and arts, announces a leadership transition as its Executive Director, Elie Chivi, has decided to step down from his role, effective September 29th, 2025. Elie will be relocating to Los Angeles, California, to pursue new opportunities within the film industry.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend heartfelt thanks to Elie for his passion, dedication, and visionary leadership over the past five years,” said Christopher McKenzie, Board Chair, Inside Out. “Under Elie’s stewardship, Inside Out has experienced remarkable growth and stability. He has played a pivotal role in guiding the organisation’s strategic direction, expanding revenue streams, and cultivating impactful partnerships with sponsors and funders. His leadership was instrumental in the successful execution of Inside Out’s renowned nine-day Toronto festival, a vital platform for celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ storytelling, community, and culture. Additionally, Elie launched and developed Inside Out’s flagship fundraising event, Outbid, now entering its third year.”

“It’s bittersweet to share that I will be stepping down from my role as Executive Director of Inside Out. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead such an inspiring organisation over the past five years. I take pride in the achievements we’ve accomplished together and believe that now is the right time to pass the torch to new leadership, who will guide Inside Out into its next chapter. As I embark on a new journey in Los Angeles, I’ll be pursuing opportunities that allow me to continue making a meaningful impact within mission-driven organisations,” said Elie Chivi.

The Board appreciates Elie’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and is grateful that he will remain in his role over the coming weeks.

To facilitate the search for a new Executive Director, Inside Out has formed a Search Committee composed of Board members, HR committee members, and other advisors. The committee will oversee an open, transparent, and inclusive process to find a leader who can continue building upon Inside Out’s strong foundation and advance its mission with creativity, compassion, and community focus.

Inside Out deeply values its audiences, filmmakers, and partners across Canada and beyond. The organisation remains dedicated to its mission, and we will continue to keep stakeholders informed throughout this transition. We look forward to introducing the next Executive Director in the months ahead.

About Inside Out
Inside Out is Canada’s leading organisation dedicated to making, sharing, and celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ film and arts, fostering community and storytelling for over 30 years.

#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.