Featured Films

From the director of Teddy comes Communication: a young, handsome Jewish man has finally figured out a path for himself in college with the mentoring of his professor. After graduation, their relationship enters an area that neither one of them is entirely sure about. Gayby finds college friends Matt (gay) and Jenn (straight) deciding to have a baby… only one question remains: How? When a handsome young man decides to leave his older female lover in He She We, his escape plan is foiled when her early return coincides with his new lover’s arrival. Who Would You? proves that some questions are better left unanswered---particularly when you might not be ready for the candid response!. From the director of Chased (NCGLFF 2009) comes Triple Standard, a story about a homophobic ex-basketball star who’s forced to realize that he’s gay. It’s in the Genes is a very different coming-out story of acceptance, love, and equal rights. In the beautifully photographed 306, someone is finally coming back home. Our gorgeous protagonist couldn’t be any happier, but duty calls and he must work tonight instead of waiting at home for his sweetie.

Viewer’s guide: Nudity and language.

BearCity is a fun, light-hearted comedic romp (think a hairy Sex and the City) about a subset of queer culture that hardly ever gets the cinematic spotlight! Tyler fantasizes about finding a Daddy bear to do more than cuddle. But it can be hard for a hairless guy to get some fuzzy loving. Brent and Fred are the maybe-not-so-monogamous couple who invite him to move in as they figure out how to spice things up. Southern bear-belle Michael struggles to juggle his lover, his job search and his body image issues, but an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction might solve all three. Rakish Roger is the stud-about-town, and he’ll pretty much bang anyone with facial hair. That is, until an awesomely awkward encounter at the local bowling alley challenges both his bowling prowess and his bear-loving mojo.

Viewer’s guide: Nudity, language, and drug usage.

Poor Ryan is a dancer who just can't seem to get laid in Everybody is Having Sex…But Ryan. Even his last date ended up going home with his best friend Dustin. What’s a guy gotta do to get some action? Is it possible that what Ryan’s looking for is right in front of him? In the hilarious Go Go Reject, skinny Daniel can’t catch a break in the dog-eat-dog world of go go dancing. Rubdown follows along with a “secret shopper” who’s getting an undercover massage that might not be under the covers at all. A blind date turns into an epic wait for a man of mystery in Waiting 4 Goliath, a charming romantic dramedy about finding love in the world of online dating. Two children play with their dolls (Miley Cyrus and her BFF Mandy) to explain what ‘Gay’ means in this sick puppet animation cavalcade of perversions in Little BFFs. From the director of Daddy’s Big Girl (NCGLFF 2008) comes You Can’t Curry Love, a story about a handsome East Indian from London visits India and falls for a local guy. Deaf Relay: At Your Service is a hilarious inside look at the high-tech critical communications services as a tireless operator provides 24-hour a day assistance to our fellow citizens.

Viewer’s guide: Nudity and language.

Aaron is a devoted father, a dutiful husband, and a faithfully devout student of the Talmud who runs a local kosher butcher shop. One day, he comes across a handsome young outsider named Ezri. Aaron offers the young student a place to stay and a job as his apprentice, but soon the professional relationship gives way for feelings of attraction that the two men cannot resist. Now, public denouncements of “sin and uncleanliness” threaten to crumble Aaron’s business and his family. He must choose between the man that has brought him a happiness he has never known or the established life he has been living. Eyes Wide Open was a selection of the prestigious Cannes and Toronto International Film Festival. In Hebrew with English subtitles.

Viewer’s guide: Nudity and violence.

From Robert Gaston, the director of 2 Minutes Later and Open Cam comes this mystery-thriller filmed entirely in North Carolina! Young Beetle Hobbs wants out of his small town and sees his ticket in Grady Wilson. Set in the desolate Smoky Mountains, Grady has recently left the big city to become the proprietor of a resort lodge. When Beetle joins Grady's staff, he gives new meaning to the adage 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'. A stunning ensemble cast steer this original tale of chilling suspense as different shades of gray ignite a battle between good and evil. Flight of the Cardinal possesses a rare combination of heart and soul with edge-of-your-seat suspense. This powerful film stars Ross Beschler, David J Bonner, Claire Bowerman, Matthew Montgomery and Liz Douglas.

Viewer’s guide: Language, drug use, violence, and nudity.

In 2005, writer-director Ricky Reidling presented his first feature film, Boystown, at NCGLFF. Now he’s back with his second film, a gay romantic comedy set within the world of modern cabaret dancers. When Kevin Richards loses his third job in six months, his girlfriend Teresa gives him one week to find another job and get his act together…or he’ll be finding a new girlfriend. At a cabaret club one night to celebrate a friend’s engagement, Kevin overhears the emcee announcing an upcoming talent contest and its big cash prize. Cash, you say? Ooh-la-la! In desperation, he rushes backstage and convinces Celeste, one of the female impersonators, to show him the ropes about drag. But just when Kevin thinks this “gig” will be short-lived, he discovers a lot about himself and what he really wants out of life. This is one zany comedy you will not want to miss! Heels website.

Viewer’s guide: Nudity and language.

Academy Award winning documentarians Rob Epstein (The Times of Harvey Milk, Celluloid Closet) and Jeffrey Friedman (Celluloid Closet) bend genres to depict the spark of a literary revolution. James Franco shines as a handsome young Allen Ginsberg, making waves with his poem, Howl. The film is a hybrid of stories, including the famous Ginsberg reading of Howl at the Six Gallery. It also includes an imagined recreation of an unpublished interview allegedly given to Time in 1957; Howl’s obscenity trial in a San Francisco courtroom; and vivid and luminous animation by Ginsberg collaborator Eric Drooker, capturing the essence of the poem. An impressive cast adds depth to this masterpiece of a film, including David Strathaim, Jon Hamm, Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker and Treat Williams.

Painfully single writer Blaine is reminded daily of his awkwardness around other L.A. gays who are more attractive than himself. While on a personal quest to find the guy who possesses more substance than just what’s “behind the zipper,” Blaine meets Xander, in an online chat room. They connect on a very intimate level and decide to meet in person. But there’s a catch: unbeknownst to Blaine, he was logged into his hot roommate Cameron’s online profile. Things quickly get out of hand when this gay Cyrano de Bergerac enlists Cameron to play along as Blaine pretends with Xander to be someone (and something) he’s not. Is It Just Me? website.

Viewer’s guide: Nudity and language.

Mother of the Year is about Joan, a woman who’s raised her only son in the traditional Catholic faith until his shocking announcement on his 22nd birthday: He’s gay and moving in with his Jewish lover! Joan vows to support her son’s relationship with one condition. He has to get married! Hold onto your rosary beads as Joan embarks on the adventure of her life as her son says, “I do.” When parents find out their unborn son is a Gay Baby, an eager store clerk at a very special store calms the father’s nerves and shows him that gay boys are better at more than just disco, decorating and fashion. When the going gets tough for an awkward high school kid in Judgment Day, nothing brings comfort to his heart quite like Judy Garland does. Lost Hills, California is about a mother and her gay son who live together in a trailer park and all the good times they share with their trailer park friends. Mothers is the story of an African-American gay couple who “come-out” to their respective parents and by doing so face both acceptance and rejection. Set in the 80s, Second Guessing Grandma is the story of a young gay man named Ed. While his parents are cool with his sexuality, Ed's Jewish grandmother is horrified by the news. They've always been close, so in response to her trauma, Ed decides it's time to educate Grandma.

Viewer’s guide: Nudity, language, violence, and drug usage.

Role/Play is the fifth feature film from writer/director Rob Williams (Make the Yuletide Gay, 3-Day Weekend, Back Soon, and Long Term Relationship) to premier at NCGLFF! A recently outed soap opera actor crosses paths with a recently divorced gay marriage activist. Hiding out from negative media coverage, the two men meet at a secluded Palm Springs resort, where they soon find common ground as they explore the fickle nature of fame in the gay community and the issues facing gay celebrities in the media. Role/Play stars real-life couple Matthew Montgomery (Redwoods, Flight of the Cardinal) and Steve Callahan (East Side Story), along with Brian Nolan (The Lair) and TV icon Jim J. Bullock.

Viewer’s guide: Nudity and language.

Set on the stunning coast of Peru, this bittersweet Sundance award-winner portrays all members of a bisexual love triangle. Miguel and Mariela are a happily married couple, well-respected in their small seaside fishing village and looking forward to the imminent arrival of their first child. Miguel genuinely adores his devoted wife, yet what Mariela doesn’t know is that when Miguel leaves to allegedly repair fishing nets, he is really going to see Santiago, with whom he has been having a long-lasting affair. Santiago is a ruggedly-handsome and talented painter who keeps a small bungalow retreat on the beach for his weekend excursions into the village. Shunned by the townspeople because of his sexuality, no one truly knows what happened when he suddenly disappears. But Miguel knows the truth: Santiago has drowned and has now to come back as a spirit that only he can see. When local gossip forces Miguel to confront the truth, he must decide whether to move forward with his life or help Santiago’s soul find peace. In Spanish with English subtitles

Viewer’s guide: Nudity and language.

Violet is single, thirty-something, full-figured gal who has seemingly wonderful life. Yet Violet wants to find love. Though she is constantly hanging around hunky, gorgeous men, none are interested in her. You see, Violet is fag hag. At the insistence of a coworker, she decides to ditch the gays in search of her own heterosexual Mr. Right! Violet couldn’t have picked worse time to go asunder. Her promiscuous roommate Luke and his boyfriend Darian have broken up, her friends Markus and Riley are arguing over parenthood, and her go-go dancer friend Zeus is overwhelmed planning his annual AIDS fundraiser. Her gay friends need her, and they won’t give her up without fight! Starring 80’s child star Mindy Cohn (Natalie from Facts of Life) as Violet, the drop-dead gorgeous Marcus Patrick (Days of Our Lives) as the always scantily clad Zeus, and sexy actor & scribe Jesse Archer (Out Magazine) as Luke, this film will tickle your funny bone, warm your heart and provide plenty of eye candy while doing it! Violet Tendencies website.

Viewer’s guide: Nudity and language.

Three hot guys let go of their inhibitions and reveal themselves to the world in clever and sexy short, The Window. After is a poetic exploration of longing – for intimacy, pleasure and unexplored fantasy – that ultimately tears three friends apart. After a car crash leads to one man’s demise in Last Call, it turns out he is given a chance to do things over. From Canada, The Armoire, director Jamie Travis’ resounding finale to his Saddest Children in the World trilogy, is a comedy, mystery and melodrama based on a game of Hide and Seek gone bizarrely awry. When desires for the future are in conflict, friendship and a relationship are torn apart in Little Love. Remission is the dark story of Sam, a man anxiously awaiting the results of a biopsy in his secluded cabin. As his dread amplifies, he realized that he may not be alone. A man has an imaginary conversation with his ex-lover in Closure.

Viewer’s guide: This program contains sensitive material. Nudity, language, graphic sexual content and violence.

A zany, sexy and heartfelt comedy in the spirit of Sordid Lives! A conservative mother sets out to mend her ways of always trying to set up her son with the perfect girl by boldly stepping out into the gay world to find him the perfect boy. Accompanied by her kooky, but lovable sister, the pair wins the hearts of their new LGBT family of friends, but can they set wise the son before he makes the mistake of a lifetime? You Should Meet My Son website.

Viewer’s guide: Language and brief nudity.